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Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 27% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 791 USD a month.

View of the beach at the Beach Rotana hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
$2,960/month · United Arab Emirates
Jpbowen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018
Riyadh
$2,169/month · Saudi Arabia
B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Riyadh monthly
$2,169
Index 34 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-27%
Riyadh relative to Abu Dhabi
Rent gap
$600
Abu Dhabi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Abu DhabiRiyadh
  • Housing
    Housing: Abu Dhabi $1,700, Riyadh $1,100. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Food
    Food: Abu Dhabi $597, Riyadh $496. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Transport
    Transport: Abu Dhabi $83, Riyadh $85. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Abu Dhabi $255, Riyadh $204. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Abu Dhabi $42, Riyadh $35. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi $191, Riyadh $170. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Other
    Other: Abu Dhabi $93, Riyadh $79. Cheaper in Riyadh.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAbu DhabiRiyadh
Cost
Total monthly cost2,960 USD2,169 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4634✓
Housing1,700 USD1,100 USD✓
Utilities255 USD204 USD✓
Food597 USD496 USD✓
Transport83 USD✓85 USD
Healthcare42 USD35 USD✓
Lifestyle191 USD170 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD8,333 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%0.0%
Left over each month5,373 USD6,165 USD✓
Average local net salary3,900 USD✓2,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD1,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD2,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD2,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓80/100
Healthcare80/100✓74/100
Air quality52/100✓38/100
Public transport55/100✓45/100
Walkability45/100✓30/100
English proficiency86/100✓66/100
Nightlife66/100✓25/100
Family friendliness80/100✓72/100
Median broadband290 Mbps✓140 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C26°C✓
Summer high42°C✓44°C
Winter low14°C✓9°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,400 h
Annual rainfall60 mm✓110 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓None nearby
CurrencyAEDSAR
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAsia/Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 27% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 791 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Abu DhabiCost of living in RiyadhConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Abu Dhabi vs DohaAbu Dhabi vs DubaiAbu Dhabi vs Tel Aviv
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Abu Dhabi or Riyadh cheaper?

Riyadh runs about 27% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 791 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Riyadh compared with Abu Dhabi?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Abu Dhabi and $8,333 in Riyadh, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh?

Abu Dhabi scores 92/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Riyadh scores 80 and 74. Abu Dhabi averages 28°C against 26°C in Riyadh.