½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Riyadh is most expensive city in saudi arabia.
Food,Accommodation ,Clothes and medical also very expensive here

The most expensive city in Saudi Arabia is Riyadh because it has the royal family.
One of the cheapest cities is Jeddah 

There's not much difference in cost of living of different cities of Saudi Arabia. However, the major factor in living cost is accommodation and house rents perspective Riyadh is little bit cheaper.

Hi,

Al Khobar is the best city to live in Cost of living is that much compared to the other cities it's a small and beautiful city,Bahrain is very near you can spend the weekends there for a change,

Riyadh.. but few other places are same too but its up to us according to our needs.

Normally , all the major cities are more or less same,

There are some neighborhoods, like in Khobar I know is Olaya, Bandariyah and Rawabi are expensive

Jeddah is the one of the best city in Saudi Arabia, it is cheapest as well compared to other cities.

Hai Priscilla,
Well That is a good question, being a female Definately Jeddah is the most expensive city to live in followed by Al Khobar and Then Riyadh. Fisrt Of all, Accomodation matters if its provided by employer you can still save some money, dining out in Jeddah and Riyadh is good but if u live in Al Khobar and hv multiple entry Visa you may enjoy better dining and shopping experience in Bahrain. At this moment cost have living have rised tremendously. Jeddah and Al Khobar is bit safe to live in with lesser restrictions but if u are in Healthcare Industry Riyadh Hospital management is better, the point is Riyadh is very strict but cheaper then Jeddah in cost of living, if you live in a Compound in Riyadh then you will have pretty much a normal life and enjoy at the same time. You can safe if you dine out max once a week but if you enjoy shopping Riyadh is relatively cheaper then Jeddah and Al Khobar.

Well, every city has its own different taste in KSA. Be it Dammam, Khobar, Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah or Madina. These are mainly the  big cities in the country. If you love sea shores, Dammam Khobar or Jeddah should be your chosen city and job location.

I have lived in Dammam Khobar (DK) and Riyadh but I got friends in each of cities I mentioned. Lifestyle is fantastic in DK while infrastructure is huge in Riyadh. But yeah, if you ask me, I definitely prefer DK which comes under the state of Eastern Province in the country. Eastern Province is the coolest among all the areas of KSA. Local's or other Saudi nationals staying here are well educated and most interestingly can speak some English so you will not feel lef t out. There are those again who really speak fantastic with brushed US accent. And most importantly decent from the other states. Riyadh is worst in this case. Saudi nationals living there are too arrogant and aggressive. I had plenty of rough experiences. Nevertheless, good and bad are everywhere. Only the ratio of good is to bad varies.

Now Jeddah ! You can find differed opinion about Jeddah too. It's the commercial capital of Saudi and is also considered as cool. But its too congested, I personally prefer Eastern Province. I am living with my family here for the last 2 years and its pretty cool.

Average grocery expense for a family of 3 should not exceed 1500 SAR no matter how lavishly u stay. But yeah, if you eat imported products from US/UK this price can rise up to 3 times. But being Asian, we eat products from mainly Asian countries and its quite economic.

Housing !
That should be taken on such an area where there is no parking problem. Most cheap areas has this problem. You will not get a space to park in front of your place and you need to keep your car 300-400m from your place. I will not suggest these areas. Rent is around 14-16k SAR a years where expats live. Spend 4-5k more and get a good 2 BR Flat and give your family the comfort.

Transport!
You got to have a car to survive good in Saudi or else the Taxi's will loot you. Most average companies give cars to their employees here and fuel reimbursement. So keeping a car is always a benefit. Or else most of your money will be spent on roads. Eg. - 2 Km is 15 SAR. Sometimes it can rise up to 30-40 SAR depending on the time of the day. Though Uber is also there to help you in roads but the freedom and the privacy is totally hampered. Dependency always sucks.

Come to Eastern Province and stay happy and blessed. Good Luck !

Riyadh

8 years

Riyadh and Dhahran

In Saudi Arabia More expensive city is Riyadh which is capital of Saudi Arabia. But here life style is higher but income wise is medium and not a strict rules.
Al-Jubail city is very expensive in eastern province I am residing here. But income wise very good and life style is medium. But rule wise very strict because industrial Area.
Makkah Shraif and Madina Shraif Due to Islamic point of View to much crowed that,s way very expensive rent and transportation. But People get relax due to environmental Islamic Society and for Worship.
Hafer Al -Batain and other small city very very cheaper for shopping and rent wise but income wise lower.

well i don't agree with your Riyadh's view. You can stay really cheap in Riyadh but its very congested and crowdy with immense traffic congestion.

Hi,

As far as my knowledge is concerned, there are two most expensive cities in the KSA: Jeddah and Riyadh. Remaining all are affordable.


Regards,

Chetan Patle

Hi,
    Saudi arabia is most beautiful city jeddah riyadh and dammam the cost of living in saudi arabia is lower than the the any other gulf countries its depend on you how u spend u r money and it has a two holy place makkah and madinha only for muslims whole kingdom is very good i love saudi arabia its my second home country.

I believe that Riyadh and Jeddah are expensive ones, In central Riyadh accommodation is expensive than outer Riyadh. Dining is almost same in both cities. Transportation doesn’t matter if you have been provided by a company maintained car 😊.

hi all
this is my opinion may be wrong Jubail is most expansive city now a days  for living here hose rent not going down for expat because same situation of Saudi guys who left from Fanateer part of Jubail to come jubail mean it they pay before 40000 to 70000 SAR per annum now they start saving and come to jubail on 25000 to 40000 per annum for 3 to 5 bed apartment or flats

I stayed in dammam..
For me Dammam is the best city for expertise

Riyadh by far, but still nothing compared to the states.

Riyadh

Jeddah

Hi Priscilla,

Sorry for the late response was bit busy. Are you already in Saudi or planned to come soon.

There three major cities Riyadh, which is the capital, Jeddah in the West and Dammam (and adjacent cities) in the east.
Grocery and other basic needs are not easy to manage. Accommodation is a personal choice  there is the costly apartments and then there are normal ones also available.
I live in Riyadh but must stress that cost of living is directly related to style, decor, hobbies and more. Entertainment is not much developed so don't expect much expenses compared to Dubai, where much quite a portion is spent every month.
Coming back to accommodation on an average a two bedroom flat can be rented out for 20k to 25k. With more and more expat families leaving the rents are coming down.
Let me know if you are here already and I can share my contact number for any further information.
Mir

Jubail. Food costs are high. You can buy cheap food in Riyadh. You can get everything cheap in Riyadh. I'm not sure why people think Riyadh is expensive. It's the same as many cities.

Hi Miss Priscilla,

Good morning.

I have been to many cities in Saudi Arabia due to nature of my profession.
I am a professional photographer and documentary  movies maker.

I believe the most beautiful city is Dammam and Al Khobar. very clean and very nice and beautiful
buildings and street looks. Clean and happy friendly environment. Not so expensive.
I found Abha to be very expensive and I didn't like that city at all. Too much crazy rough driving and totally non friendly people.

Sorry to say but the Capital city .... Riyad ..... when I pass all the way on the main road..... the garbage bins all over were over flowing and hotels here are too much costly with no proper and comfortable facilities.

I am residence of Jeddah for last 29 years. I wish the Baladiya here was more professional and more responsible.

What are the most expensive cities to live in Saudi Arabia? What are the costs of things such as rent, utilities, weekly groceries, dining out, etc.?

What is the lifestyle like in these cities, for expats and locals?

What are the different neighbourhoods like? Are there more affordable areas?

Do you have any experience living in any of Saudi Arabia's most expensive cities? What was it like?

Which cities in Saudi Arabia would you recommend? Are there any that offer particularly good value for money when it comes to cost of living?

Hi Priscilla,

Good Day!

In my experience it is more expensive to stay or live here in Riyadh. The costs of rentals are depends on the district you are staying, Like us we stay here in Al Muruj District the rental for the apartment are expensive, the cheapest will be SAR 1000. While groceries are almost same price with the other cities because the Ministry regulates the prices including Petroleum product. Dining out will be depends on the restaurant you are going.

For me as a bachelor, my lifestyle is not that colorful as others, my usual routine are house-work-house. Sometime going to market too for the living.

Neighborhoods are depends on which personality they have. Since this is Islamic Country they use to prepared some privacy.

I strongly recommended Jeddah, 2nd Eastern Province Like Dammam or Al Khobar. Why? Because I love eating fish and sea food and mostly fresh.

Hi Priscilla

What are the most expensive cities to live in Saudi Arabia? What are the costs of things such as rent, utilities, weekly groceries, dining out, etc.?
A: Im living in Riyadh since last 17 yrs, Yah its bit expensive as compare to Other cities.

What is the lifestyle like in these cities, for expats and locals?
A: Riyadh is a modern city but anyhow you have to wear Abhaya.

What are the different neighbourhoods like? Are there more affordable areas?
A: Don't Know

Do you have any experience living in any of Saudi Arabia's most expensive cities? What was it like?
A: Yes, Riyadh

Which cities in Saudi Arabia would you recommend? Are there any that offer particularly good value for money when it comes to cost of living?
A: Riyadh


Take Care
Regards
BIR

the most  expensive city in saudi arabia  is  jeddah  , but  its  the  best  Place and  more comfort for  you  . i  recommend  for you  to  live in  jeddah

I think the southern province Asir (abha___najran___) is expensive when compared to other areas.

hi,

been in jeddah, riyadh and dammam mostly the cost of living are just the same..
i prepare alkhobar and jeddah second