Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 31% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 876 prices entered by 199 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 18% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 32 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 55 | - 43% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 30 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 35 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 18 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 6 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 12 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 13 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 6 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 16 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 28 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.89 (Dirham 4.79) | Dirham 4.61 | + 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | Dirham 9 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | Dirham 56 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.81 (Dirham 3.73) | Dirham 4.57 | - 18% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 33% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,735 (Dirham 7,574) | Dirham 11,852 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,263 (Dirham 4,174) | Dirham 7,464 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 653 (Dirham 639) | Dirham 943 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,583 (Dirham 4,488) | Dirham 7,852 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,013 (Dirham 2,951) | Dirham 5,332 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 493 (Dirham 482) | Dirham 618 | - 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 255 (Dirham 250) | Dirham 277 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,495 (Dirham 1,464) | Dirham 740 | + 98% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 483 (Dirham 473) | Dirham 299 | + 58% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 36 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 45 | - 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 42 (Dirham 41) | Dirham 36 | + 14% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 9% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 181 (Dirham 177) | Dirham 213 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 214 (Dirham 210) | Dirham 162 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 399 (Dirham 391) | Dirham 441 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 337 (Dirham 330) | Dirham 319 | + 3% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 53% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 92,343 (Dirham 90,424) | Dirham 94,873 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.36 (Dirham 2.31) | Dirham 2.88 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 142 (Dirham 139) | Dirham 404 | - 66% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 60 (Dirham 59) | Dirham 56 | + 4% | |
| Personal Care | - 3% | |||
| Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 24 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 75 (Dirham 73) | Dirham 38 | + 91% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 189 (Dirham 185) | Dirham 322 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 21 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 23 | - 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 22 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 16 | + 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 22 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 10 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 11 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 14 | + 39% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 43 | - 25% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 210 (Dirham 205) | Dirham 171 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 123 (Dirham 120) | Dirham 85 | + 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 308 (Dirham 301) | Dirham 532 | - 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 218 (Dirham 213) | Dirham 362 | - 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | Dirham 80 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 26 | - 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 42 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,618 (Dirham 2,563) | Dirham 1,998 | + 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.40 (Dirham 0.40) | Dirham 0.61 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 395 (Dirham 387) | Dirham 231 | + 68% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 27 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 18 | + 43% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 31% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 876 prices entered by 199 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.979
AED
/
SAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 35,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 24,241 (﷼ 24,755) in Riyadh.
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