Cost of living in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is 25% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 400 prices entered by 46 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is about the same as in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dammam | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 42 (Dirham 41) | Dirham 36 | + 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 30 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 31 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 15 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 5.54 (Dirham 5.43) | Dirham 6 | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 13 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 12 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 5.07 | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 19 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 15 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.09 (Dirham 4.98) | Dirham 3.79 | + 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | Dirham 10 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | Dirham 62 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 8 | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.92 (Dirham 2.86) | Dirham 4.61 | - 38% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is 60% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dammam | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 3,011 (Dirham 2,948) | Dirham 10,772 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,004 (Dirham 1,962) | Dirham 8,005 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 500 (Dirham 490) | Dirham 795 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 2,792 (Dirham 2,734) | Dirham 6,108 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,937 (Dirham 1,897) | Dirham 4,322 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 256 (Dirham 251) | Dirham 510 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 130 (Dirham 128) | Dirham 353 | - 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,135 (Dirham 1,111) | Dirham 1,270 | - 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 480 (Dirham 470) | Dirham 319 | + 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 41 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 46 (Dirham 45) | Dirham 35 | + 31% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is 5% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dammam | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 165 (Dirham 162) | Dirham 198 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 185 (Dirham 181) | Dirham 184 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 373 (Dirham 365) | Dirham 344 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 306 (Dirham 299) | Dirham 350 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | + 46% | |||
| Transportation in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is 46% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dammam | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 92,003 (Dirham 90,099) | Dirham 87,999 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.97 (Dirham 1.93) | Dirham 3.27 | - 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 180 (Dirham 176) | Dirham 79 | + 122% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 32 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 29 | + 8% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is 40% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dammam | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 17 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 45 (Dirham 44) | Dirham 47 | - 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 112 (Dirham 110) | Dirham 329 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 26 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 24 | + 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 14 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 19 | - 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 24 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 15 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 13 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 63 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) is 21% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dammam | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 92 (Dirham 90) | Dirham 204 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 128 (Dirham 126) | Dirham 91 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 283 (Dirham 277) | Dirham 759 | - 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 172 (Dirham 168) | Dirham 272 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | Dirham 71 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 20 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 40 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 1,841 (Dirham 1,803) | Dirham 1,834 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.50 (Dirham 0.49) | Dirham 0.70 | - 30% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 329 (Dirham 322) | Dirham 266 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 22 | + 15% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 25% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 400 prices entered by 46 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.979
AED
/
SAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 32,000 in Abu Dhabi you would need to make just about Dirham 24,019 (﷼ 24,527) in Dammam.
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