Understanding monthly expenses in Saudi Arabia is essential for anyone planning to live or work in the country. Whether you are an expat or a local resident, knowing your expected monthly costs helps you manage your budget effectively.
Average Monthly Expenses in Saudi Arabia
Monthly expenses in Saudi Arabia typically range between 3,500 SAR and 10,000 SAR depending on lifestyle, city, and personal spending habits.
Main Monthly Expenses
Housing
Housing is the biggest monthly expense. Rent can range between 1,500 SAR and 5,000 SAR depending on location and property type.
One of the most popular apps to explore property listings in Saudi Arabia is AQAR. Make sure to deal with verified agents and avoid paying any reservation fees unless it is through official platforms such as EJAR.
Food
Food expenses usually range from 800 SAR to 1,500 SAR per month. Cooking at home is much more affordable than eating out regularly.
Popular supermarkets in Saudi Arabia include:
1. Danube
2. panda
3.Lulu Hyper market
These stores offer a wide range of food options at different price levels.
Transportation
Transportation costs can range from 300 SAR to 1,500 SAR monthly depending on whether you use a car, ride-hailing services, or public transport.
Actual expenses depend on how frequently you use taxis or services like Uber.
Approximate taxi fares:
– Starting fare: 6.4 SAR
– Cost per kilometer: 2.1 SAR
– Minimum fare: 10 SAR
Public taxis (larger vehicles) may have a starting fare of around 7.3 SAR.
Utilities
Utilities such as electricity, water, and internet typically cost between 300 SAR and 700 SAR per month.
Electricity in Saudi Arabia is charged at approximately 0.18 SAR per kWh. For example, using 1500 kWh per month would cost around 270 SAR.
Main telecom providers include:
– STC
– MOBILY
– ZAIN
STC usually offers the best coverage, while Mobily and Zain may offer more competitive pricing depending on the package.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle expenses including entertainment, gym memberships, and shopping can range from 300 SAR to 1,500 SAR.
GYM
Popular gyms in Saudi Arabia include:
– Fitness Time
– N2 Fitness
– Golds Gym
Fitness Time has the widest coverage across cities, while N2 Fitness is growing rapidly. Gold’s Gym is more limited in availability.
Shopping
Shopping costs depend on personal preferences. Some well-known shopping malls include:
Jeddah
– Red Sea Mall
– Mall of Arabia
Riyadh
– Riyadh Gallery Mall
– Riyadh Avenue Mall
These malls offer a wide range of brands and price options.
Entertainment
Entertainment costs vary depending on activities. One of the most popular platforms for booking events in Saudi Arabia is Webook.
Popular cinema chains include:
– VOX Cinema
– MUVI Cinema
Ticket prices typically start from around 40 SAR.
Monthly Cost Summary
- Housing: 1,500 – 5,000 SAR
- Food: 800 – 1,500 SAR
- Transportation: 300 – 1,500 SAR
- Utilities: 300 – 700 SAR
- Lifestyle: 300 – 1,500 SAR
Monthly Expenses by City
Riyadh
Monthly expenses in Riyadh are generally higher due to higher rent and transportation costs. You can check the detailed cost of living in Riyadh guide for more information.
Jeddah
Jeddah offers slightly lower expenses compared to Riyadh, especially in housing. You can also explore the cost of living in Jeddah guide.
Tips to Reduce Monthly Expenses
- Choose affordable housing
- Cook at home
- Use public transportation
- Track your spending
Conclusion
Monthly expenses in Saudi Arabia vary based on your lifestyle and location. With proper budgeting and planning, you can manage your expenses and live comfortably.