Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Riyadh is 37% cheaper than Abu Dhabi based on our cost of living index. Riyadh has a COLI of 42.6, while Abu Dhabi has a COLI of 67.8. 37% cheaper
Overall, Riyadh is approximately 37% cheaper than Abu Dhabi based on our cost of living index. Abu Dhabi has a COLI of 67.8 (ranked #28 of 182 cities), while Riyadh has a COLI of 42.6 (ranked #63).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Abu Dhabi averages $1,500/month compared to $800/month in Riyadh. That makes Riyadh approximately 47% cheaper for rent alone.
Abu Dhabi has lower total deductions (0.0%) compared to Riyadh (9.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Abu Dhabi. UAE is a tax-free jurisdiction, which is a significant financial advantage. Saudi Arabia is a tax-free jurisdiction, which is a significant financial advantage. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn AED 271,706 in Abu Dhabi, you would need approximately SAR 176,715 in Riyadh to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 37% less thanks to lower cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Abu Dhabi (AED) | Riyadh (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | AED 442,119 | SAR 287,550 |
| Software Engineer | AED 208,779 | SAR 135,788 |
| Product Manager | AED 245,622 | SAR 159,750 |
| Lawyer | AED 245,622 | SAR 159,750 |
| Data Scientist | AED 233,341 | SAR 151,762 |
| Marketing Manager | AED 176,848 | SAR 115,020 |
| Teacher | AED 117,898 | SAR 76,680 |
| Nurse | AED 142,461 | SAR 92,655 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Saadiyat Island | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Corniche | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Al Reem Island | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Al Maryah Island | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Al Raha Beach | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| King Abdullah Financial District | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Al Olaya | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Diplomatic Quarter | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Al Nakheel | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Hittin | 1.15x (+15%) |
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Open Salary ConverterAbu Dhabi is more expensive overall. Abu Dhabi has a COLI of 67.8 while Riyadh has a COLI of 42.6, making Riyadh approximately 37% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as AED 271,706 in Abu Dhabi, you would need approximately SAR 176,715 in Riyadh.
Average one-bedroom rent in Abu Dhabi is $1,500/month compared to $800/month in Riyadh. Riyadh has lower rent by approximately 47%.
Abu Dhabi has lower total deductions (0.0%) compared to Riyadh (9.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Abu Dhabi. UAE is a tax-free jurisdiction, which is a significant financial advantage. Saudi Arabia is a tax-free jurisdiction, which is a significant financial advantage.
Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.
Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.
Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.