What does it really cost to live in Saudi Arabia in 2026? Use this cost of living calculator to estimate your monthly budget in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam or any other city, for a single person, a couple or a family. It covers rent, food, transport, utilities and the dependent levy that many budgets forget, and it can check your budget against your salary.
Related: Saudi salary guide 2026 · Iqama fees 2026 · internet packages · all expat tools
Typical Monthly Budgets in 2026
These ranges come from the calculator above with common choices. Your own total depends on where you live and how you spend.
| Household | Monthly total |
|---|---|
| Single, studio, Riyadh, metro or bus | SAR 4,840 – 8,250 |
| Single, shared room, Dammam / Khobar | SAR 2,480 – 4,359 |
| Couple, 2-bedroom flat, Jeddah, taxis | SAR 7,085 – 12,257 |
| Family of 4, family flat, Riyadh, own car | SAR 13,750 – 22,250 |
Housing: Your Biggest Cost
Rent is usually 30% to 50% of an expat budget. Typical monthly rents in 2026:
| City | Studio / 1BR (SAR) | 2-bedroom (SAR) | Family flat 3BR+ (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 2,500 – 4,200 | 4,000 – 6,500 | 5,500 – 8,500 |
| Jeddah | 1,800 – 3,200 | 3,000 – 5,200 | 4,300 – 7,200 |
| Dammam / Khobar | 1,700 – 3,000 | 2,800 – 4,800 | 4,200 – 7,000 |
| Other cities | 1,300 – 2,400 | 2,200 – 3,800 | 3,200 – 5,500 |
Landlords often ask for the year’s rent in advance, in one, two or four payments, so plan for a large first payment plus a deposit and agent fee. All leases should be registered on the Ejar platform.
Good news for Riyadh tenants: since 25 September 2025, annual rent increases on residential and commercial leases in Riyadh are frozen for five years, for existing and new contracts. A unit leased for the first time is priced by agreement, and the freeze does not apply in other cities.
Don’t Forget the Dependent Levy
If your family lives with you on your Iqama, each dependent costs SAR 400 a month (SAR 4,800 a year). For a spouse and two children that is SAR 1,200 a month, money many families only notice when the Iqama renewal arrives. See our Iqama fees guide for the full breakdown.
Other Monthly Costs
- Utilities: electricity bills jump in summer because of air conditioning; budget more from June to September.
- Internet and mobile: home fibre and a mobile plan add a few hundred riyals; compare internet packages.
- Transport: petrol is cheap, but a car loan or rental, insurance and parking add up; the Riyadh Metro and buses are far cheaper for single commuters.
- Food: cooking at home costs much less than eating out; supermarket prices are similar across major cities.
- School fees: international school fees are left out of the default totals because they vary so much. Tick “Include international school fees” in the calculator to add them; for two children in Riyadh this adds roughly SAR 4,200 to 11,700 a month, often the biggest cost for families.
Is Your Salary Enough?
Enter your monthly salary in the calculator and it compares your income with the estimated budget. A simple rule many expats in Saudi Arabia use: keep rent to about one third of take-home pay and save at least 10%. Compare your pay with our salary guide and the minimum salary rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Saudi Arabia per month?
A single person sharing a room can manage on roughly SAR 2,500 to 4,500 a month, a single person renting a studio in Riyadh needs around SAR 5,000 to 8,000, and a family of four in Riyadh typically spends SAR 14,000 to 22,000 including the dependent levy. Use the calculator for your own situation.
Is Riyadh more expensive than Jeddah or Dammam?
Yes, mainly because of rent. A studio in Riyadh typically costs SAR 2,500 to 4,200 a month, compared with about SAR 1,700 to 3,200 in Jeddah or Dammam.
Can rents in Riyadh still go up?
Since 25 September 2025, annual rent increases on residential and commercial leases in Riyadh are frozen for five years, and contracts must be registered on Ejar. The freeze does not apply in other cities.
What is a good salary to live comfortably in Saudi Arabia?
Aim for housing to take no more than about a third of your take-home pay, and leave room to save. Enter your salary in the calculator to see how your budget compares.