# Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh: cost of living compared

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

- **Source:** https://cost-of-life.com/compare/abu-dhabi-vs-riyadh
- **Household priced:** one adult, one-bedroom in the centre, moderate lifestyle
- **Salary tested:** $100,000 gross per year

| Group | Metric | Abu Dhabi | Riyadh |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | Total monthly cost | 2,960 USD | 2,169 USD |
| Cost | Cost index (New York = 100) | 46 | 34 |
| Cost | Housing | 1,700 USD | 1,100 USD |
| Cost | Utilities | 255 USD | 204 USD |
| Cost | Food | 597 USD | 496 USD |
| Cost | Transport | 83 USD | 85 USD |
| Cost | Healthcare | 42 USD | 35 USD |
| Cost | Lifestyle | 191 USD | 170 USD |
| Income & tax | Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr | 8,333 USD | 8,333 USD |
| Income & tax | Effective tax + social rate | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Income & tax | Left over each month | 5,373 USD | 6,165 USD |
| Income & tax | Average local net salary | 3,900 USD | 2,600 USD |
| Housing | 1-bed rent, city centre | 1,700 USD | 1,100 USD |
| Housing | 3-bed rent, city centre | 3,400 USD | 2,200 USD |
| Housing | Buy price per m², centre | 4,200 USD | 2,800 USD |
| Quality of life | Safety | 92/100 | 80/100 |
| Quality of life | Healthcare | 80/100 | 74/100 |
| Quality of life | Air quality | 52/100 | 38/100 |
| Quality of life | Public transport | 55/100 | 45/100 |
| Quality of life | Walkability | 45/100 | 30/100 |
| Quality of life | English proficiency | 86/100 | 66/100 |
| Quality of life | Nightlife | 66/100 | 25/100 |
| Quality of life | Family friendliness | 80/100 | 72/100 |
| Quality of life | Median broadband | 290 Mbps | 140 Mbps |
| Climate | Average temperature | 28°C | 26°C |
| Climate | Summer high | 42°C | 44°C |
| Climate | Winter low | 14°C | 9°C |
| Climate | Sunshine hours per year | 3,400 h | 3,400 h |
| Climate | Annual rainfall | 60 mm | 110 mm |
| Practicalities | Remote-work visa | Yes | No |
| Practicalities | Beach access | 15 min | None nearby |
| Practicalities | Currency | AED | SAR |
| Practicalities | Time zone | Asia/Dubai | Asia/Riyadh |

Figures are modelled estimates. Methodology: https://cost-of-life.com/methodology