Living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh is one of the Saudi Arabia destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Riyadh city center rents for around SAR 8,000/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages SAR 5,400/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about SAR 1,600 for groceries (single person) and SAR 310 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Riyadh scores 95, which makes it one of the more expensive cities in the region.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Riyadh starts at roughly SAR 9,910/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost SAR 130 for a mid-range meal and SAR 10 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around SAR 20. Owning a car adds approximately SAR 2,200/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Riyadh skip this in favour of public transport or the SAR 310/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
Saudi Arabia offers a public healthcare system that residents access through social security contributions. Private health insurance for a single expat in Riyadh costs around SAR 340/month, with a family plan at SAR 1,000. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about SAR 290, while specialists charge around SAR 510. Families should budget SAR 6,900/month for international schooling, or SAR 3,700/month for a local private school.
Who does Riyadh suit best?
Riyadh works especially well for senior professionals and families who can absorb top-tier European rent in exchange for infrastructure.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.