Jeddah vs Bergen
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~47% 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
Bergen
Norway
COL+Rent
50.5
Rent Index
23.9
Groceries
78.6
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Jeddah | Bergen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $455 | $1,214 | $759 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $320 | $927 | $607 |
| Groceries | $276 | $483 | $207 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $22 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $29 | $75 | $46 |
| Utilities | $73 | $156 | $83 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Jeddah | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $663/mo | $1,584/mo |
| Typical | $1,013/mo | $2,258/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,316/mo | $2,867/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Jeddah | ≈ in Bergen | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,806/mo | +$1,306 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,741/mo | +$1,741 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,611/mo | +$2,611 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Jeddah vs Bergen for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 47% more affordable than Bergen when combining rent and daily living costs. Jeddah's COL+Rent Index of 27 vs Bergen's 50.5 (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 $1,214/month in Bergen — giving Jeddah a $759/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,108 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Jeddah ($276/mo) vs Bergen ($483/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.