Calgary vs Jeddah
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~43% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Calgary | Jeddah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,481 | $455 | +$1,026 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,178 | $320 | +$858 |
| Groceries | $353 | $276 | +$77 |
| Restaurant Meal | $19 | $12 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $79 | $29 | +$50 |
| Utilities | $137 | $73 | +$64 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Calgary | Jeddah |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,717/mo | $663/mo |
| Typical | $2,335/mo | $1,013/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,913/mo | $1,316/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Calgary | ≈ in Jeddah | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $849/mo | -$651 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,132/mo | -$868 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,698/mo | -$1,302 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Calgary vs Jeddah for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 43% more affordable than Calgary when combining rent and daily living costs. Calgary's COL+Rent Index of 47.7 vs Jeddah's 27 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Calgary costs $1,481/month versus $455/month in Jeddah — giving Jeddah a $1,026/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,312 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Calgary ($353/mo) vs Jeddah ($276/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $19 vs $12 show Jeddah offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Jeddah offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,013 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.