Cost of Living: Saudi Arabia vs Singapore

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Saudi Arabia is 81.0% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Property Prices, where costs are 92.2% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $19 in Saudi Arabia for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Property Prices 92.2%

Saudi Arabia is 92.2% cheaper

Rent Per Month 84.3%

Saudi Arabia is 84.3% cheaper

Transportation 82.6%

Saudi Arabia is 82.6% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 81.0%

Saudi Arabia is 81.0% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +86.7%
  • Sports And Leisure +7.2%

Is Saudi Arabia cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Saudi Arabia is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Saudi Arabia are 81.0% lower than in Singapore.

Where Saudi Arabia is cheaper:

  • Property Prices 92.2% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 84.3% cheaper
  • Transportation 82.6% cheaper

Where Saudi Arabia is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 86.7% more expensive
  • Sports And Leisure 7.2% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Saudi Arabia: 6.67 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
38.8% cheaper in Saudi Arabia

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Saudi Arabia: 482.08 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
84.7% cheaper in Saudi Arabia

Monthly public transport pass

Saudi Arabia: 37.33 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
60.1% cheaper in Saudi Arabia

1 liter of milk

Saudi Arabia: 1.70 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
43.5% cheaper in Saudi Arabia

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Saudi Arabia is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 81.0% on living expenses by choosing Saudi Arabia over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

81.0%

Saudi Arabia is 81.0% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

41.8%

Saudi Arabia is 41.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Markets

52.5%

Saudi Arabia is 52.5% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

42.8%

Saudi Arabia is 42.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Transportation

82.6%

Saudi Arabia is 82.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

32.2%

Saudi Arabia is 32.2% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

86.7%

Saudi Arabia is 86.7% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

7.2%

Saudi Arabia is 7.2% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Childcare

75.8%

Saudi Arabia is 75.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

18.3%

Saudi Arabia is 18.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

84.3%

Saudi Arabia is 84.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

92.2%

Saudi Arabia is 92.2% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

48.0%

Saudi Arabia is 48.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Saudi Arabia Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 6.67 $ 10.90 $ 38.8%
Saudi Arabia is 38.8% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 39.99 $ 77.88 $ 48.7%
Saudi Arabia is 48.7% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 8.00 $ 7.79 $ 2.7%
Saudi Arabia is 2.7% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.63 $ 4.88 $ 25.6%
Saudi Arabia is 25.6% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.74 $ 1.68 $ 56.0%
Saudi Arabia is 56.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.25 $ 1.22 $ 79.5%
Saudi Arabia is 79.5% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.59 $ 1.52 $ 61.2%
Saudi Arabia is 61.2% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.24 $ 2.00 $ 12.0%
Saudi Arabia is 12.0% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.07 $ 2.49 $ 23.3%
Saudi Arabia is 23.3% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 4.76 $ 10.00 $ 52.4%
Saudi Arabia is 52.4% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.34 $ 2.21 $ 39.4%
Saudi Arabia is 39.4% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.70 $ 3.01 $ 43.5%
Saudi Arabia is 43.5% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.00 $ 2.35 $ 57.4%
Saudi Arabia is 57.4% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 2.21 $ 2.92 $ 24.3%
Saudi Arabia is 24.3% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.58 $ 3.35 $ 23.0%
Saudi Arabia is 23.0% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 7.33 $ 19.37 $ 62.2%
Saudi Arabia is 62.2% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 7.98 $ 11.15 $ 28.4%
Saudi Arabia is 28.4% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 10.61 $ 15.21 $ 30.2%
Saudi Arabia is 30.2% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.17 $ 4.57 $ 52.5%
Saudi Arabia is 52.5% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.64 $ 2.97 $ 44.8%
Saudi Arabia is 44.8% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.65 $ 4.51 $ 63.4%
Saudi Arabia is 63.4% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.61 $ 2.71 $ 40.6%
Saudi Arabia is 40.6% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.33 $ 2.39 $ 44.4%
Saudi Arabia is 44.4% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.33 $ 2.20 $ 39.5%
Saudi Arabia is 39.5% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.20 $ 1.86 $ 35.5%
Saudi Arabia is 35.5% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 37.33 $ 93.46 $ 60.1%
Saudi Arabia is 60.1% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 7.47 $ 13.05 $ 42.8%
Saudi Arabia is 42.8% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.07 $ 1.56 $ 31.4%
Saudi Arabia is 31.4% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 2.67 $ 3.58 $ 25.4%
Saudi Arabia is 25.4% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 2.40 $ 0.78 $ 207.7%
Saudi Arabia is 207.7% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 13.33 $ 16.28 $ 18.1%
Saudi Arabia is 18.1% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.62 $ 2.22 $ 72.1%
Saudi Arabia is 72.1% cheaper
New Economy Car 24,395.14 $ 140,192.38 $ 82.6%
Saudi Arabia is 82.6% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 22,298.33 $ 128,887.54 $ 82.7%
Saudi Arabia is 82.7% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 107.32 $ 158.22 $ 32.2%
Saudi Arabia is 32.2% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 33.71 $ 18.54 $ 81.8%
Saudi Arabia is 81.8% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 71.74 $ 37.95 $ 89.0%
Saudi Arabia is 89.0% more expensive
Gym Membership 93.18 $ 115.77 $ 19.5%
Saudi Arabia is 19.5% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 40.53 $ 12.22 $ 231.7%
Saudi Arabia is 231.7% more expensive
Movie Ticket 16.00 $ 11.68 $ 37.0%
Saudi Arabia is 37.0% more expensive
Private Preschool (Full Day) 342.07 $ 1,272.43 $ 73.1%
Saudi Arabia is 73.1% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 7,158.91 $ 29,780.50 $ 76.0%
Saudi Arabia is 76.0% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 51.09 $ 80.91 $ 36.9%
Saudi Arabia is 36.9% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 58.78 $ 42.93 $ 36.9%
Saudi Arabia is 36.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 94.82 $ 105.33 $ 10.0%
Saudi Arabia is 10.0% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 85.57 $ 126.28 $ 32.2%
Saudi Arabia is 32.2% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 482.08 $ 3,140.74 $ 84.7%
Saudi Arabia is 84.7% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 403.92 $ 2,267.71 $ 82.2%
Saudi Arabia is 82.2% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 882.12 $ 6,205.41 $ 85.8%
Saudi Arabia is 85.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 635.50 $ 3,723.55 $ 82.9%
Saudi Arabia is 82.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,807.56 $ 22,697.92 $ 92.0%
Saudi Arabia is 92.0% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,122.20 $ 15,076.91 $ 92.6%
Saudi Arabia is 92.6% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,154.45 $ 4,151.48 $ 48.1%
Saudi Arabia is 48.1% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.68 3.17 47.6%
Saudi Arabia is 47.6% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Singapore. Enter your monthly expenses in Saudi Arabia to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Saudi Arabia and Singapore goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Saudi Arabia vs Singapore

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Saudi Arabia Cost of living in Singapore

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