An Expat COST OF LIVING in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

A question which I’ve been meaning to answer for some time is “what is the cost of living over there for an expat?” It seems like it can be a very confusing question.

To give you the short answer, it's very reasonable and for me, coming from London, it's refreshing!

I’m going to take you through what you need to consider and keep in mind all costs shown are in Saudi Arabian Riyals.

THE BIG STUFF!

Accommodation
- This will be the biggest chunk and you should receive 25% of your salary each month to cover accommodation, this is standard and is a requirement when hiring expats
- Costs vary significantly from city to city, apartment vs compound vs villa etc, so this is what I’ve found based in Jeddah for the past 4 years.
- 1 bedroom - 40-70,000 annual
- 2 bedroom - 70-100,000 annual
- 3 bedroom - 100,000+ annual

Travel
- You should receive 10% of your salary each month as your travel allowance; again this is a standard
- Taxi life - 30-75 per trip / 140 per day / 950 per week / 3,800 per month
- Car rental - 2,500 and upwards
- Car purchase - as you like… (!)

Health Insurance
This will be covered as standard as part of your employment; I really recommend finding out what bracket your company are putting you so you’re aware and can request an upgrade.

I won’t include these in the total budget because the fluctuations are vast; I’ll let you do some of the math ;)

THE MONTHLY EXPENSES!

Pretty sure I’ve covered most things here. Again, huge fluctuations based on what life you want to life.

- Bills (water and electric) - 400
- Wi-Fi - 400
- Mobile - 100
- Gas / Petrol - 400
- Car Wash - 60
- Gym - 700
- Groceries - 1000
- Meat - 1000
- Veg & Fruit - 400
- Water - 60
- Supplements - 500
- Higher end restaurants - 2,000
- Mid-range restaurants - 1,200
- Takeaways - 1,500
- Coffees - 300
- Haircuts - 300
- Entertainment - 600

Total for monthly expenses are around 10,500 SAR for a couple.

You should comfortably be able to cut this by half if you're prioritising on saving or spending a little more carefully.

I hope this helps!

[adama.]

I was in Jeddah, 3 weeks ago, I love it in Saudi. I go back and forth from NYC to KSA, every few months due to work.

[DanieleUcci-nu]

Hi Pete, thank you so much for all your videos! I am moving from London to Jeddah in Feb next year for work, and your clips give a really clear idea on what it is like to live out there....keep it up!! 🙏🫡

[AhmedElhamaky-C]

Hey Buddy, thanks so much I am a canadian and I am moving to saudi next feb. Honestly you helped me a lot with this video i was lost till i found ur video❤

[andrija_mihalic]

The breakdown of all the costs is super realistic for a couple in Jeddah, I believe, and the amount you stated is something I can see myself spending. Thanks a lot for the insights, Pete!

[Trupak]

Great video, Pete. 😊 Have to say that the cost of living in London is far more expensive than Saudi. You’ve done extremely well to get out there when you did and hope to join you one day InshAllah 😎

[bluemecrazy]

Thanks Pete, this is incredibly useful.

[philiparmstrong]

Thanks mate, very insightful video. Hit the nail on the head with what expenses to account for 👍🏻

[Xdisagreementastride]

Good job man I’m a local and I can tell the prices you provided it’s pretty good. Most working foreigners from the US or Europe are going to experience something similar of what you had. But I’m pretty sure their employers will give any new arrivals some accommodation options and they usually take care of them if they are here for work. After all well done I also gained useful information myself thanks

[windferna]

Thanks Pete, the only video on internet that gives realistic cost of living. Great work
In short, a couple is expected to spend about $100K per year for living in Saudi. I had an ugly notion of about $50K. We like to eat out a lot and like to splurge a little on living.
Thanks again

[Brin-ev]

I like you Pete. you're a proper geezer. have subscribed!

[ElevwDavid]

Honest 360 view on spending, cheers Pete, perhaps you ought to talk about investing from Saudi too! If I’m not wrong, the video you guys did with your friend the lawyer, you are not allowed to make extra money if you have a work visa, but how can you make extra income still flow with investments? 👏

[aleksanderapinski]

Thanks Pete. Could you consider a video overview of different jobs' payscales ?

[Snowfox]

What do you guys do for a living? I’m planning on moving to Riyadh next year. I’m a blogger living that life! 🤩 can’t wait to be in KSA

[ahmed.s.]

Hello! My family and I will be relocating to Riyadh in a couple of weeks. We would be grateful if someone could provide information about the cost of living in Riyadh.

[basimsalim]

Very timely as I’m exploring an opportunity in Riyadh! Will reach out to you if I have more questions.

[tarny]

Interesting info . Just been watching your videos.

[deandean]

Hello, Thank you for your videos. Do you think you can make the video more interactive. For example: if you are talking about food cost, like take use to a grocery shop and show us how much things cost. For example, appartement, buying a car, hubbies.
It is just an idea. However, you are doing great jobs and really good information giving. Thank you

[haroldes]

Awesome video dude! Perhaps you already have responded this question, but those amounts you are breaking down are in SAR?

[casario]

Thanks. Very helpful. We are a family of 4 (kids 10 and 15) looking to move next year. One question is how bicycle-friendly is Jeddah? I suspect its not exactly full of bike lanes etc. but am considering finding accommodation within a couple kms of my work and riding in (with change of clothes lol)

[DR_dunya]

Housing in the city of Jeddah depends on the way you think financially anywhere in the world, it can be very financially acceptable and it can be expensive.