MigrantoCost of living in Saudi Arabia
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
SAR 4,290
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
SAR 1,830richest 20%
SAR 11,000
Saudi Arabia is a country where some of the basics — fuel above all — stay cheap by design, yet building a full life costs more than that easy start suggests. It's an uneven bill: light in places, weighty in others. And households vary widely — what a comfortable life takes and what a modest one takes pull a long way apart.
Where people spend money in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia the roof over your head is what shapes the month — housing dominates the budget, and it's the cost with the least room to move. Groceries and getting around come next and stay fairly predictable; with so much committed to a place to live, the practical question becomes how much house you actually need.
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What it costs to live in Saudi Arabia
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Cost of living in Saudi Arabia
SAR 1,830/mo
vs SAR 3,000 in your country
Take-home
SAR 4,910
vs SAR 4,500 in your country
Potential savings
SAR 3,080
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Saudi Arabia compare
Saudi Arabia lands on the pricier side of the world — clearly not cheap, but not at the extreme either. Within the Gulf it holds an upper position, and the reason cuts both ways: subsidized energy keeps some things low, while housing and a fast-changing economy push the overall cost up.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank, regional estimate), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2020 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Saudi Arabia?
A typical person in Saudi Arabia spends about SAR 4,290 a month — around SAR 51,400 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Saudi Arabia in US dollars?
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is about $1,143 a month, or roughly $13,716 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Saudi Arabia?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about SAR 1,830 a month per person, a typical one around SAR 4,290, and a comfortable life around SAR 6,040. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Saudi Arabia?
The biggest expense is housing, at about SAR 1,080 a month (25% of spending). Then come groceries (SAR 994, 23%) and transport (SAR 836, 20%).
Is the average salary in Saudi Arabia enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about SAR 4,290 a month, while the average take-home pay in Saudi Arabia is about SAR 6,620. For more on incomes, see salaries in Saudi Arabia.
Is Saudi Arabia an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Saudi Arabia is more expensive than 74% of countries worldwide and ranks 4th of 17 in the Middle East by cost of living.
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Living in Saudi Arabia
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