Cost of Living in Jeddah 2026: Complete Expat Budget Breakdown

Jeddah Cost of Living Overview

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's second-largest city and its commercial gateway to the Red Sea, offers a compelling blend of coastal living, cultural heritage, and growing economic opportunity. Historically more cosmopolitan and relaxed than the capital Riyadh, Jeddah has long been the preferred Saudi city for expats who value a more laid-back lifestyle. The city's Red Sea coastline, UNESCO-listed Al-Balad historic district, and proximity to Mecca make it culturally rich, while NEOM and the Red Sea tourism megaprojects are driving a new wave of professional opportunities along the western coast.

Based on 2026 data, a single professional can live comfortably in Jeddah on SAR 7,000-12,000 per month (approximately USD 1,870-3,200), while a family of four should budget SAR 16,000-27,000 per month (USD 4,270-7,200) excluding school fees. Jeddah is slightly more affordable than Riyadh for housing, with comparable costs for groceries and dining, making it one of the best-value coastal cities in the GCC.

Jeddah's cost of living index sits at approximately 42 compared to New York City's baseline of 100. The city's Red Sea lifestyle — beach access, waterfront dining, and year-round warm weather — provides a quality of life that rivals far more expensive coastal cities worldwide. Combined with zero income tax and competitive Saudi employer packages, Jeddah delivers exceptional value for professionals and families.

Housing: The Biggest Expense

Housing in Jeddah is affordable by GCC standards and generally 10-15% cheaper than Riyadh. The city's layout stretches along the Red Sea coast, with the most desirable areas located along the Corniche and in the northern districts. The rental market has been stable, with moderate supply growth keeping prices in check despite increasing expat arrivals.

Apartment Rental Prices (Monthly)

• Studio apartment (Al Hamra/Al Rawdah): SAR 1,500-3,000 — Central neighborhoods near the Corniche with easy access to shopping, restaurants, and the old city. Mix of older and renovated buildings.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Al Shati/Corniche area): SAR 3,000-5,000 — Premium sea-facing locations along Jeddah's iconic waterfront. Newer towers with views command the higher end.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Al Salamah/Al Muhammadiyah): SAR 2,500-4,000 — Well-established northern residential areas with good amenities, supermarkets, and hospitals. Popular with mid-level professionals.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Obhur/North Jeddah): SAR 3,500-5,500 — The fastest-growing residential area near Jeddah's northern beaches and the future Jeddah Tower site. Newer developments at competitive prices.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Al Aziziyah/Al Safa): SAR 2,500-4,000 — Central areas with older but spacious apartments. Good value for families seeking proximity to schools and hospitals.
• 3-bedroom apartment (Al Rawdah/Al Nahdah): SAR 3,500-5,500 — Established neighborhoods with family-sized apartments and easy highway access.

Villa Rental Prices (Monthly)

• 3-bedroom villa (compound, Al Shati): SAR 8,000-13,000 — Gated Western-style compounds near the Corniche with shared pools, gyms, and social areas. Very popular with expat families.
• 3-bedroom standalone villa (Al Muhammadiyah): SAR 5,000-8,000 — Independent villas in established residential neighborhoods. More privacy and space than compound living.
• 4-bedroom villa (compound, Obhur): SAR 10,000-16,000 — Beachfront compound communities along Jeddah's northern coast. Some compounds have private beach access.
• 3-bedroom villa (Al Hamdaniyah/Al Marwah): SAR 4,000-6,500 — Affordable suburban villas in developing areas south and east of the city center. Best value for large family homes.

Rental Market Essentials

Jeddah's rental market shares the same regulatory framework as Riyadh:

• Ejar platform: All tenancy contracts must be registered on the Ejar platform. Mandatory for iqama processing and government services.
• Payment structure: Monthly or quarterly bank transfers are standard. Annual payments are also common, sometimes with a discount.
• Security deposit: Typically one to two months' rent, refundable at lease end.
• Broker fee: Usually 2.5% of annual rent from each party, totaling 5%. Many properties are also listed directly by landlords on platforms like Aqar and Bayut.
• Flooding risk: Parts of Jeddah are susceptible to flash flooding during the November-January rainy season. Avoid ground-floor apartments in low-lying areas, particularly in south Jeddah. Ask about historical flooding before signing a lease.
• Compound vs. standalone: Compounds offer Western-style living with mixed-gender socializing and recreational facilities at a 20-40% premium. For families new to Saudi Arabia, the community aspect is highly valued.

Groceries and Dining

Grocery Costs

Jeddah has a competitive supermarket market with excellent variety due to its port-city status:

• Budget supermarkets (BinDawood, Panda, Al Raya): SAR 550-900/month for a single person. BinDawood is a Jeddah institution, offering excellent prices on produce, meat, and imported goods.
• Mid-range supermarkets (Tamimi, Danube, Carrefour): SAR 900-1,400/month. Wide selection of international products and quality fresh food.
• Premium supermarkets (Manuel Market, LuLu Hypermarket): SAR 1,400-1,800/month. Specialty items, organic ranges, and gourmet products.

Common item prices:

• Milk (1 liter): SAR 5-7
• Bread (loaf): SAR 3-7
• Rice (1 kg): SAR 5-12
• Chicken breast (1 kg): SAR 16-26
• Eggs (dozen): SAR 7-13
• Apples (1 kg): SAR 7-14
• Water (1.5L bottle): SAR 1-2

Dining Out

Jeddah's dining scene is vibrant and diverse, benefiting from its centuries-long history as a trading port:

• Fast food meal: SAR 20-35
• Casual restaurant (per person): SAR 25-55
• Mid-range restaurant (2 people, 3 courses): SAR 140-280
• Fine dining (per person): SAR 200-500+
• Cafe coffee (specialty): SAR 15-25
• Local shawarma/foul plate: SAR 5-12
• Food delivery (average order): SAR 25-50 plus SAR 5-10 delivery fee

Budget tip: Jeddah's Al Balad area and the streets around Bab Makkah offer some of the most authentic and affordable food in Saudi Arabia. Yemeni, Hijazi, Indian, and Indonesian restaurants serve full meals for SAR 10-20. The city's seafood is exceptional and affordable — fish markets along the Corniche sell fresh catch daily, and grilled fish restaurants nearby serve full meals for SAR 25-40.

Transportation

Jeddah is currently car-dependent, though major infrastructure projects are underway:

Public Transport

• Jeddah Bus (SAPTCO): Limited bus network connecting key corridors. SAR 3-5 per ride. Service is improving but coverage remains sparse compared to Riyadh's metro system.
• Jeddah Metro (under construction): A light rail system is being developed as part of the Jeddah Transportation Plan, with initial lines expected to begin service by 2028. This will significantly improve connectivity.
• Haramain High Speed Train: Connects Jeddah to Makkah (30 minutes) and Madinah (2 hours). SAR 50-150 one way depending on class. Excellent for Umrah/Hajj travel and weekend visits.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Taxi (10 km ride): SAR 12-25. Traditional taxis are available but ride-hailing dominates.
• Uber/Careem: The primary transport mode for non-car-owners. Very affordable — a 10 km ride costs SAR 10-22. Widely available across the city.
• Airport transfer (King Abdulaziz to Corniche): SAR 40-70 by ride-hailing.

Private Vehicle

• Fuel (per liter): SAR 2.18-2.33 (same nationwide Saudi pricing).
• Car payment (mid-range sedan): SAR 1,200-2,500/month for financing.
• Insurance: SAR 1,500-4,000/year.
• No road tolls: Jeddah has no toll system.
• Parking: Mostly free in residential areas. SAR 2-5/hour in commercial zones. The Corniche area has expanding paid parking, and malls offer free parking.

Utilities

Jeddah shares the same utility providers as the rest of Saudi Arabia:

• Electricity (apartment): SAR 150-500/month. Jeddah's more moderate coastal climate means lower AC bills than Riyadh during summer, though humidity drives consistent AC use year-round.
• Water (apartment): SAR 40-120/month via NWC.
• Electricity + Water (villa): SAR 400-1,200/month combined.
• Internet (STC/Mobily/Zain): SAR 200-400/month for 100-500 Mbps fiber. Coverage is excellent in northern districts; some older areas in south Jeddah may have limited fiber availability.
• Mobile phone plan: SAR 100-250/month.

Jeddah's coastal humidity means AC runs year-round, but the absence of Riyadh's extreme summer heat (50+ degrees) means summer electricity bills are typically 20-30% lower. Overall utility costs in Jeddah average SAR 500-800/month for a typical apartment.

Healthcare

Jeddah has strong healthcare infrastructure, with several internationally accredited hospitals:

• Health insurance: Mandatory under CCHI for all expat residents. Employer-provided as standard.
• GP consultation (private): SAR 130-350 per visit (insurance co-pay SAR 20-50).
• Specialist consultation: SAR 250-600 per visit.
• Dental checkup: SAR 130-300.
• Emergency room visit: SAR 180-1,000+ depending on treatment.

Major hospitals include Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah, International Medical Center (IMC), and King Fahd Hospital (government). IMC and Fakeeh are among the highest-rated private hospitals in the kingdom. Healthcare costs in Jeddah are comparable to Riyadh, with the same CCHI insurance framework ensuring baseline coverage.

Education

Jeddah has a well-established international school sector:

• International schools (per year): SAR 18,000-50,000 depending on curriculum and reputation. British, American, and IB curricula available.
• Premium schools (per year): SAR 50,000-65,000 for top schools like the British International School of Jeddah and the American International School Jeddah.
• Indian/Pakistani curriculum schools (per year): SAR 6,000-16,000. Well-established schools including Al Falah International School and International Indian School Jeddah.
• Nursery/preschool (per month): SAR 1,200-3,500.

Jeddah's school market is competitive and growing, with fees generally 5-10% lower than Riyadh for comparable quality. Employers in the logistics, maritime, and NEOM-adjacent sectors often provide education allowances of SAR 20,000-50,000 per child.

Detailed Monthly Budget Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single Professional (Moderate Lifestyle)

Scenario 2: Couple (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Scenario 3: Family of Four (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Money-Saving Tips for Jeddah

• Choose north Jeddah for best value: Areas like Obhur and Al Muhammadiyah offer newer apartments and villas at 15-25% less than premium Corniche-front locations, with the bonus of quieter beaches and less congested roads.
• Buy seafood from the fish market: Jeddah's central fish market near the Corniche sells fresh Red Sea catch at wholesale prices. A full family fish dinner from the market costs SAR 30-50 versus SAR 100-200 at a restaurant. Many restaurants adjacent to fish markets will grill your purchase for a small fee.
• Use ride-hailing strategically: Until the metro opens, Uber/Careem is often cheaper than car ownership for singles and couples. Budget SAR 500-800/month for daily ride-hailing versus SAR 1,500-2,500/month for car payments, insurance, and fuel combined.
• Take advantage of the Corniche: Jeddah's 30-km Corniche is free and offers walking, cycling, playgrounds, sculptures, and waterfront dining at various price points. It is the city's social hub and costs nothing to enjoy.
• Shop during Saudi sales seasons: Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Saudi National Day (September 23), and Founding Day (February 22) bring 30-70% discounts. BinDawood and Danube run aggressive promotions during these periods.
• Negotiate your employer package: Jeddah employers in logistics, maritime, aviation, and NEOM-adjacent roles offer comprehensive packages. Push for housing allowance, education grants, annual flights, and furniture allowance — these can add 30-50% to your effective compensation.