MigrantoCost of living in Saudi Arabia
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Saudi Arabia
Spending runs from SAR 1,830 a month in the poorest fifth to SAR 11,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
SAR 4,290
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
SAR 1,830richest 20%
SAR 11,000
Where people spend money in Saudi Arabia
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Saudi Arabia in numbers
Transport takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 19.5% of spending here, or SAR 836 a month, against 11.3% in a typical country, 8.2 points more.
How living costs in Saudi Arabia compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Saudi Arabia against other countries
More expensive than 57% of countries
Where Saudi Arabia sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs SAR 3,750 at world-middle prices costs SAR 4,040 here.
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
Living-cost calculator
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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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 standard of living in Saudi Arabia?
By spending, Saudi Arabia ranks #49 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about SAR 4,290 a month, the poorest 20% about SAR 1,830 and the richest 20% about SAR 11,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
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.
What currency is used in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal (SAR). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Saudi Arabia
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