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Cost of Living in Riyadh

Riyadh, Ar Riyāḑ, Saudi Arabia · Population 7,237,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Saudi Arabia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)﷼3,443 ($918)
Couple, monthly﷼6,228 ($1,661)
Family of four, monthly﷼8,166 ($2,178)

Estimated Prices in Riyadh

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant﷼32.91 ($8.78)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range﷼132 ($35.10)per meal
Cappuccino﷼9.87 ($2.63)each
Monthly groceries (single person)﷼746 ($199)per month
Monthly public transport pass﷼121 ($32.18)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment﷼318 ($84.83)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)﷼92.14 ($24.57)per month
Fitness club membership﷼92.14 ($24.57)per month
Cinema ticket﷼24.13 ($6.44)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre﷼1,796 ($479)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre﷼1,249 ($333)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre﷼3,748 ($999)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Riyadh is ﷼10,725 ($2,860) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ﷼3,443 ($918) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ﷼4,476 ($1,194) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (﷼1,249 ($333)) represents about 36% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Riyadh

Riyadh vs JeddahRiyadh vs MeccaRiyadh vs Ad DammāmRiyadh vs MedinaRiyadh vs Khamīs MushayţRiyadh vs Tabūk

Nearby Cities

Ad Dir‘īyah

16 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Al ‘Uyaynah

43 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Ḑurumā

49 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Ḩuraymilā’

80 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Al Kharj

82 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Thādiq

110 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Al Ḩarīq

115 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Al Ḩillah

130 km away · Ar Riyāḑ

Other Major Cities in Saudi Arabia

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

Ḩafr al Bāţin

Ash Sharqīyah · pop. 389,993

﷼2,757 ($735) / mo

Living in Riyadh

Riyadh is the capital and one of the key cities in Saudi Arabia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ﷼3,443 ($918), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ﷼1,249 ($333) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ﷼8,166 ($2,178) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ﷼6,228 ($1,661) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Riyadh is ﷼10,725 ($2,860). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ﷼4,476 ($1,194) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Riyadh expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ﷼3,443 ($918) per month in Riyadh including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Saudi Arabia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Riyadh?
A net salary of around ﷼4,476 ($1,194) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Riyadh with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Riyadh is ﷼10,725 ($2,860).
How much is rent in Riyadh?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ﷼1,796 ($479) per month in the city centre and ﷼1,249 ($333) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ﷼3,748 ($999).
Is Riyadh cheaper than Saudi Arabia on average?
No — Riyadh is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Saudi Arabia average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Riyadh?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ﷼746 ($199) in Riyadh. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ﷼33 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around ﷼10 ($3).
How do transport costs in Riyadh compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Riyadh is estimated at ﷼121 ($32). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Riyadh are estimates based on Saudi Arabia national averages adjusted for city size (population 7,237,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.