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Dubai vs Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 37% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 1,248 USD a month.

The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018
Riyadh
$2,169/month · Saudi Arabia
B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Riyadh monthly
$2,169
Index 34 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-37%
Riyadh relative to Dubai
Rent gap
$1,000
Dubai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DubaiRiyadh
  • Housing
    Housing: Dubai $2,100, Riyadh $1,100. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Food
    Food: Dubai $620, Riyadh $496. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Transport
    Transport: Dubai $92, Riyadh $85. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Dubai $264, Riyadh $204. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Dubai $44, Riyadh $35. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Dubai $199, Riyadh $170. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Other
    Other: Dubai $98, 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

MetricDubaiRiyadh
Cost
Total monthly cost3,417 USD2,169 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5434✓
Housing2,100 USD1,100 USD✓
Utilities264 USD204 USD✓
Food620 USD496 USD✓
Transport92 USD85 USD✓
Healthcare44 USD35 USD✓
Lifestyle199 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 month4,917 USD6,165 USD✓
Average local net salary3,800 USD✓2,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD1,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,200 USD2,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre5,200 USD2,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety88/100✓80/100
Healthcare80/100✓74/100
Air quality48/100✓38/100
Public transport72/100✓45/100
Walkability55/100✓30/100
English proficiency88/100✓66/100
Nightlife86/100✓25/100
Family friendliness76/100✓72/100
Median broadband300 Mbps✓140 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C26°C✓
Summer high41°C✓44°C
Winter low15°C✓9°C
Sunshine hours per year3,500 h✓3,400 h
Annual rainfall90 mm✓110 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓None nearby
CurrencyAEDSAR
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAsia/Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 37% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 1,248 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in DubaiCost of living in RiyadhConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Dubai or Riyadh cheaper?

Riyadh runs about 37% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 1,248 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Riyadh compared with Dubai?

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

Which has better quality of life, Dubai or Riyadh?

Dubai scores 88/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Riyadh scores 80 and 74. Dubai averages 28°C against 26°C in Riyadh.