The cost of living in Medina in 2025-2026
Detailed budget: housing, groceries, internet, transport, health and education for a family in Medina.
The cost of living in Medina in 2025-2026
Detailed monthly budget for an expat family in Medina: housing, groceries, transport, health, education, leisure. Updated 2026 figures, concrete examples and tips for optimization.
1. General Overview
Medina offers an overall low cost of living 15 to 25 % lower comparable to Riyadh and Jeddah, while maintaining a good level of services. The city is less expensive for housing and groceries, but slightly more limited in terms of high-end leisure activities and international schools.
Three elements define your budget in Medina:
- The neighborhood (Proximity to the Haram = more expensive)
- The size of the accommodation (apartment vs villa)
- Schooling (public/private Arabic vs international)
THE 0 % income tax remains a major advantage for expatriates, partially offsetting the VAT at 15 %.
2. Housing
Rents are usually paid in 1 or 2 annual payments, This necessitates planning for significant cash flow upon arrival. Since 2023, the platform Ejar centralizes rental contracts, providing a stable legal framework.
| Property type | Standard Quarter | Near Haram |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished studio | 1,500 – 2,500 SAR/month | 2,500 – 4,000 SAR/month |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2,000 – 3,500 SAR/month | 3,500 – 6,000 SAR/month |
| 3-bedroom apartment | 3,000 – 5,000 SAR/month | 5,000 – 9,000 SAR/month |
| 4-bedroom villa | 5,500 – 9,000 SAR/month | 9,000 – 15,000 SAR/month |
| Secure compound | 7,000 – 12,000 SAR/month | — |
3. Charges and internet
| Job | Monthly cost | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity (SEC) | 200 – 700 SAR | Air conditioning = main expense (May-September) |
| Water (NWC) | 50-150 SAR | Tanker delivery available at an additional cost. |
| Gas (cylinders) | 40-80 SAR | Not all town gas is available. |
| Fiber Internet (STC/Mobily/Salam) | 200-400 SAR | 100-500 Mbps depending on the offer |
| Mobile (30GB data plan) | 90-150 SAR | STC, Mobily, Zain, Virgin |
| TV license fee / streaming | 40-90 SAR | Shahid, Netflix, OSN |
4. Grocery shopping
Medina has a dense network of hypermarkets (Panda, Lulu, Danube, Othaim, Carrefour) and traditional markets (Souk Al-Manakha, Souk Quba). Local and Asian products are affordable; imported products (cheeses, European halal deli meats, French specialties) remain expensive.
| Product | Indicative price for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Pita bread (bag) | 2-4 SAR |
| Fresh milk 1 L | 5-7 SAR |
| Eggs (30) | 18-25 SAR |
| Basmati rice 5 kg | 55 – 90 SAR |
| Whole Chicken | 22-32 SAR |
| Lamb meat / kg | 55 – 85 SAR |
| Fresh fish / kg | 35 – 90 SAR |
| Imported cheese (200 g) | 18 – 45 SAR |
| Fruits and vegetables (weekly basket) | 80-200 SAR |
| Ajwa Dates / kg | 40-120 SAR |
Average monthly grocery budget:
- Single person: 600 – 1,200 SAR
- Pair: 1,200 – 2,500 SAR
- Family of 4: 2,500 – 4,500 SAR
5. Transportation
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| 91 octane gasoline (per liter) | ≈ 2 SAR (Aramco regulated price, which varies monthly) |
| 95 octane gasoline (per liter) | ≈ 2.30 SAR (Aramco regulated price, varies monthly) |
| Taxi Careem/Uber average fare | 12-25 SAR |
| City bus Medina | 3-5 SAR |
| Haramain High-Speed Rail (Medina → Jeddah) | 75 – 220 SAR depending on class |
| Budget car rental / month | 1,500 – 2,500 SAR |
| Buying a decent used car | 20,000 – 50,000 SAR |
| Car insurance (mandatory) | 800 – 2,500 SAR / year |
6. Health
L'’Health insurance is mandatory for all residents. It is normally covered by the employer for the employee and their direct dependents (spouse + children). The regulator is the CCHI (Council of Cooperative Health Insurance).
- Individual insurance (excluding employer-sponsored insurance) 2,500 – 9,000 SAR/year depending on age and coverage
- Private general practitioner consultation : 150 – 400 SAR (often covered at 80-100 %)
- Specialist consultation 300 – 800 SAR
- Dentist (scaling) 250 – 500 SAR
- Private childbirth 15,000 – 40,000 SAR (covered by most policies)
7. Education
| Kind | Annual cost per child |
|---|---|
| Saudi public school | Free (if admitted) |
| Private Arab School | 8,000 – 25,000 SAR |
| International School | 30,000 – 80,000 SAR |
| CNED regulated (France) | ≈ 2,500 – 4,500 SAR |
| Private nursery/daycare | 1,200 – 2,500 SAR/month |
8. Leisure and dining
| Activity | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Fast food meal (menu) | 25-45 SAR |
| Mid-range restaurant (2 people) | 120 – 280 SAR |
| Coffee lounge (cappuccino) | 15-28 SAR |
| Cinema (adult ticket) | 50-75 SAR |
| Gym membership / month | 200 – 450 SAR |
| Amusement park (entrance) | 80-200 SAR |
| Weekend excursion Medina → Jeddah round-trip train | 150 – 440 SAR |
9. Sample monthly budgets
👤 Single — budget mode
≈ 4,500 – 6,500 SAR/month (shared accommodation, Careem transport, simple shopping, few outings)
💑 Childless couple — standard comfort
≈ 8,500 – 13,000 SAR/month (decent 2-bedroom apartment, a car, employer health insurance, regular outings)
👨👩👧👦 Family with 2 children — Arabic private school
≈ 14,000 – 22,000 SAR/month (3-bedroom apartment/villa, 2 vehicles, private Arabic school, family leisure activities)
🏡 Family with 2 children — international school
≈ 22,000 – 38,000 SAR/month (villa or compound, 2 vehicles, British/IB school, domestic staff, travel)
10. Tips for optimizing your budget
- Negotiate the annual rent
A cash payment or 2 installments often gets you a 5-10% discount on the posted rent. - Use loyalty programs
Panda Rewards, Lulu Happiness, Danube Club offer up to 5 % cashback on shopping. - Take out employer-compatible family health insurance
Avoid double coverage; negotiate family extension in your contract. - Use Careem Plus / Uber Pass
Monthly subscriptions that reduce 15-30% of the transport budget. - Planning your transfers
Keep an eye on the SAR/EUR exchange rate: a well-placed transfer can save several hundred euros. - Exploiting Haram Proximity
Many activities (prayer, lectures, Quran learning) are free and extremely enriching.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
What salary do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medina?
Have prices increased significantly in 2025-2026?
Is it possible to live without a car in Medina?
What is the installation cost upon arrival?
Is the salary tax-exempt?
Are there any forms of assistance available for expatriates?
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📄 Update : April 2026 · The information in this guide is for guidance purposes only. Saudi procedures, prices, and regulations are subject to change. Always verify up-to-date information with official sources. (Absher, Jawazat, SAMA, MoE, CCHI, MOFA) before any action.