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Cost of Living in Dhahran

Dhahran, Ash Sharqīyah, Saudi Arabia · Population 138,135

▼ -6% vs Saudi Arabia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)﷼2,588 ($690)
Couple, monthly﷼4,663 ($1,244)
Family of four, monthly﷼6,099 ($1,626)

Estimated Prices in Dhahran

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant﷼25.31 ($6.75)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range﷼101 ($27.00)per meal
Cappuccino﷼7.59 ($2.03)each
Monthly groceries (single person)﷼574 ($153)per month
Monthly public transport pass﷼92.81 ($24.75)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment﷼245 ($65.25)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)﷼70.88 ($18.90)per month
Fitness club membership﷼70.88 ($18.90)per month
Cinema ticket﷼18.56 ($4.95)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre﷼1,294 ($345)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre﷼900 ($240)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre﷼2,700 ($720)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Dhahran is ﷼8,250 ($2,200) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ﷼2,588 ($690) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ﷼3,364 ($897) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (﷼900 ($240)) represents about 35% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Dhahran

Dhahran vs RiyadhDhahran vs JeddahDhahran vs MeccaDhahran vs Ad DammāmDhahran vs MedinaDhahran vs Khamīs Mushayţ

Nearby Cities

Al Khubar

8 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Ad Dammām

19 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Sayhāt

26 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Umm al Ḩammām

35 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Al Qaţīf

36 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Al Awjām

38 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Al ‘Awwāmīyah

39 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Ras Tanura

50 km away · Ash Sharqīyah

Other Major Cities in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh

Ar Riyāḑ · pop. 7,237,000

﷼3,443 ($918) / mo

Jeddah

Makkah al Mukarramah · pop. 4,697,000

﷼2,984 ($796) / mo

Mecca

Makkah al Mukarramah · pop. 2,427,924

﷼2,984 ($796) / mo

Ad Dammām

Ash Sharqīyah · pop. 1,532,326

﷼2,984 ($796) / mo

Medina

Al Madīnah al Munawwarah · pop. 1,411,599

﷼2,984 ($796) / mo

Khamīs Mushayţ

‘Asīr · pop. 1,353,000

﷼2,984 ($796) / mo

Tabūk

Tabūk · pop. 886,036

﷼2,757 ($735) / mo

Buraydah

Al Qaşīm · pop. 467,410

﷼2,757 ($735) / mo

Living in Dhahran

Dhahran is one of the key cities in Saudi Arabia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ﷼2,588 ($690), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ﷼900 ($240) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ﷼6,099 ($1,626) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ﷼4,663 ($1,244) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Dhahran is ﷼8,250 ($2,200). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ﷼3,364 ($897) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dhahran expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ﷼2,588 ($690) per month in Dhahran including rent outside the city centre. That is 6% less than the national average for Saudi Arabia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dhahran?
A net salary of around ﷼3,364 ($897) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Dhahran with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Dhahran is ﷼8,250 ($2,200).
How much is rent in Dhahran?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ﷼1,294 ($345) per month in the city centre and ﷼900 ($240) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ﷼2,700 ($720).
Is Dhahran cheaper than Saudi Arabia on average?
Yes — Dhahran is estimated to be about 6% cheaper than the Saudi Arabia average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Dhahran?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ﷼574 ($153) in Dhahran. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ﷼25 ($7) and a cappuccino runs around ﷼8 ($2).
How do transport costs in Dhahran compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Dhahran is estimated at ﷼93 ($25). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Dhahran are estimates based on Saudi Arabia national averages adjusted for city size (population 138,135). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.