Saudi Arabia is the largest employer of South Asian migrant workers in the world. Over 3.5 million workers from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal are currently employed across the Kingdom. Yet a large proportion arrive without a realistic picture of what day-to-day life costs — because most recruitment agents have zero incentive to give you one.
This guide fixes that. Every figure below comes from the MHRSD (Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development) 2026 cost monitoring data, cross-referenced with on-the-ground reporting from the Riyadh and Jeddah expat communities.
📋 Source note: MHRSD publishes quarterly wage and cost-of-living monitoring reports covering 12 major Saudi cities. The figures in this article are drawn from the Q1 2026 report covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam — the three cities where most South Asian workers are employed.
1. Accommodation — The Biggest Variable
Rent is the expense with the most variation, and it has the single largest impact on how much you save. Here are the realistic 2026 figures:
| Accommodation Type | Riyadh (SAR/month) | Jeddah (SAR/month) | Dammam (SAR/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared room (4–6 workers, basic) | 250–350 | 280–380 | 230–320 |
| Private room in shared flat | 600–850 | 650–900 | 550–780 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 1,400–1,900 | 1,500–2,000 | 1,200–1,700 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2,000–3,000 | 2,200–3,200 | 1,800–2,700 |
| Employer-provided (camp/shared) | SAR 0 — Free (most construction & manufacturing employers) | ||
Critical point: If your employer provides free accommodation — which is standard in construction, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and large hospitality groups — your cost structure changes entirely. Workers with free housing can save 40–60% of their salary. Workers paying their own rent in a shared room save 20–35% on a moderate salary.
2. Food — More Affordable Than You Think (If You Cook)
Saudi Arabia has two food economies running in parallel. The expensive one (Western supermarkets, branded restaurants, malls) is not for expat workers on tight budgets. The affordable one — Asian grocery stores, local souks, and South Asian street-food restaurants — is where your food budget lives.
| Item | Price (SAR) |
|---|---|
| 5 kg basmati rice (Asian grocery) | SAR 18–25 |
| 1 kg chicken (fresh, local market) | SAR 14–18 |
| 12 eggs | SAR 7–10 |
| 1 kg red lentils (dal) | SAR 5–8 |
| 1 litre cooking oil | SAR 8–12 |
| Flat bread (loaf / ruqqaq) | SAR 2–3 |
| South Asian restaurant meal (rice + curry) | SAR 10–18 |
| Shawarma or falafel wrap | SAR 5–9 |
Monthly food budget estimates:
- Home cooking (South Asian diet): SAR 380–500/month
- Mix of home + occasional restaurant: SAR 550–750/month
- Eating out daily at cheap restaurants: SAR 800–1,200/month
Home cooking is the single most effective way to maximise your savings. Workers who cook in groups — sharing ingredients and cooking duties — consistently spend 30–40% less on food than those who eat out.
3. Transport — Highly Variable by City and Employer
Saudi Arabia's public transport infrastructure is improving but remains limited outside Riyadh. Here is the realistic 2026 picture:
- Riyadh Metro: SAR 4–8 per trip. Monthly unlimited pass: approximately SAR 160. Covers most of Riyadh's central and northern areas well.
- Jeddah / Dammam: Limited bus routes. Most workers rely on employer transport, shared taxis, or Uber/Careem.
- Employer-provided buses: Common for construction sites, factories, and large facilities. Free for workers.
- Shared taxi (Toyota Coaster routes): SAR 3–8 per ride on fixed routes popular with expat workers.
- Uber / Careem: SAR 18–40 per typical commute trip. Expensive if used daily — adds up to SAR 400–800/month.
Realistic monthly transport budget: SAR 100–180 if employer transport or Riyadh Metro available; SAR 250–400 if relying on shared taxis or app rides.
4. Utilities, Communications & Internet
Most workers in shared accommodation pay a proportional share of utilities. In a 4-person shared flat, your portion averages:
- Electricity + water (subsidised in KSA): SAR 30–60 per person/month
- Home WiFi (split 4 ways): SAR 25–40 per person/month
- Mobile SIM — STC prepaid (15GB + 100 mins): SAR 65/month
- Mobile SIM — Zain or Mobily budget plan (5GB): SAR 35–45/month
Total utilities + comms budget: SAR 80–140/month per person.
5. Healthcare in Saudi Arabia
Saudi law requires all employers to provide health insurance for expatriate workers. However, coverage quality varies significantly:
- Basic employer plan: Covers emergency treatment and GP consultations at network clinics. Co-pay typically SAR 20–50 per visit.
- Specialist consultation (out-of-network): SAR 150–400
- Prescription medicines: SAR 30–120 for common medications
- Dental (not usually covered): SAR 200–500 for basic treatment
Always verify your insurance coverage level before travelling. Workers with chronic conditions should ensure their policy covers ongoing treatment.
6. Remittance — Sending Money Home
This is the whole point of being in Saudi Arabia. Here are the most cost-effective transfer options in 2026:
| Service | Fee | Exchange Rate | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise (TransferWise) | ~0.5–1.2% variable | Real mid-market rate | 1–2 days | Largest savings over time |
| Remitly (Express) | SAR 0 (exchange rate margin) | Slightly below mid-market | Minutes | Speed-sensitive transfers |
| Al Rajhi Bank transfer | SAR 10–25 flat fee | Bank rate (lower) | Same day | Familiar, widely used |
| Exchange house (Sarafa) | SAR 8–20 flat fee | Negotiable for large amounts | Same day / next day | Cash senders |
| STC Pay | SAR 0–15 | Variable | Instant | Existing STC customers |
Tip: On a monthly transfer of SAR 800, using Wise instead of a bank transfer saves approximately SAR 15–25 per month — SAR 180–300 per year. Over a 2-year contract, that is a meaningful additional saving.
Complete Monthly Budget Summary — Saudi Arabia 2026
| Expense | With Employer Housing | Shared Room (Self-Pay) | Private Room (Self-Pay) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | SAR 0 | SAR 300 | SAR 750 |
| Food (home cooking) | SAR 420 | SAR 420 | SAR 480 |
| Transport | SAR 120 | SAR 220 | SAR 200 |
| Utilities + mobile | SAR 90 | SAR 110 | SAR 120 |
| Personal / misc | SAR 140 | SAR 160 | SAR 180 |
| Total Monthly Costs | SAR 770 | SAR 1,210 | SAR 1,730 |
Compare these figures against any salary offer using our calculator to see exactly how much you will save.