Jeddah vs Athens
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~30% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Athens
Greece
COL+Rent
38.8
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
57.1
Restaurant
68.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Jeddah | Athens | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $455 | $675 | $220 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $320 | $488 | $168 |
| Groceries | $276 | $353 | $77 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $22 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $29 | $34 | $5 |
| Utilities | $73 | $181 | $108 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Jeddah | Athens |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $663/mo | $1,038/mo |
| Typical | $1,013/mo | $1,573/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,316/mo | $2,075/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Jeddah | ≈ in Athens | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,156/mo | +$656 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,874/mo | +$874 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,311/mo | +$1,311 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Jeddah vs Athens for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 30% more affordable than Athens when combining rent and daily living costs. Jeddah's COL+Rent Index of 27 vs Athens's 38.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Jeddah costs $455/month versus $675/month in Athens — giving Jeddah a $220/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $2,640 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Jeddah ($276/mo) vs Athens ($353/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 vs $22 show Jeddah is the better value for dining out. 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.