UAE vs KSA Cost of Living

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Housing

Monthly rent — family-appropriate units

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🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai)

Studio

AED 4,200–6,000 ($1,130–1,620)

1 Bedroom

AED 6,500–10,000 ($1,750–2,700)

2 Bedroom

AED 10,000–16,000 ($2,700–4,320)

3 Bedroom

AED 14,000–22,000 ($3,780–5,940)

Villa (compound)

AED 18,000–38,000 ($4,860–10,260)

🇸🇦 KSA (Riyadh)

Studio

SAR 3,500–5,500 ($930–1,465)

1 Bedroom

SAR 5,500–8,500 ($1,465–2,265)

2 Bedroom

SAR 8,500–14,000 ($2,265–3,730)

3 Bedroom

SAR 12,000–20,000 ($3,200–5,330)

Villa (gated)

SAR 15,000–30,000 ($4,000–7,995)

🛒

Groceries

Monthly basket — family of 4

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🇦🇪 UAE

Monthly spend

AED 2,400–3,800 ($645–1,025)

Anchor stores

Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys — plus Choithrams, Union Co-op

Meat & fish

AED 600–1,000/mo at butcher/fish market

🇸🇦 KSA

Monthly spend

SAR 1,800–3,000 ($480–800)

Anchor stores

Tamimi, Carrefour, Danube, Lulu

Meat & fish

SAR 500–900/mo at local souq

🎓

Schools

Annual tuition — British / American / IB

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🇦🇪 UAE

British curriculum

AED 35,000–72,000 ($9,450–19,440)

American curriculum

AED 38,000–85,000 ($10,260–22,950)

IB (International Baccalaureate)

AED 45,000–95,000 ($12,150–25,650)

Sibling discount

Available at most schools (5–15%)

🇸🇦 KSA

British curriculum

SAR 30,000–60,000 ($8,000–16,000)

American curriculum

SAR 32,000–65,000 ($8,530–17,330)

IB (International Baccalaureate)

SAR 40,000–75,000 ($10,665–20,000)

Note

Arabic & Islamic studies mandatory for Saudi-resident children

🚗

Transport

Petrol, metro, rides, car leasing

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🇦🇪 UAE

Petrol (litre)

AED 2.76 (RON 95) $0.75/L

Metro / bus pass

AED 350–500/mo ($95–135)

Careem to airport

AED 55–85 ($15–23)

Car lease (entry)

AED 1,500–2,500/mo ($400–675)

🇸🇦 KSA

Petrol (litre)

SAR 2.33 (RON 91) $0.62/L

Metro / bus pass

SAR 100–200/mo ($27–53)

Uber to airport

SAR 45–80 ($12–21)

Car lease (entry)

SAR 1,200–2,200/mo ($320–585)

⚡

Utilities & Internet

DEWA / SEC, mobile, fibre

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🇦🇪 UAE (DEWA)

Electricity + water (2BR apt)

AED 500–1,100/mo ($135–297)

Fibre internet (100Mbps)

AED 299–499/mo ($81–135)

Mobile (family, 2 lines)

AED 200–400/mo ($54–108)

AC (summer load)

+AED 400–800/mo in peak months (Jun–Sep)

🇸🇦 KSA (SEC)

Electricity (2BR apt)

SAR 200–450/mo ($53–120)

Fibre internet (100Mbps)

SAR 200–350/mo ($53–93)

Mobile (family, 2 lines)

SAR 150–300/mo ($40–80)

AC (summer load)

+SAR 300–600/mo in peak months (Jun–Sep)

📊

Tax & Take-Home

Personal, corporate, mandatory fees

0% income tax

🇦🇪 UAE

Personal income tax

0% — no withholding

VAT

5% on goods & services

Corporate tax (expatriates)

9% above AED 375k net profit

Iqama (work permit) fee

AED 1,030/yr (per employee)

🇸🇦 KSA

Personal income tax (non-Saudis)

0% (Saudis: 20% bands)

VAT

15% (raised from 5% in Jan 2020)

Corporate tax (non-Saudis)

20% (20% above SAR 0)

Iqama / dependent fees

SAR 800–960/yr per dependent (can add up for families)

Zakat

GCC nationals only; 2.5% of net wealth

☕

Lifestyle Fit

The non-negotiables families ask about

🇦🇪 UAE

Alcohol

Licensed venues & at home (non-Muslims). Not sold in malls.

Dress code

Modest public dress expected; beach/pool areas exempt.

Women driving

Legal, common, no special permit needed.

Weekend

Friday–Saturday (Fri morning also a work day for some)

Entertainment

Broad. Cinema, concerts, theme parks, nightlife, beach clubs.

🇸🇦 KSA

Alcohol

Strictly prohibited. Zero tolerance for possession.

Dress code

More conservative. Abaya expected in public for women (not legally required for non-Muslim foreigners in private venues).

Women driving

Legal since June 2018 — women drive freely.

Weekend

Friday–Saturday. Thu afternoon / Fri often non-work.

Entertainment

Rapidly expanding since Vision 2030 — concerts, cinemas, sports events, Qiddiya, Red Sea Project.

UAE vs KSA: The Real Numbers

Housing

Groceries

Schools

Transport

Utilities & Internet

Tax & Take-Home

Lifestyle Fit

Get the full report