Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Per Month for International Students

Saudi Arabia is one of the most prosperous and influential countries in the Middle East, with a rich culture and history. But how much does it cost to live there as a single person or an international student? In this blog, we will explore the various aspects of the cost of living in Saudi Arabia, such as housing, food, transportation, utilities, education, and entertainment. Read on to know more!

Why Live and Study in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is not only a land of oil and wealth, but also a land of opportunities and diversity. Compared to other popular expat destinations, the cost of living in Saudi Arabia is generally lower. Here are some of the reasons why you might want to choose Saudi Arabia as your destination to live and study abroad in 2024:

1. Saudi Arabia has a fast-growing and modern higher education system, with many top-ranked universities that offer numerous programs and degrees, especially in STEM fields.
2. Numerous scholarships and financial aid programs are available for international students, making studying in Saudi Arabia more affordable.
3. Many courses are taught in English, and the academic standards are high and internationally recognized.
4. You will also be able to explore the country’s stunning natural and historical attractions, like the Red Sea coast, the Empty Quarter desert, the ancient rock art of Al-Ula, and the futuristic city of Neom.

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia for International Students

The average monthly living cost for international students in Saudi Arabia can range from SAR 3,000 – 5,000 (USD 800 – 1,330). This estimation excludes tuition fees. Let’s break down the costs:

Item	Monthly Cost (in SAR)
Food	1,000
Transportation	400
Utilities	300
Entertainment	600
Others	700
Total	3,000

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Accommodation

One of the most important and expensive living costs in Saudi Arabia is the rent. According to the Numbeo, the average monthly rent for different types of student accommodations in Saudi Arabia in 2024 is as follows:

Accommodation Type	Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	1,891.77
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	1,427.63
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	3,235.87
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	2,249.28

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Food

Another important and variable living cost in Saudi Arabia is food. According to the Numbeo, the average monthly cost of food in Saudi Arabia in 2024 is about 1,000 SAR (267 USD). The following table shows some of the common grocery items and their prices in Saudi Arabia in 2024:

Grocery Item	Price
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	SAR 6.17
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	SAR 3.61
Rice (white), (1kg)	SAR 8.07
Eggs (regular) (12)	SAR 9.66
Local Cheese (1kg)	SAR 27.49
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	SAR 27.88
Apples (1kg)	SAR 7.85
Banana (1kg)	SAR 6.04
Oranges (1kg)	SAR 5.95
Tomato (1kg)	SAR 6.22
Potato (1kg)	SAR 4.59
Onion (1kg)	SAR 4.23
Lettuce (1 head)	SAR 4.54
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	SAR 2.30
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)	SAR 10.00
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 litre bottle)	SAR 6.78
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 litre bottle)	SAR 7.61

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Entertainment

Another living cost in Saudi Arabia that can affect your budget and lifestyle is entertainment. According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost of entertainment in Saudi Arabia in 2024 is about 600 SAR (160 USD). The following table shows some of the common entertainment options and their prices in Saudi Arabia in 2024:

Activity	Monthly Cost (SAR)
Cinema Ticket	50
Museum Entry	30
Local Restaurant Meal	40
Coffee Shop Visit	20

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Utilities

Another living cost in Saudi Arabia that you need to consider is utilities and bills. The average monthly cost of utilities and bills in Saudi Arabia in 2024 is about 300 SAR (80 USD). The following table shows some of the common utilities and bills and their prices in Saudi Arabia in 2024:

Utilities	Monthly Cost
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	SAR 387.09
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	SAR 132.39
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	SAR 273.31

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Transportation

Another cost of living in Saudi Arabia that you need to factor in your budget is transportation. The average monthly cost of transportation in Saudi Arabia in 2024 is about **400 SAR** (107 USD). The following table shows some of the common transportation options and their prices in Saudi Arabia in 2024:

Mode of Transportation	Monthly Cost
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	SAR 4
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	SAR 100
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	SAR 10
Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)	SAR 6
Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	SAR 50
Gasoline (1 litre)	SAR 2.32

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia: Average Tuition Fee

Another major expense that international students need to consider when studying in Saudi Arabia is the tuition fees. The tuition fees depend on the type, level, and duration of the program and degree, and the institution and the scholarship or grant that the student has. The average tuition fees for international students to study in public and private institutes in Saudi Arabia in 2024 are as follows:

Type of University	Average Tuition Fee
Public	SAR 10,000 – SAR 50,000 per year
Private	SAR 20,000 – SAR 75,000 per year

Things to Consider Before Moving to Saudi Arabia

Before moving to Saudi Arabia for your education in 2024, there are some things that you need to consider and prepare, such as: 

1. Ensure you have the necessary student visa and meet all immigration regulations.
2. Familiarize yourself with Saudi Arabian customs and dress modestly.
3. Public spaces might have separate sections for men and women.
4. Alcohol consumption and certain forms of entertainment are restricted.

FAQs

We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the cost of living in Saudi Arabia. For more updates on student life abroad, keep following Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!