Saudi Arabia 2010 estimated population density. Data source: ht…
Locator map for the Umayyad Caliphate at its greatest extent, c…
Arabian mare standing in a show halter pose
Topographic maps of Saudi Arabia. Created with GMT from SRTM da…
Satellite image of Harrat Khaybar volcanic field
Harrat Khaybar…
A herder leading his camel in a calm desert atmosphere in Saudi…

Saudi Arabia

Gulf of Aqaba, Persi…
Climate
SAR
Currency
Safe
Safety
Moderate
Cost of Living
Arabic
Language
Country Information Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a vast and influential country located in the Arabian Peninsula of Western Asia, serving as the birthplace of Islam and home to the religion's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. Geographically, the nation is characterized by expansi...

Cost of Living
vs EU Average7% cheaper
Rent
﷼3,100Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Meal
﷼32.50Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Groceries
﷼7.00Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Transport
﷼4.72One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide

Your Saudi Arabia Roadmap

40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.

  • Custom Tax & Cost Projection
  • District Matching for your Lifestyle
  • Vetted Local Partner Directory

With a safety index of 77/100, Saudi Arabia offers good safety conditions for expats and their families.

Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Saudi Arabia requires most international travelers, including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, to obtain an eVisa prior to arrival for tourism purposes. The tourist eVisa, launched in 2019, allows eligible nationals from over 60 countries to apply online via the official platform (visa.visitsaudi.com), granting a single-entry stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for 440 SAR (approximately US$117), including mandatory health insurance.[1][3][5] Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from...

Visa-free entry: 6 months
Work permits available
Read full guide

Discover Cities in Saudi Arabia

Create your free profile to see personalized match scores.

Location Intelligence for Saudi Arabia
Cost of Living43.7

7% below EU avg

Safety76.8

18% above EU avg

Quality of Life164.1

6% above EU avg

Purchasing Power139.5

99% above EU avg

Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.

Capital

Riyadh

Timezone

UTC+03:00

Area

2,149,690 km²

Population

34,813,867

Saudi Arabia shows a purchasing power index of 140/100, indicating excellent economic conditions for expats.

Economic Overview in Saudi Arabia

GDP

$1.11T

HDI

0.9

Quality of Life

71/100

+28 vs NYC

Purchasing Power

58/100

+16 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Saudi Arabia. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Comparison data legendCompare:
Saudi Arabia
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

High

Affordable costs (CPI: 43.97). Groceries (41.37), restaurants (34.53), and rent (12.89) are low compared to NYC=100 baseline.

Housing Market

Excellent

Very affordable housing (property-to-income ratio: 4.40 years). Low rent index supports accessibility for residents.

Average Income Levels

Excellent

Excellent purchasing power (index: 136.83). High GDP per capita around $35,000 enhances buying power for expats.

Tax System

Excellent

No personal income tax for residents. 15% VAT and low corporate taxes (20%) provide simplicity and low burden.

Business Environment

Excellent

Strong growth with non-oil GDP at 4.6% YoY in 2025. Reforms improve ease of doing business amid Vision 2030 diversification.

Social Security

Good

Free public healthcare for citizens; expats need insurance. GOSI pensions and unemployment benefits mainly cover Saudis.

Work & Business in Saudi Arabia
Business ClimateSee full guide for details
Work PermitsRequirements vary by nationality
Key IndustriesExplore opportunities
Read full guide
Education SystemInternational schools, universities & curricula
Explore Guide
Climate

Saudi Arabia features a predominantly arid desert climate with extreme summer heat exceeding 40°C and cooler winters that can drop below freezing in highlands. Low rainfall characterizes most regions, though the southwestern Asir mountains receive higher monsoon-influenced precipitation.

Climate
Hot desert, Hot semi-arid
Summer
30–45°C
Winter
10–25°C
Sunshine
3500+ hrs/yr

5 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details

Read full guide
Demographics in Saudi Arabia

Life Expectancy

74.6

Population

34,813,867

Religions

Currently under research

Ethnic Composition

Currently under research

What Expats Say About Saudi ArabiaBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Saudi Arabia. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Transportation & Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
Public TransitAvailable in major cities
AirportsInternational connectivity
InfrastructureRoad & rail networks
Read full guide
Social Integration in Saudi Arabia
Expat CommunityActive communities available
Cultural IntegrationTips & resources
Language BarrierSee guide for details
Read full guide
Retirement & Benefits in Saudi Arabia
Retirement VisaCheck eligibility
Healthcare AccessPublic & private options
Pension RecognitionSee guide for details
Read full guide
Political Landscape & Stability

Saudi Arabia remains an absolute monarchy under King Salman, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serving as prime minister and consolidating power. Political parties are banned, and governance centers on Vision 2030 reforms for economic diversification amid limited political participation.

System
Absolute Monarchy
Legal System
Islamic
Read full guide
Environment & Sustainability in Saudi Arabia
Air QualitySee detailed assessment
Green SpacesParks & nature areas
SustainabilityEnvironmental policies
Read full guide
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia at a Glance

Capital

Riyadh

Languages

Arabic

UN Member

Yes

Quick Facts for Saudi Arabia

Population

34,813,867

Currency

SAR

Timezone

UTC+03:00

Calling Code

+966

Week starts on

Sunday

Gini Coefficient

N/A

Traffic side

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.