Skip to content

London vs Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 46% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,882 USD a month.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018
Riyadh
$2,169/month · Saudi Arabia
B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Riyadh monthly
$2,169
Index 34 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-46%
Riyadh relative to London
Rent gap
$1,500
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonRiyadh
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Riyadh $1,100. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Riyadh $496. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Riyadh $85. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Riyadh $204. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Riyadh $35. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Riyadh $170. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, 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

MetricLondonRiyadh
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD2,169 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6334✓
Housing2,600 USD1,100 USD✓
Utilities267 USD204 USD✓
Food617 USD496 USD✓
Transport282 USD85 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓35 USD
Lifestyle169 USD✓170 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%0.0%✓
Left over each month1,902 USD6,165 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓2,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD1,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD2,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD2,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10080/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓74/100
Air quality60/100✓38/100
Public transport92/100✓45/100
Walkability90/100✓30/100
English proficiency100/100✓66/100
Nightlife94/100✓25/100
Family friendliness72/10072/100
Median broadband90 Mbps140 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓26°C
Summer high23°C✓44°C
Winter low3°C9°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h3,400 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm110 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access90 min✓None nearby
CurrencyGBPSAR
Time zoneEurope/LondonAsia/Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 46% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,882 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in LondonCost of living in RiyadhConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
London vs DublinLondon vs ZurichLondon vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Riyadh cheaper?

Riyadh runs about 46% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,882 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Riyadh compared with London?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,953 a month in London and $8,333 in Riyadh, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, London or Riyadh?

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Riyadh scores 80 and 74. London averages 12°C against 26°C in Riyadh.