🇦🇪 Dubai vs 🇸🇦 Riyadh
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Riyadh is 23% cheaper than Dubai
Quick answer
Comparing Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,400 in Dubai versus $1,850 in Riyadh. Riyadh is roughly 23% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $2,300/mo (Dubai) vs $900/mo (Riyadh). Estimates use World Bank PPP data + national statistics + (where available) item-level price snapshots.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,400/mo in Dubai single person — rent + food + transport + utilities.
- Moderate budget: $1,850/mo in Riyadh single person — like-for-like comparison.
- Central 1-bed rent $2,300/mo in Dubai · $900/mo in Riyadh.
- Cheaper overall: Riyadh ~23% cheaper than Dubai.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 🇸🇦 Riyadh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,700/mo | $1,300/mo | -24% |
| Moderate | $2,400/mo | $1,850/mo | -23% |
| Comfortable | $3,600/mo | $2,800/mo | -22% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 🇸🇦 Riyadh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $2,300/mo | $900/mo | -61% |
| Groceries & Food | $480/mo | $370/mo | -23% |
| Dining Out | $200/mo | $120/mo | -40% |
| Transport | $80/mo | $0/mo | -100% |
| Utilities & Internet | $240/mo | $185/mo | -23% |
| Healthcare | $192/mo | $148/mo | -23% |
| Leisure & Personal | $168/mo | $130/mo | -23% |
Housing (1-bed, center)
Dubai
$2,300
Riyadh
$900
Groceries & Food
Dubai
$480
Riyadh
$370
Dining Out
Dubai
$200
Riyadh
$120
Transport
Dubai
$80
Riyadh
$0
Utilities & Internet
Dubai
$240
Riyadh
$185
Healthcare
Dubai
$192
Riyadh
$148
Leisure & Personal
Dubai
$168
Riyadh
$130
Quick Facts
🇦🇪 Dubai
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,400
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,300/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $10.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $80
- Internet speed
- 200 Mbps
- Safety index
- 88/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 88/100
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
🇸🇦 Riyadh
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,850
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $900/mo
- Cappuccino
- $5.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $6.00
- Internet speed
- 120 Mbps
- Safety index
- 82/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 78/100
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
Explore more: Dubai city guide | Riyadh city guide | United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubai or Riyadh cheaper to live in?
Riyadh is approximately 23% cheaper than Dubai overall.
How much does it cost to live in Dubai per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Dubai is approximately $2,400, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
How much does it cost to live in Riyadh per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Riyadh is approximately $1,850, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
What is the rent difference between Dubai and Riyadh?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $2,300/month in Dubai and $900/month in Riyadh.