Skip to content

Riyadh vs Abu Dhabi

Riyadh runs about 36% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 791 USD a month.

Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018
Riyadh
$2,169/month · Saudi Arabia
B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0
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 monthly
$2,169
Index 34 (NYC = 100)
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+36%
Abu Dhabi relative to Riyadh
Rent gap
$600
Abu Dhabi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

RiyadhAbu Dhabi
  • Housing
    Housing: Riyadh $1,100, Abu Dhabi $1,700. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Food
    Food: Riyadh $496, Abu Dhabi $597. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Transport
    Transport: Riyadh $85, Abu Dhabi $83. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Riyadh $204, Abu Dhabi $255. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Riyadh $35, Abu Dhabi $42. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Riyadh $170, Abu Dhabi $191. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Other
    Other: Riyadh $79, Abu Dhabi $93. 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

MetricRiyadhAbu Dhabi
Cost
Total monthly cost2,169 USD✓2,960 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)34✓46
Housing1,100 USD✓1,700 USD
Utilities204 USD✓255 USD
Food496 USD✓597 USD
Transport85 USD83 USD✓
Healthcare35 USD✓42 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓191 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD8,333 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%0.0%
Left over each month6,165 USD✓5,373 USD
Average local net salary2,600 USD3,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,200 USD✓3,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,800 USD✓4,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety80/10092/100✓
Healthcare74/10080/100✓
Air quality38/10052/100✓
Public transport45/10055/100✓
Walkability30/10045/100✓
English proficiency66/10086/100✓
Nightlife25/10066/100✓
Family friendliness72/10080/100✓
Median broadband140 Mbps290 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature26°C✓28°C
Summer high44°C42°C✓
Winter low9°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,400 h
Annual rainfall110 mm60 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach accessNone nearby15 min✓
CurrencySARAED
Time zoneAsia/RiyadhAsia/Dubai

Riyadh runs about 36% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 791 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in RiyadhCost of living in Abu DhabiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Riyadh vs DohaRiyadh vs IstanbulRiyadh vs Dubai
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Riyadh or Abu Dhabi cheaper?

Riyadh runs about 36% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 791 USD a month.

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

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

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

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