Popular cities
Jeddah vs Riyadh cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ธ๐ฆ Jeddah
๐ธ๐ฆ Riyadh
At a glance
- Where Riyadh is clearly cheaper: SIM card (60%โ), Beer (33%โ), Bottled water (33%โ)
- Where Jeddah is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (43%โ), Half-day tour (40%โ), Studio rent (month) (39%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Riyadh is easier to travel (2.4 vs 2.6). Biggest gap: getting around โ Jeddah 3 vs Riyadh 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Jeddah | Riyadh | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | SAR 30$8 | SAR 30$8 | similar |
| Street food1 item | SAR 12$3.2 | SAR 10$2.67 | Riyadh โ17% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | SAR 90$24 | SAR 75$20 | Riyadh โ17% |
| Coffeeone cup | SAR 17$4.53 | SAR 16$4.27 | Riyadh โ6% |
| Beerone bottle | SAR 15$4 | SAR 10$2.67 | Riyadh โ33% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | SAR 30$8 | SAR 28$7.47 | Riyadh โ7% |
| Bottled water | SAR 1.5$0.4 | SAR 1$0.27 | Riyadh โ33% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | SAR 3$0.8 | SAR 3$0.8 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | SAR 20$5.33 | SAR 18$4.8 | Riyadh โ10% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | SAR 12$3.2 | SAR 12$3.2 | similar |
| Transitone ride | SAR 3.45$0.92 | SAR 4$1.07 | Jeddah โ14% |
| Scooter rentalper day | SAR 100$26.7 | SAR 100$26.7 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | SAR 350$93.3 | SAR 300$80 | Riyadh โ14% |
| Studio rent (month) | SAR 2,000$533 | SAR 3,300$880 | Jeddah โ39% |
| Laundry | SAR 12$3.2 | SAR 10$2.67 | Riyadh โ17% |
| SIM card1 week data | SAR 100$26.7 | SAR 40$10.7 | Riyadh โ60% |
| Haircutcut | SAR 35$9.33 | SAR 30$8 | Riyadh โ14% |
| Massage1 hour | SAR 200$53.3 | SAR 200$53.3 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | SAR 150$40 | SAR 250$66.7 | Jeddah โ40% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | SAR 40$10.7 | SAR 70$18.7 | Jeddah โ43% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Jeddah or Riyadh?
Jeddah is 6% cheaper than Riyadh. Daily budget $167 vs $147; a month $2,420 vs $3,041.
Which is easier to travel, Jeddah or Riyadh?
Riyadh is easier: Riyadh 2.4/5 vs Jeddah 2.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Jeddah and Riyadh?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Jeddah is about $2,420 and Riyadh about $3,041 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.