Wondering how far your salary goes in Riyadh? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed apartment (Olaya)SAR 45,000-75,000 / yr (often paid yearly)
Meal, mid-range restaurantSAR 60-120
Saudi coffee / karakSAR 12-20
Litre of petrolSAR 2.33
Riyadh Metro rideSAR 4
Est. single-person monthlySAR 3,500 (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~7.7 million (metro)
Official language
Arabic (English widely used in business)
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged to USD (~3.75)
Work week
Sunday–Thursday
Power plug
Type G (also A/B), 230V
Personal income tax
None
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Riyadh checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.