Jeddah vs Basel
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~69% 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
Basel
Switzerland
COL+Rent
85.9
Rent Index
55.6
Groceries
125.6
Restaurant
123.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Jeddah | Basel | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $455 | $2,462 | $2,007 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $320 | $1,955 | $1,635 |
| Groceries | $276 | $714 | $438 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $35 | $23 |
| Transit Pass | $29 | $90 | $61 |
| Utilities | $73 | $228 | $155 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Jeddah | Basel |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $663/mo | $2,913/mo |
| Typical | $1,013/mo | $4,019/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,316/mo | $5,056/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Jeddah | ≈ in Basel | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $4,772/mo | +$3,272 |
| $2,000/mo | $6,363/mo | +$4,363 |
| $3,000/mo | $9,544/mo | +$6,544 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Jeddah vs Basel for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 69% more affordable than Basel when combining rent and daily living costs. Jeddah's COL+Rent Index of 27 vs Basel's 85.9 (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 Jeddah costs $455/month versus $2,462/month in Basel — giving Jeddah a $2,007/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $24,084 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Jeddah ($276/mo) vs Basel ($714/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 vs $35 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.