Cost of living 2019 in Saudi Arabia

Dear Priscilla,

Thank you for introducing a good topic.  Since beginning of my life in Saudi Arabia at the year 1985, I was living in a compound in Airport.   Only last year in the month of June 2018, Airport authority drive us out of the compound due to New Airport expansion.  Now I realize how the Life outside the compound.   In my compound electricity bill, water bill  was free, No house rent to pay.  It was completely free everything.   Now I pay Electric bill, Gas bill, Maintenance cost.  Life is miserable, only need money, money and money,  I have no saving at all.  even difficulty to complete the month with the Salary. Everything is high price.

Thank you all your members and wish them a safe and happy live.

Best regards,

Hi
Please find the details below as per best of my knowledge

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?

Rent depends on the area and size of Apartment like in Riyadh you can get an apartment of 1 BHK at around 25000 RIYAL A Year.
Expats are not allowed to purchase in immovable property

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Around 250 riyals a month

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Around 500 RIYALS

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
1500 RIYALS

How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
Expensive around 200 riyals per visit to dr. and 350 riyals for Specialist

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
It is provided by co, for a family, it is 250

How much does childcare cost on average per month?
Around 800 riyals

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
2200

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
85 riyal

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
1200 riyals

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
850 riyals

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
150 riyals

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
10 riyals

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
not visited still

How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
anywhere between 800 to 3500 per month
regards
Mandar

Hi Priscilla

I am still new in Damma, so have not experienced everything just yet, however can surely can share some info...

I am currently renting a 1 bedroom furnished apartment in Dammam... it is 150 Riyal a night, but long / monthly stays are 2500 Riyal a month... this has one bedroom,  open plan kitchen and lounge area, and one bathroom with shower... fully furnished... incl all rates and electricity etc...
I am moving to a compound in Khobar at the end of this month, which is 42000 per year, fully furnished 1bedroom unit. It has a swimming pool, gym, squash court, restaurant on site a
I am mostly using Careem  for now as it is cheaper (sometimes less than 15 Riyal for 10km trip, depending in time), taxi will be 20 Riyal and difficult at times to explain where to go, Uber between 15 to 20.
I will pay anything between 30 to 50 riyal for a meal at basic restaurant, and 100+ at more up market restaurants. I am cooking at times, which i love, but the current apartment has limited Appliances, however enough to male something basic... looking forward cooking in n full kitchen soon.
All clothing stores now have reduced prices, so i am spending alot of money on clothes... a cotton shirt between 30 to 100 riyal, smart casual trousers 50 to 120 riyal, jeans 50 to 200 riyal.

Hi,

Below details are as per my personal and some friend circle data collection for living single and with family, hope it will help everyone.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
Buying an apartment is not very easy and will be only suitable for big investors and businessmen, although rent depends on the area and locality

For example:
Single person:
1- Average rent cost for a single room: from SAR500 (a normal area) to SR1,000 (good area) with all the amenities per month.
2- Room Sharing might cost up to SAR500 maximum in a good area per month.

Family Resident:
1- Average rent cost for a 2BHK could cost from SAR1,000 (a normal area) to SR3,000 (good area) with all the amenities month.
2- Living in compounds will cost more, on average my friend is paying SAR 75,000 per annum.

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
1- Actually it depends on the city, in main cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and damam yo will find the public buses available and costing from SR2 to SR10 maximum.

2- I live in Riyadh and usually travel to most of the cities due to my work and found Riyadh is more expensive to travel by taxi than any other city. which could be minimum of SR10 to SR35 on average.

3- Trains are available for Makkah and Madina Traveling but inter-city is still under-development phase and might take more than a year.

4- Tram and Subways are not an option as of now.

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
I have lived for 5 years as a bachelor and at that time it costed me around SR1,000 riyal a month. with family, it has reached to SR2,000 to SR2500 occasionally.

How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
As everyone has to have medical insurance which covers most of the hospitals and clinics depending on the medical grade as per 80:20 ratio.

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
My insurance is from "tawaniya company" B class and my company pay SR300 per month for this.

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
I have Camry and it takes around SR80 to full the tank.

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
Currently, everything is getting expensive such as;

1- electricity is costing around SR300/ gas around SR30/water SR100 per month.

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
My phone subscription is off SR100 which provides internet of 3GB, plus I have an extra internet sim unlimited which cost me SR365 per month.

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
It's from SR10 to SR30 a meal, depending on the need.

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
It's SR13 at starbucks.

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
It's SR65 at AMC cinema Riyadh.

How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
I had a membership in bodymaster which cost me SR1000 for 6 months

These are my personal findings and experience based answers. It might differ to people with priority.

Regards

Muhammad Mazhar

Hi,

Below are my average expenses.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
apartment rent - approx 1500 SAR+electricity 250 SAR + drinking water approx 60 to 80 SAR

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
I dont use public transport as i have a car, but a trip in the city taxi usually costs 15 to 20. To & from airport, approx 100 per ride, depending on the distance.

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
rice 25 to 30 SAR for 5kg bag, flour for bread 15 to 17 SAR for 5kg bag, meat 30 SAR per kilo, milk 10 SAR for 3 liter bottle, eggs 16 SAR for 30 eggs tray, apples 6 SAR a kilo.. etc.

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
1200 to 1500 SAR

How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
150 for regular doctor, 200 for specialist.. insurance covers 80% of the cost.

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
ours is VIP insurance gold card and employer pays for it. for family medical insurance i pay like 750 SAR per month for wife+1child.

How much does childcare cost on average per month?
500 at least

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
my child is still young but the budget could be around 1000 to 1200 SR for a normal school.

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
55 SAR

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
electricity 250 to 300 depending on the climate, more in summer.
gas - 16 SAR per cylinder, which lasts for more than a month.
water - i fill it at govt water filling station for free, but at the shop a 20 liters bottle is for 8 to 9 SAR.

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
100 SAR per month for 100GB data internet. for calling 20 to 30 SAR recharge card per month.

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
i take home cooked food with me, so thats covered in monthly grocery.

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
i dont drink coffee, but it is usually 10 to 15 SAR

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
i dont go to cinemas.

How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
depending on the gym, average around 300 to 500 per month.

In addition to the above, there is dependence fee of 300 SR per dependent per month to pay to the govt (next year it would be 400 as per govt rules).

Q: How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
A: In the Al Hamra Cornice area for a 5 room flat is SAR 35,000 per year which was between SAR 50K-45K per annum last year. There are places that are cheaper and you can find smaller flats for as low as SAR 25k and this is considered a really posh area because it's near the Jeddah Fountain, Salam Place and the Ritz Carlton, Jeddah.

Q: How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
A: A taxi ride typically costs SAR 15-20 but Careem is cheaper and more convenient.

Q: What is your monthly budget for groceries?
A: For a couple of people our budget is between SAR 1,500 - 2,000 because we spend lavishly

Q: How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
A: Depending on the doctor and the hospital it ranges between SAR 250-400 of which we pay 10% and 90% is charged to the insurance company

Q: How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
A: I drive a V8 5.7 ltr gas guzzler and it costs around SAR 130 for a full tank of 95 at a price of SAR 2.04/ liter

Q: How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
A: We have Mobily Fiber Optics at 100mbps at a cost of SAR 235 per month and my cell phone bill runs up to SAR 200/month

Q: How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
A: Fitness Time For Men SAR 3,880 per year and Gold's Gym for women SAR 2,500 per yer

hi pricilla! living far from home is quite a challenge. on average expats who are new in saudi arabia have a hard time coping with inflation which is the prime cause of high cost. food and groceries cost about 600SR monthly. transportation 500SR, electric bill 100SR, dental/ ortho 200SR per visit and telephone bill/ internet 300SR. hope this will help.

Needless to say that there is a dramatically high  in living cost for everyone in Saudi Arabia . specially for expats because expats must pay huge sum of money to still there families with them here  this consider  big load upon us you should choose between pay or your family will leave this difficult choice.
also other products and services such as grocery , food , clothes and education.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? 
***My housing accommodation (bachelor's pad) is free

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
***We  have a free transportation service (bus) going to and from work, even shopping and recreational trips to different malls and tourist spots in the Kingdom

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
What is your monthly budget for groceries?
***Each month, my best friend and I were doing our groceries at 350-400 SR (divided into 2 = 175-200 SR only)


How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
How much does childcare cost on average per month?
***We have own Employee Health Clinic and Medications free of charge

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
***Not applicable

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
***Absolutely FREE

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
***Internet 133 SR per month unlimited STC, Phone is prepaid only about 20-40 SR/month

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
***14 SR per catered lunch, but not regularly

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
***I'm not into coffee or cinema

How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
***In our compound, it's FREE

Almost everything is FREE here, and we are truly grateful for that...
Thank you Saudi Arabia, you are God's blessing to an expat like me.

Dear ,

hope your doing well.

fuel are expected to be high in 2019.

electricity already increased 200% e.g if you have 20 riyal bill before now it will be 60.

life is very tough now in KSA specially if you have ur family here.

mst1235 wrote:

Hi
Expats are not allowed to purchase in immovable property
Mandar

Incorrect. 

According to Saudi Arabia's foreign investment regulations, an expatriate who is licensed to practice a business or a profession is entitled to own the property for residential purposes or to practice their business or profession. They can also buy homes to accommodate employees

So this means that, you can own property IF:

1) Your profession is Foreign investor and you have SAGIA licence
2) Non-saudi children of Saudis can inherit property
3) You need to get permission from Ministry of interior before purchase
4) You pay tax at 10% of property value

People who have work permits only can forget about owning property in Saudi.

Hi it's a good question from the forum
It depends on where you live
I live in a small town town in Saudi Arabia
My total expenses for rent, food and electricity comes to around 3000 SAR per month
The rest of the money you make is for saving
But if you want a bit of luxury like outside dining or weekend trips maybe the cost can go up 5000 SAR per month
If you are living in a big city like Riyadh/ Jeddah maybe cost is more
But it ultimately comes to why your here
If it's for saving money better be tight on your budget.I think that's why expats came here
God bless all

Nice writing

Hello,

Please find my answers below:

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?

4,000 riyals / month is what we pay for rent within the company-owned house. Expats are not allowed own a house

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Company provides buses, but if I go out a lot using taxis, I may spend around 200-300 riyals a month

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Around 800 RIYALS

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
3500 RIYALS (family of 4)

How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
Company-owned clinic

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
Not sure

How much does childcare cost on average per month?
No kids below 10

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
company-owned school, but we spent about 500 riyals per child to buy school supplies

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
75 riyal

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
This is included in the house rent

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
800 riyals

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
40 riyals

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
10 riyals

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
4 riyals

How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
No cost, since the gym is company-owned

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia? How about buying an apartment or a house in Saudi Arabia?
A:1BHK costs you 8000SR to 20000SR/year.It depends on Area. You cann't buy an apartment unless you have citizenship.

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
A: Taxi  fare starts from 15 SR and bus 5SR .Depends on distance you travel.

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
A: Starts from 1SR .Depends on restaurant .In 5 star hotel you can not expect 1 SR food.


What is your monthly budget for groceries?
A: Depends on family size. For single person average 600 SR/month.

How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Saudi Arabia?
A: Stars from 30 SR without insurance. Fee depends on hospital's popularity and facilities .

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
A: My Company paying it for me. Otherwise 1500 SR c class insurance.

How much does childcare cost on average per month?
A: 500SR

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
A: 800SR .Depends on school.

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
A: My car 30 SR. Depends on car size. Big CAR= BIG Tank=Big Money

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
A:For me 150SR/Month. Because i don't use hot water.So i save electricity bill.I eat half boiled food to save Gas. I take bath 15 days once to save water.

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
A:Internet packages available in google.You can find there. And for me internet is free because i hack neighbor's wifi.
How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
A: Depends on restaurant where you order. 

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
A: I don't drink. Check the prices in google.

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
A: I do not pay. All movies i watch in youtube if available.

How much does a gym membership cost in Saudi Arabia?
A;I do not go GYM.I do exercise at home to save money.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

This case is not only in KSA , it's all over the world. the prices are getting higher and higher everywhere