The cost of living in Riyadh is lower than in Dubai, Doha or London, mainly because rent is cheaper. Numbeo, read on 16 October 2026, puts a one-bedroom flat in the city centre at about SAR 4,457 a month and a single person’s other monthly costs at about SAR 3,386, so a single expat renting centrally spends roughly SAR 7,800 a month before savings (Numbeo). A family of four needs about SAR 12,445 a month before rent and school fees.
This guide breaks down Riyadh’s costs for expats: rent, utilities, food, transport and schools, plus a monthly budget and comparisons with Dubai, Jeddah and London. Prices are in Saudi riyals (SAR). Numbeo’s figures are crowd-sourced, based on 969 entries from 117 contributors in the past 12 months and last updated on 15 October 2026, so treat them as a guide, not official statistics.
Riyadh cost of living at a glance
| Item | Monthly cost (SAR) | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat, city centre | 4,457 | 3,000 to 7,280 |
| 1-bedroom flat, outside centre | 3,129 | 1,800 to 5,000 |
| 3-bedroom flat, city centre | 8,444 | 6,500 to 10,400 |
| 3-bedroom flat, outside centre | 4,595 | 3,000 to 8,500 |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² flat | 402 | 250 to 700 |
| Broadband, 60 Mbps or more | 269 | 200 to 400 |
| Mobile plan, 10 GB+ data | 111 | 50 to 200 |
| Public transport monthly pass | 140 | 133 to 350 |
| Gym membership | 338 | 200 to 600 |
| Single person, excluding rent | about 3,386 | |
| Family of four, excluding rent | about 12,445 |
Source: Numbeo Riyadh, read 16 October 2026.
Rent in Riyadh
Rent is the biggest cost for most expats, and the range is wide. A one-bedroom flat in the centre runs from about SAR 3,000 to SAR 7,280 a month on Numbeo, and a three-bedroom flat from SAR 6,500 to SAR 10,400.
Rent in Riyadh for expats: flats, villas and compounds
Expats in Riyadh live in three main types of housing:
- Flats in residential buildings. The cheapest option, and the one Numbeo’s figures describe.
- Villas and townhouses, often chosen by families who want more space.
- Compounds, gated communities with shared facilities such as pools and gyms. Numbeo doesn’t track compound rents and prices vary a lot, so ask your employer or a relocation agent for current figures.
Some employers provide company housing or a compound place instead of a housing allowance. Saudi law values such housing, for end-of-service purposes, at up to two months’ basic salary a year unless the contract sets a higher value (HRSD, Labour Law Part One). Ask what figure your contract uses.
Studio and 1BHK rent in Riyadh
Numbeo has no studio category. As a guide, a one-bedroom flat (1BHK) outside the centre costs about SAR 3,129 a month, and SAR 1,800 at the cheap end of the range. Studios are usually below that.
Where to look
Choose an area by your commute first. Find out exactly where your office is before you sign a lease, and try the journey at rush hour.
Utilities and internet
Numbeo puts basic utilities (electricity, cooling, water and rubbish) for an 85 m² flat at about SAR 402 a month, with a range of SAR 250 to SAR 700 (Numbeo). Air conditioning drives the bill, so expect it to rise in summer. Electricity is supplied by the Saudi Electricity Company, which publishes its tariffs.
Broadband of 60 Mbps or more costs about SAR 269 a month, and a mobile plan with 10 GB or more data about SAR 111.
Food and eating out
| Item | Price (SAR) |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 30 |
| Meal for two, mid-range restaurant, three courses | 245 |
| Fast-food combo meal | 30 |
| Cappuccino | 16 |
| Milk, 1 litre | 6.71 |
| Eggs, 12 | 11.57 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | 35.87 |
| Rice, 1 kg | 9.08 |
Source: Numbeo Riyadh. Remember that VAT in Saudi Arabia is 15% (ZATCA), three times the UAE rate, and it is included in most shelf prices.
Transport
Numbeo puts a one-way public transport ticket at SAR 4 and a monthly pass at about SAR 140. Petrol costs about SAR 2.33 a litre. A taxi starts at about SAR 12 plus about SAR 7 per kilometre (Numbeo).
If you plan to drive, a new compact car such as a Volkswagen Golf costs from about SAR 98,700 and a Toyota Corolla about SAR 83,506 on Numbeo. Budget for insurance, fuel and parking too, or check whether your package includes a transport allowance or a company car.
Schools and childcare
For families, school fees can be the second-largest cost after rent. Numbeo puts international primary school fees at about SAR 37,924 a year per child (range SAR 24,000 to 90,000), and a private full-day preschool at about SAR 1,992 a month (Numbeo). That is well below Dubai’s AED 65,896, but the top of Numbeo’s range, SAR 90,000, is more than twice the average. Ask whether your offer includes an education allowance.
Fees and costs specific to expats
- Visa and iqama fees: your employer pays the recruitment costs, residence and work permit fees and their renewals, and exit and re-entry fees (HRSD, Labour Law Part Three).
- Dependant fees: Saudi Arabia charges fees on expatriates’ dependants. Premium Residency holders are exempt (Premium Residency Center). We couldn’t confirm the current amounts from an official source, so ask your employer who pays them for your family before you sign.
- Health insurance: ask whether your employer’s plan covers your spouse and children.
- No income tax: salaries are not taxed, but VAT is 15%. See our tax basics guide.
Riyadh cost of living per month: sample budgets
Using Numbeo’s averages (Numbeo):
| Single, centre | Couple, outside centre | Family of four | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 4,457 (1-bed, centre) | 3,129 (1-bed, outside) | 8,444 (3-bed, centre) |
| Other costs (excluding rent) | 3,386 | about 6,800 (2 × single) | 12,445 |
| School fees, 2 children | about 6,321 (37,924 × 2 ÷ 12) | ||
| Total a month | about 7,843 | about 9,900 | about 27,210 |
The couple figure is our own estimate of twice the single-person cost; Numbeo doesn’t publish a couple figure. Numbeo’s average monthly net salary in Riyadh is about SAR 7,752, but tech salaries are usually much higher. Use the salary after tax calculator to compare an offer with these numbers, and our guide on how to read a Gulf job offer to see which allowances cover which costs.
Riyadh vs other cities
Cost of living in Riyadh vs Dubai
Numbeo’s comparison, read on 16 October 2026, puts Riyadh 33.7% cheaper than Dubai including rent and 20.6% cheaper excluding rent; rent alone is 52% lower. To match AED 25,000 a month in Dubai, you would need about SAR 17,002 in Riyadh (Numbeo). Our Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh guide compares jobs and pay as well.
Cost of living in Riyadh vs Jeddah
Jeddah is cheaper still. Numbeo puts a central one-bedroom flat in Jeddah at about SAR 2,991 a month (against SAR 4,457 in Riyadh), and a single person’s other costs at about SAR 3,162 (against SAR 3,386) (Numbeo Jeddah). But Jeddah has far fewer tech jobs: 12 on Gulf Dev Jobs on 16 October 2026, against 278 in Riyadh (Jeddah jobs, Riyadh jobs).
Cost of living in Riyadh vs Doha
Numbeo puts Doha about 19.7% more expensive than Riyadh including rent, and about the same (1.2% higher) excluding rent. Rent in Doha is about 62% higher (Numbeo). See tech jobs in Qatar.
Cost of living in Riyadh vs London
London is about twice as expensive. Numbeo puts London 100.5% more expensive including rent and 74.7% excluding rent, with rent 160% higher. To match SAR 17,000 a month in Riyadh, you’d need about SAR 34,086 (£6,813) after tax in London (Numbeo).
Living in Riyadh as an expat: practical points
- Working week: the Saudi Labour Law makes Friday the weekly day of rest. Ask your employer whether Saturday is also off.
- Language: 277 of the 278 Riyadh jobs on our board on 16 October 2026 asked for no Arabic at all. Arabic still helps in daily life. See our guide to tech jobs in Saudi Arabia.
- Arriving: budget for temporary housing for your first weeks and a deposit on a flat. Our relocation checklist covers the steps, including your iqama and Absher account.
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Prices change quickly in a growing city, so check current listings before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Riyadh per month?
On Numbeo’s figures from 16 October 2026, a single person spends about SAR 3,386 a month excluding rent, and a family of four about SAR 12,445. Add rent: about SAR 4,457 for a central one-bedroom flat or SAR 8,444 for a central three-bedroom flat. A single person renting centrally needs roughly SAR 7,800 a month.
How much is rent in Riyadh for expats?
Numbeo puts a one-bedroom flat at about SAR 4,457 a month in the centre and SAR 3,129 outside it, and a three-bedroom flat at about SAR 8,444 in the centre and SAR 4,595 outside. Compounds are not covered by Numbeo, so ask an agent or your employer for current prices.
Is Riyadh cheaper than Dubai?
Yes. Numbeo puts Riyadh 33.7% cheaper than Dubai including rent and 20.6% cheaper excluding rent, with rent alone 52% lower. VAT is higher in Saudi Arabia, at 15% against 5% in the UAE.
Is Riyadh more expensive than Jeddah?
Yes, mainly for rent. A central one-bedroom flat costs about SAR 4,457 a month in Riyadh against about SAR 2,991 in Jeddah on Numbeo. Other costs are close: about SAR 3,386 against SAR 3,162 a month for a single person.
How much are international school fees in Riyadh?
Numbeo’s average is about SAR 37,924 a year per child for international primary school, with a range of SAR 24,000 to SAR 90,000. A private full-day preschool is about SAR 1,992 a month. Ask whether your offer includes an education allowance.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Riyadh?
It depends on your household. On Numbeo’s averages, a single person renting centrally spends about SAR 7,800 a month, and a family of four with two children in international school about SAR 27,200. Compare that with the monthly total of your offer, including housing and education allowances.