You’ll usually pay much less to live in Saudi Arabia than in the U.S. or Western Europe: average household costs are about $1,109 (SAR 4,159) monthly. As a single person expect SAR 2,000–3,000 without rent and SAR 3,500–5,500 including rent; a family of four typically spends SAR 5,000–7,000 without rent and SAR 7,000–11,000 with rent. Housing and city choice drive costs, and below I cover specifics and saving tactics.

Is Saudi Arabia Expensive Compared to Other Countries?

How expensive is Saudi Arabia compared with other countries? You’ll find Saudi Arabia’s cost is substantially lower than many Western nations: consumer prices run about 43% below U.S. levels and roughly 50.9% below France.

That gap shows up in everyday living expenses — basic meals cost $5.99–$7.33, and average monthly cost for a household is about $1,109 (SAR 4,159) in 2024.

Everyday costs are low — meals around $6–$7 and an average household spends about $1,109 monthly.

Rent prices reinforce affordability; a one-bedroom in Riyadh averages $693–$848, which is far below U.S. rents (about 88.5% higher there).

For you evaluating relocation or budgeting, these metrics indicate lower baseline expenditures across housing, food, and general consumption.

Use consumer prices and rent prices as core comparators when modeling scenarios: they’ll drive most variance in your monthly outflows.

In short, the data suggest Saudi Arabia is budget-friendly relative to major Western economies, reducing typical living expenses without implying uniform low cost across all categories.

Average Monthly Cost of Living for Individuals and Families

To plan your budget in Saudi Arabia, expect a single person’s monthly costs (excluding rent) around SAR 2,000–3,000 (USD 533–800) and SAR 3,500–5,500 (USD 933–1,466) with rent.

For a family of four, monthly expenses typically range SAR 5,000–7,000 (USD 1,333–1,866) excluding rent and SAR 7,000–11,000 (USD 1,866–2,933) including rent.

Rent, groceries (SAR 400–600 for individuals; SAR 1,000–1,500 for families) and utilities (SAR 365–580) are the primary cost drivers you’ll need to account for.

Single-Person Monthly Budget

Curious what it costs to live solo in Saudi Arabia? For a single person, average costs (excluding rent) typically run SAR 2,000–3,000 monthly; with rent they rise to SAR 3,500–5,500.

Housing costs in Saudi are your biggest variable: Riyadh and Jeddah demand higher rents, while smaller towns can be 20–30% cheaper.

Expect groceries of SAR 400–600 per month depending on diet. Utilities (water, electricity, gas) add about SAR 365–580 monthly.

Transportation costs depend on vehicle use; petrol averages SAR 2–2.5 per liter, and fuel-dependent commuters should budget accordingly.

Use these figures to model scenarios: no-rent baseline, one-bedroom city rent, and lower-cost town rent to estimate your realistic monthly cost of living.

Family-Of-Four Expenses

If you’re moving from a single-person budget to planning for a family of four, expect monthly costs to rise substantially: including rent and basics, typical spending runs SAR 7,000–11,000. You’ll see housing dominate the cost of living: average rent for a three-bedroom in Riyadh or Jeddah often exceeds SAR 4,000. Excluding rent, you should budget SAR 5,000–7,000 for groceries, utilities and transportation. Education expenses can add SAR 20,000–50,000 yearly for international schools, so factor that into annual planning. Monthly transportation costs average about SAR 600. Below is a concise breakdown to help you model scenarios and prioritize trade-offs between rent, schooling and recurring household costs.

Housing and Rental Prices Across Major Cities

1 clear takeaway: housing costs in Saudi Arabia vary widely by city, but are generally lower than in Western countries.

You’ll find rental prices for one-bedroom apartments differ considerably across major cities, shaping your cost of living.

Riyadh is the most expensive, at $693–$848 monthly.

Mecca is markedly cheaper, at $275–$336.

Cities such as Al Khobar, Medina, Jubail, and Ad Dammam cluster in the $350–$426 range.

Forecasts project an average monthly housing cost of SAR 1,125 per person in 2025, but that masks local variation: Riyadh rents sit well above that mean, Mecca well below.

Compared with the U.S., rent levels in Saudi Arabia are substantially lower—an 88.5% difference has been reported—so your housing budget will generally stretch further.

Use city-specific data when planning; averages can mislead.

Prioritize location relative to work, transport, and amenities to estimate realistic rental expenses rather than relying on national figures alone.

Grocery, Dining Out, and Entertainment Costs

Beyond rent and neighborhoods, your monthly food and leisure spend will shape day-to-day affordability: groceries average about SAR 747 per person, with chicken roughly $3.06–$3.74/kg and red meat $5.15–$6.29/kg, while inexpensive local meals cost SAR 22–27 ($5.99–7.33), and a mid-range three-course dinner for two runs under SAR 187 (~$50). You’ll want to budget using average prices: grocery costs dominate the food line-item, but dining out remains affordable relative to many Western cities. Entertainment costs vary—movie tickets SAR 58–72, gym memberships SAR 325–600 monthly (discounts possible). Use this quick table to compare typical spends.

Plan based on frequency: frequent dining out and gym use materially raise living in Saudi Arabia costs.

Transportation and Fuel Expenses

Transportation costs in Saudi Arabia remain relatively low compared with many countries, driven largely by inexpensive fuel and evolving public transit options: gasoline typically runs $2.09–$2.55 per gallon, taxis start around $2.39–$2.93 with per-mile fees of $2.31–$2.83, and urban bus rides cost roughly $1 each.

You’ll find fuel expenses a major factor lowering your daily mobility costs; with gas under $2.60/gal, driving is economical compared with global norms. Taxi fares are competitive for short trips, though per-mile charges make longer rides costlier.

Public transport expansion (bus networks and growing metro systems) offers reliable low-cost alternatives that can reduce your monthly spend. Expect an average monthly transportation figure near SAR 638 (~$170) in 2025 for a typical resident, but if you own a car plan for considerably higher car ownership costs — maintenance, insurance and depreciation push annualized totals into SAR 49,500–66,000.

Use this data to compare scenarios: public transport versus private car ownership.

Healthcare, Insurance, and Medical Costs

When evaluating healthcare costs in Saudi Arabia, note that citizens access free or heavily subsidized public care while you, as an expatriate, must rely on employer-provided private insurance.

Expect average monthly healthcare costs for expats around SAR 63 per person, but premiums and out-of-pocket fees for private consultations (typically SAR 100–500) can vary by coverage and specialist.

For short stays, basic coverage comes with tourist visas, but you’ll likely want extensive private insurance to minimize unexpected medical bills.

Public vs. Private Care

Although public hospitals largely cover Saudi citizens at low or no cost, you’ll usually rely on private providers as an expatriate and must have employer‑provided health insurance that varies widely in scope and price.

Public healthcare remains heavily subsidized for citizens, but expatriates access private healthcare where average costs are about SAR 63 per person per month for basic coverage.

Private clinic visits typically run SAR 150–500, so your out‑of‑pocket medical expenses depend on plan limits and provider choice.

Expect tradeoffs: faster access and broader services in private facilities versus lower fees but potential delays and restricted access in public hospitals.

Quantify your expected annual spend by combining premium ranges, co‑pays, and likely visit frequency to assess affordability.

Insurance for Expats

Having noted the differences between public and private providers, your next concern is insurance: expats are legally required to hold private health coverage—usually provided by employers—and plan costs and benefits will largely determine your out‑of‑pocket exposure.

For insurance for expats, prioritize evaluating benefit limits, network hospitals, and exclusions because private health insurance is your main access to care; public services are generally off‑limits.

Data show average monthly costs range from SAR 400 to SAR 1,200 depending on age, dependents, and plan tier. Basic tourist insurance is included in visa fees, but extensive coverage reduces financial risk for hospital stays and outpatient treatments.

Model scenarios with premiums, copays, and likely healthcare costs to choose the most cost‑effective plan.

Education, Childcare, and School Fees

If you’re budgeting for family expenses in Saudi Arabia, expect notable variance by age and school type: international primary tuition typically runs SAR 21,000–26,000 per year per child, while international high school can range from SAR 22,500 up to SAR 100,000 annually depending on curriculum and facilities.

You should treat education costs as a major, itemized budget line: international schools add SAR 2,000–4,000 yearly for uniforms, books and activities.

Preschool and daycare average SAR 1,200–1,500 per month; include these under childcare when modeling monthly outflows.

Public schooling is free for Saudi nationals and available to foreign Muslims with only minor fees for materials and outings, so your residency and family status materially affect net expenses.

In projections, segment by child age, school type and extra fees, run scenarios for lower-, mid- and high-tier international schools, and compare total annual costs to household income to assess affordability.

Tips to Save Money While Living in Saudi Arabia

When you map your monthly budget in Saudi Arabia, small strategic choices cut costs measurably: eat at inexpensive local eateries ($6–7 per meal), shop staples at local grocers (chicken $3–3.7/kg, rice ≈ $1/kg), and favor urban buses ($1 per ride) or fuel ($2.09–$2.55/gal) for predictable transport spending.

To save money in Saudi, prioritize local markets and basic meal planning: bulk-buy rice and chicken, freeze portions, and avoid branded imports. Choose housing outside major centers—one-bedroom rent in secondary cities can be $275–$336—and negotiate longer leases to lower monthly cost.

Prioritize local markets, bulk-buy staples, freeze portions, avoid branded imports, and choose affordable housing outside major centers.

Use public transit for daily commuting and reserve car use for errands to limit fuel expense. For healthcare, confirm employer-provided coverage or opt for affordable private plans to avoid out-of-pocket shocks; if eligible, use free public services.

Track monthly spending with simple categories—rent, food, transport, healthcare—to identify shrinking opportunities. These data-driven decisions keep living expenses affordable without sacrificing essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Salary Is Enough to Live in Saudi Arabia?

You’ll need about SAR 5,000–6,000 monthly as a single to live comfortably; for a family of four, target SAR 10,000–14,000. Rent and city choice drive variance, and no personal income tax boosts net savings.

How Much Is Rent in Saudi Arabia in USD?

Rent in Saudi Arabia varies: you’ll pay about $693–$848 monthly in Riyadh, $275–$336 in Mecca, and roughly $350–$426 in Al Khobar, Medina, Jubail, and Ad Dammam, based on one-bedroom averages.

Can a US Citizen Live in Saudi Arabia?

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Yes — you can live in Saudi Arabia with a work visa sponsored by an employer in sectors like healthcare, IT, or engineering; expect employer-provided insurance and variable housing costs.

How Much Does Residence Cost in Saudi Arabia?

Expect residence costs around SAR 1,125 per person monthly on average; one-bedroom rent varies widely—Riyadh SAR ~2,600–3,180, Mecca ~1,030–1,260—plus utilities SAR 365–580, though employers often provide allowances.

Conclusion

In sum, living in Saudi Arabia can be cost-effective or costly depending on your choices: rent and schooling drive budgets, while groceries, fuel, and public health remain relatively affordable. If you prioritize city-center comfort, expect higher expenses; choose suburbs, local schools, and public transport to cut costs. Picture your budget as a balance scale—small adjustments tip it heavily. Use data to plan, monitor monthly spending, and adjust lifestyle choices for the best value.