Perth vs Riyadh
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Riyadh is ~44% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
31.3
Rent Index
15.1
Groceries
44.5
Restaurant
37.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Perth | Riyadh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,758 | $566 | +$1,192 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,311 | $398 | +$913 |
| Groceries | $412 | $313 | +$99 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $14 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $97 | $33 | +$64 |
| Utilities | $146 | $83 | +$63 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Perth | Riyadh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,930/mo | $789/mo |
| Typical | $2,743/mo | $1,205/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,419/mo | $1,563/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Perth | ≈ in Riyadh | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $843/mo | -$657 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,124/mo | -$876 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,686/mo | -$1,314 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Perth vs Riyadh for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Riyadh is approximately 44% more affordable than Perth when combining rent and daily living costs. Perth's COL+Rent Index of 55.7 vs Riyadh's 31.3 (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 Perth costs $1,758/month versus $566/month in Riyadh — giving Riyadh a $1,192/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,304 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Perth ($412/mo) vs Riyadh ($313/mo) reflect Riyadh's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $14 show Riyadh 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, Riyadh offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,205 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.