Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia

The sandy, sun-bleached Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has an overall cost of living index that equates it with middle cost living locations. To spin such a statement with perspective, westerners can anticipate their wallets would be affected in much the same way as if they were living in Poland – the most proximal partner in the cost of living index to the KSA.

Currently, Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh is ranked 130 out of the 282 most expensive places in the world for expatriates to live.

The Saudi Arabia expat’s highest cost of living is housing, which has been increasing in price over the past few years. Depending on the standard of living one aspires to, accommodation in Saudi Arabia can cost from SAR 3,500 per month to upwards of ten times that amount.

Ironically enough, tobacco products are relatively moderately priced. Groceries are also reasonably priced, but dining out can be costly.

Clothing and objects associated with recreation and culture can also be slightly pricier than the country's mid-range ranking would seem to negotiate, but relatively inexpensive transport and furniture and appliance costs balance out any tipping points.

As a nation bound to the oil sector petrol is shockingly cheap, and thus expats often find that when buying a car in Saudi Arabia many can afford more luxurious vehicles than in their home country.

Domestic services in Saudi Arabia are very affordable with a house keeper costing on average SAR 2,000 per month.

Here follows an example of the expected division of expenses that a mid-level professional can anticipate as well as a cost guide for the essentials for living in Saudi Arabia: