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Riyadh vs Dubai

Riyadh runs about 58% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 1,248 USD a month.

Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018
Riyadh
$2,169/month · Saudi Arabia
B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0
The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Riyadh monthly
$2,169
Index 34 (NYC = 100)
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+58%
Dubai relative to Riyadh
Rent gap
$1,000
Dubai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

RiyadhDubai
  • Housing
    Housing: Riyadh $1,100, Dubai $2,100. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Food
    Food: Riyadh $496, Dubai $620. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Transport
    Transport: Riyadh $85, Dubai $92. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Riyadh $204, Dubai $264. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Riyadh $35, Dubai $44. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Riyadh $170, Dubai $199. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Other
    Other: Riyadh $79, Dubai $98. 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

MetricRiyadhDubai
Cost
Total monthly cost2,169 USD✓3,417 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)34✓54
Housing1,100 USD✓2,100 USD
Utilities204 USD✓264 USD
Food496 USD✓620 USD
Transport85 USD✓92 USD
Healthcare35 USD✓44 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓199 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✓4,917 USD
Average local net salary2,600 USD3,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,200 USD✓4,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,800 USD✓5,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety80/10088/100✓
Healthcare74/10080/100✓
Air quality38/10048/100✓
Public transport45/10072/100✓
Walkability30/10055/100✓
English proficiency66/10088/100✓
Nightlife25/10086/100✓
Family friendliness72/10076/100✓
Median broadband140 Mbps300 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature26°C✓28°C
Summer high44°C41°C✓
Winter low9°C15°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,500 h✓
Annual rainfall110 mm90 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach accessNone nearby15 min✓
CurrencySARAED
Time zoneAsia/RiyadhAsia/Dubai

Riyadh runs about 58% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 1,248 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in RiyadhCost of living in DubaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Riyadh or Dubai cheaper?

Riyadh runs about 58% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 1,248 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Dubai compared with Riyadh?

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

Which has better quality of life, Riyadh or Dubai?

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