🇸🇦 Riyadh vs 🇶🇦 Doha
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Riyadh is 27% cheaper than Doha
Quick answer
Comparing Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Doha, Qatar: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $1,850 in Riyadh versus $2,550 in Doha. Riyadh is roughly 27% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $900/mo (Riyadh) vs $1,400/mo (Doha). Estimates use World Bank PPP data + national statistics + (where available) item-level price snapshots.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $1,850/mo in Riyadh single person — rent + food + transport + utilities.
- Moderate budget: $2,550/mo in Doha single person — like-for-like comparison.
- Central 1-bed rent $900/mo in Riyadh · $1,400/mo in Doha.
- Cheaper overall: Riyadh ~27% cheaper than Doha.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇸🇦 Riyadh | 🇶🇦 Doha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,300/mo | $1,800/mo | +38% |
| Moderate | $1,850/mo | $2,550/mo | +38% |
| Comfortable | $2,800/mo | $3,850/mo | +38% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇸🇦 Riyadh | 🇶🇦 Doha | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $900/mo | $1,400/mo | +56% |
| Groceries & Food | $370/mo | $510/mo | +38% |
| Dining Out | $120/mo | $160/mo | +33% |
| Transport | $0/mo | $0/mo | 0% |
| Utilities & Internet | $185/mo | $255/mo | +38% |
| Healthcare | $148/mo | $204/mo | +38% |
| Leisure & Personal | $130/mo | $179/mo | +38% |
Housing (1-bed, center)
Riyadh
$900
Doha
$1,400
Groceries & Food
Riyadh
$370
Doha
$510
Dining Out
Riyadh
$120
Doha
$160
Transport
Riyadh
$0
Doha
$0
Utilities & Internet
Riyadh
$185
Doha
$255
Healthcare
Riyadh
$148
Doha
$204
Leisure & Personal
Riyadh
$130
Doha
$179
Quick Facts
🇸🇦 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
🇶🇦 Doha
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,550
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,400/mo
- Cappuccino
- $5.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $8.00
- Internet speed
- 145 Mbps
- Safety index
- 90/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 93/100
- Country
- Qatar
Explore more: Riyadh city guide | Doha city guide | Saudi Arabia | Qatar
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riyadh or Doha cheaper to live in?
Riyadh is approximately 27% cheaper than Doha overall.
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.
How much does it cost to live in Doha per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Doha is approximately $2,550, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
What is the rent difference between Riyadh and Doha?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $900/month in Riyadh and $1,400/month in Doha.