Saudi Arabia cost of living 2026

Saudi Arabia’s price level was 51% of the United States in 2023. That gives a simple starting point for judging day-to-day costs before you decide where to study.

Student life → Working & jobs →

Price level, against the United States

51%

A basket of goods costing $100 in the United States costs about $51 in Saudi Arabia, at market exchange rates. This is a whole-economy average from the World Bank (2023), not a student budget — rent near a university and a student's own habits move it a long way in both directions.

At 51% of the U.S. price level, Saudi Arabia is cheaper overall than the United States on the measure used here. It is a broad comparison, not a full student budget, so it does not tell you the price of a specific room, meal plan, or bus ride.

For a student budget, the biggest pressure usually comes from the costs that recur every month and the costs that differ most between cities, campuses, and housing choices. This comparison helps you judge the general level of spending, but it does not replace local budgeting for your exact university and lifestyle.

Saudi Arabia has 63 universities, including Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Alfaisal University, Knowledge International University, Al-baha University, Fahad Bin Sultan University, and Al-Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University. The country’s GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 62,690 USD.

If you are comparing destinations, the key takeaway is that Saudi Arabia sits below the U.S. price level while offering a large university base. Use that as a first filter, then check the costs that matter most for your own study plan before you commit.