Cost of living 2018 in Saudi Arabia
Hello everyone,
As per our annual tradition, we invite you to share your experiences and tell us more about the average prices of products and services in your town/city/area, so that we have updated information regarding cost of living and inflation in Saudi Arabia.
Thanks to your contribution, future °µÍø½ûÇøs in Saudi Arabia will be more informed and will be able to refine their budget and better prepare for their big move.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
What is your monthly budget for groceries?
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Saudi Arabia?
How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
How much does childcare cost on average per month?
What is your child's schooling budget per month?
How much does it cost to fill up your carÂ’s fuel tank?
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Priscilla
Now cost of Living is high now.. due to sudden increase in fuel prices , 5 % vat added on everything... salaries are much delay
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
Normal apartment are very chip, but if you want to live in an °µÍø½ûÇø compound start to be expensive
How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
In Jeddah where I'm living, downtown is very expensive but less than Europe
If you go little be on the board of the City are starting to build a lot of places chip
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
I only use taxi that are chipper than Europe
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Rice and bread are chip but pasta is 3 times Italy. Food items are more expensive than Italy
What is your monthly budget for groceries?
Should be less than 1.000Dollars but at the moment I'm spending more
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Saudi Arabia?
I'm sorry but I don't know yet
How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
My company pay and I don't know
How much does childcare cost on average per month?
I'm sorry I don't know
What is your child's schooling budget per month?
I don't have child
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank?
Was 20 euro cents per liter now is around 40 euro sents
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
I don't know company pay
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
250 SAR per data fiber line at home and 200SAR for mobile phone with good data line
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
NIL
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
Around 3 Euros
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
No cinema are allowed in KSA yet
How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
As in Europe from 15 up to 50 at month
Gaetano
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
1800 SAR (1 BHK) Fully Furnished in Average Hotel
2200 SAR (2 BHK) Fully Furnished in Average Hotel
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Taxi Fare - 10 to 50 SAR, as per distance
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Bread - 4-5 SAR
RICE - 15-35 SAR
PASTA RAW - 4-9 SAR
What is your monthly budget for groceries?
800- 1200 SAR
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank?
56 SAR - 91 PETROL ( ELANTRA )
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
200 SAR
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
40-50 SAR / PERSON ( Acc to Hotel)
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
5-8 SAR
How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
2400 SAR FOR 3 MONTHS
Cost of living is going to be high,,,,,
Real Estate price is less then 2017 but other hand New Levi taxes on Iqama 400 or some condition 300 per month are badly effect this Construction / Commercial Market........
and i suggest you no one take risk on Free Visa, there is no more free visa because as per new Nitaqat System, every company or Establishment should hired 1 saudi on 5 °µÍø½ûÇøs before it was 1 Saudi on 10 °µÍø½ûÇøs. Due to this new nitaqat system most of Establishment are in Yellow category. Cost of Iqama is 120% Higher then 2017.
As Market of grocery is 20% Higher not only because of V.A.T 5% as well Fuel Prices. Local Grocery Shops are near to close because they are not able to take 5% on 1 riyal Item. If they charged high, then consumer prefer towards Hyper Markets.
Only some of Companies have exemption of Nitaqat like Manpower Supplier Company, (only 15 registered companies), Establishment less then 5 employees.
New Iqama Fee
- 650 Iqama Fee
- 2500 Labor Card
- 4800 New Levi Tax / Year
- 350 Minimum Insurance
Total Cost of Iqama 8300/ Saudi Riyal in 2018.
Yes, I can say there will be definite changes generally upward.
Let this first month of VAT etc. transpire before quoting figures, that what i will do.
Back in a while

Below is my current status:
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
Jeddah, Al Hamra Corniche, Palestine Street (View of the fountain)
2 Bed, Drawing, Dining, Lounge, (massive) Kitchen, Main bath and Guest bath, Balcony. Western Architecture (open floor plan) 35k per year
(Cheaper and better options are also available)
How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
Don't know
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
The only public transport are taxi's (SAR 40-60), uber/careem (SAR 25-60), mini buses
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Bread: SAR 4 for a large
Pepsi 1.5Ltr: SAR 8
Flour: SAR 3/Kg
What is your monthly budget for groceries?
M e and my wife incur a cost of SAR 800-1,000 per month on groceries, we cook at home 6 days a week
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Saudi Arabia?
We are insured so I pay 10% of the doctors fee and medication. The doctor's fee is SAR 250 with followups for free, medicines are dependent on the coverage of the insurance.
Under insurance we pay SAR 25 per visit, which, is on the high side and cheper options are available depending upon the hospital and area
How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
Covered by employer for both each family member
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank?
SAR 2.04 per liter, i fill up when the tank is at a quarter, so, 3 quarters of a tank costs SAR 75 (I have a small car Mazda 3)
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
I have an electric stove so I don't use gas, my electricity bill is now SAR 70-100 per month
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
Phone bill prepaid STC: average SAR 200-300 per month
STC data sim: 149 per month
Mobily e-life fiber optic internet (home): SAR 250
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
Company canteen is at SAR 14 per meal
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
SAR 17-20 depending on the outlet and type
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahah
How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
Fitness Time Men: 5,000 per year (company discount at SAR 3,088 per year)
Gold's Gym Wome: SAR 2,500 per year
Gyms are fully equipped with saunas, showers, swimming pools etc
None of the above account for VAT which is 5% on everything excluding power and fuel. Speeding fines are also exempt (SAR 300-600 btw)
I track certain items in our spend. In 2014-6 our average monthly supermarket spend (we are in Jeddah) was pretty much bang on 1400/ month (for my wife and I). Last year the average was 1784/ month- no real change in buying habits or products bought.
I will give you a true answer
To give you the truth living in big cities like jeddah or riyadh has big opportunity but the cost of living there is higher than london or usa and one of the big examples the cheapest hotel in jeddah which standard not danger because be careful some hotels the resiption dont know who are coming there or who are check in so you need 100 british pound for one night and the hotel is not in a good area and the cost of apartment same are expensive but if you got a job in makkah i think its good idea why the cost of living in makkah cheap you can rent an apartment by 200 euro a month and jeddah is very near from you in your weekend also you can go to the new sea side of jeddah and swim there even men or women but the women must the islamic borkaeh if you got salary 3000 riyal or above inclode housing and transportation its more than enough you can live for food budget 3 for a meal for 4 people
Living in Saudi Arabia can be easy and though at the same time.
To start with water.water in Saudi Arabia is so expensive in my own opinion I think this is so because its a desert and water can cost up to 500 riyals per month.
Secondly means of transport.I think intems of transport its not a matter in Saudi Arabia because many people have got there cars so its easy for them to walk all around and their workers.
To conclude Saudi Arabia it have fair prices of goods compared to other countries.
Hi all,
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
It depends if you are leaving in compound or in houses or in apartments in buildings:
- 4 bedrooms in compound coun between 140.000 to 250.000 SAR per year depending of the compound, not always easy to find an access though
- 4 bedrooms house around 100.000 SAR yearly
- 4 bedrooms Apartments are around 60.000 SAR yearly
How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
No idea
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
The best public transportation is Uber CAreem or the taxi (always ask the meter)
Cost are around 15-20 SAR for 20-25 minutes in normal time, was doubled in peak times. I guess with the doubling of petrol prices, the price may have increase significantly though I do not know
Taxi from Jeddah airport to northern Jeddah 75 SAR to the center more 85 to a 100 if you are in a good hotel.
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Bread can be very cheap if you take the local (1.5SAR for 6 small pieces) if you start taking the bread like in Europe (8-12 SAR)
What is your monthly budget for groceries?
For the 2 of us, it will cost us around 1400 to 1800 SAR depending on what we take. If you eat meat every day it can be expensive and it depend if you are taking any imported product, cheese cost you more than 50 euros the kilos for instance)
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Saudi Arabia?
It really depends on the hospital, most of it is covered by the insurance though (depending of the level of insurance), you nay have additional fees if it is outside of the coverage delivered by the insurance.
Blood analysis is costing around 1000 SAR, external fees for doctor can be very high so you have to be careful on the choice.
Between 200 to 400 SAR the family doctor, gynecologist would be around the same.
How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
Covered by company, you have Class B, CLass A and VIP insurance level, VIp is around 5000 SAR per year and is covering quite well, women insurances are higher than male one.
How much does childcare cost on average per month?
around 2000 SAR monthly
What is your child's schooling budget per month?
Very different depending on the school, from 35.000 SAR to 75.000 SAR yearly
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank?
Liter of 91 is 1,37 SAR but most commonly used liter of 95 is 2.04 SAR
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
Electricity bills has increased strongly though it is very much depending on you r use of AC therefore of the time of the year and the provider as well. Water will be around 600 SAR per month for a family of 4 and electricity will vary from 400 to 1000 depending of the time of the year
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
Internet at home is 300 SAR per month
Phone you have package that start at 100 up to 800 SAR, 800 SAR this will include data, calls and international minutes + roaming for data when abroad
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
Between 22 to 45 SAR depending on the restaurant and the delivery services
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
Between 10 to 20 SAR
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
No tyet unfortunatelly
How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
No idea, most of the time in compound or some residential building, there will be a Gym,
hope it helps,
Thanks
Riyadh.
1. How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
Unfurnished 2-3 bedroom apartment in the city - 30K - 50K SAR / year
Furnished 1-bedroom apartment in compound - 50K - 80K SAR / year
Furnished 3-bedroom villa in compound - 100 K - 250 K sar / year
2. How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Only taxi is available now. Average trip - 20 SAR.
3. What is your monthly budget for groceries?
About 2 K sar.
4. How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank?
Hyundai Elantra - 50 SAR (40 litres tank, gas 91)
Hyundai Sonata - 110 SAR (50 litres tank, gas 95)
5. How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
Mobile phone - 100 - 200 SAR / month
Internet - 100 - 150 SAR / month
6. How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
Foodcourt - 25 SAR
Restaurant - 80 SAR
7. How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
2 K - 6 K SAR / year, depending on the level of a gym
do I need to answer all that question Mam?
I am living in a company accommodation and we have a company pantry or mess hall who's providing our food everyday..
a company laundry schedule once a week and I'm using company vehicle for my service..
but I asked some of my friends who are living outside, bachelors and family status they told me they are paying rent around 18k to 20k a year for a simple bachelors accommodation and 25k above for a expensive family flat.
food, 500 to 800 riyals depends how you budget your money and how you use it, transportation 300 riyals to 500 riyals a month.
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? Flats normally depends on locations. Ranges from 15000SR and up one to two bedroom
How much does it cost to buy an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? Still °µÍø½ûÇø not allowed
How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)? Big bus SR2, Coaster SR 4, Taxi near min. SR10 normally by agreement with the taxi driver
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? 5 kilos SR36 Basmati rice
bread ranges to SR 4 and up pasta SR4 and up one packet
What is your monthly budget for groceries? Family ranges from SR800 and up
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Saudi Arabia? Depends on type of insurance Class A less than SR35 without insurance SR200 per visit
How much do you pay for health insurance per month? normally shoulder by company
How much does childcare cost on average per month? Same as above
What is your child's schooling budget per month? Asian school SR including transport services
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank? red SR1.35 Green SR2.3
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month? Normal now SR150 and up, Gas bottle small SR20, water normally by landlord
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription? min for phone postpaid SR150, internet SR150
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays? Ranges from SR15 and up
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee? min SR17 starbucks
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket? not yet started
How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia? Montly SR1200min SR150 per visit
How about SAUDI MANPOWER SOLUTIONS COMPANY??.. igot offer from this company and work location is yanbu..
Is this company is exempted?
Regards
Pk
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