Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cost of Living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Riyadh costs approximately $1,729 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,122. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Riyadh is a city in Saudi Arabia, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,729 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,122 per month, or $855 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 143 Mbps median download speed, and Saudi Arabia offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Riyadh scores 68/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 112°F and winter highs around 63°F, with roughly 360 sunny days a year.

Top for Lowest Disaster RiskDigital nomad visaFamily friendlyMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$1,729≈ $58/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,122
Internet143 Mbps
Safety68/100
Avg Temp88°F

Riyadh Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$8
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$53.33
McDonald's Combo Meal$8
Cappuccino$4.35
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.29

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.61
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.15
Eggs (12)$2.71
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.42
Apples (1 lb)$1.02
Bananas (1 lb)$0.77
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.69
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.56
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.58
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$7.33

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.07
Monthly Transit Pass$37.33
Taxi Start$3.20
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.01
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.61
VW Golf (New)$34,666.67

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$104.01
Mobile Phone Plan$33.05
Broadband Internet$72.31

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$93.70
Cinema Ticket$14.67
Preschool (Monthly)$493.86
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$9,409.39

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$56.74
Nike Running Shoes$110.07

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,122.14
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$854.61
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,093.01
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,144.62
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$269.95
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$177.96

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$2,292.58
Mortgage Interest Rate5.53%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$3,205.70
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$874

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Riyadh

Internet143 Mbps
Safety68/100
Healthcare66/100
Public Transit12/100
Walkability18/100
Nightlife15/100
Food Scene68/100
Fine Dining20/100
Coffee Culture30/100
Air Quality48/100
Green Spaces40/100
Culture70/100
Beaches40/100
Hiking20/100
Surfing5/100
Coworking Spaces40
US Visa-Free30 days

Riyadh FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Riyadh?

A single person should budget around $1,729 per month in Riyadh, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,206 per month.

How much is rent in Riyadh?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Riyadh averages $1,122 per month, dropping to about $855 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,093.

Is Riyadh safe?

Riyadh scores 68/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 78/100.

How fast is the internet in Riyadh?

Median download speeds in Riyadh are around 143 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 40 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Saudi Arabia offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Saudi Arabia offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 30 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Riyadh?

Riyadh sees summer highs around 112°F and winter highs near 63°F, with about 360 sunny days and 21 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Saudi Arabia

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Saudi Arabia and how to apply.