Cost of Living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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 333 sunny days a year.
Riyadh Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Riyadh
How Riyadh Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Riyadh ranks in the top 43% for safety, but sits in the bottom 2% for walkability. It costs more than 54% of them.
| Metric | Riyadh | World rank | Rank in Middle East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,729 | #185 of 340 | #5 of 9 |
| Safety | 68/100 | #144 of 340 | #5 of 9 |
| Healthcare | 66/100 | #187 of 340 | #6 of 9 |
| Internet speed | 143 Mbps | #195 of 340 | #6 of 9 |
| Walkability | 18/100 | #337 of 340 | #9 of 9 |
| Public transit | 12/100 | #301 of 340 | #9 of 9 |
| Food scene | 68/100 | #241 of 340 | #8 of 9 |
| Air quality | 48/100 | #319 of 340 | #6 of 9 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Riyadh
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Riyadh.
- Muscat, Oman — $1,214/mo, 30% cheaper, safety 78/100
- Amman, Jordan — $1,047/mo, 39% cheaper, safety 66/100
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 excluding rent.
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 333 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 15 days.
Visa Requirements for Saudi Arabia
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