Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Riyadh is 42% cheaper than Chicago based on our cost of living index. Riyadh has a COLI of 42.6, while Chicago has a COLI of 73.2. 42% cheaper
Overall, Riyadh is approximately 42% cheaper than Chicago based on our cost of living index. Chicago has a COLI of 73.2 (ranked #20 of 182 cities), while Riyadh has a COLI of 42.6 (ranked #63).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Chicago averages $2,000/month compared to $800/month in Riyadh. That makes Riyadh approximately 60% cheaper for rent alone.
Riyadh has lower total deductions (9.8%) compared to Chicago (25.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Riyadh. 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 $75,000 in Chicago, you would need approximately SAR 163,678 in Riyadh to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 42% 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 | Chicago (USD) | Riyadh (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | $131,760 | SAR 287,550 |
| Software Engineer | $62,220 | SAR 135,788 |
| Product Manager | $73,200 | SAR 159,750 |
| Lawyer | $73,200 | SAR 159,750 |
| Data Scientist | $69,540 | SAR 151,762 |
| Marketing Manager | $52,704 | SAR 115,020 |
| Teacher | $35,136 | SAR 76,680 |
| Nurse | $42,456 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | 1.25x (+25%) |
| River North | 1.22x (+22%) |
| The Loop | 1.20x (+20%) |
| West Loop | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Lincoln Park | 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 ConverterChicago is more expensive overall. Chicago has a COLI of 73.2 while Riyadh has a COLI of 42.6, making Riyadh approximately 42% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Chicago, you would need approximately SAR 163,678 in Riyadh.
Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago is $2,000/month compared to $800/month in Riyadh. Riyadh has lower rent by approximately 60%.
Riyadh has lower total deductions (9.8%) compared to Chicago (25.6%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Riyadh. 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.