Rome vs Jeddah
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~44% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Rome | Jeddah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,426 | $455 | +$971 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,000 | $320 | +$680 |
| Groceries | $329 | $276 | +$53 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $12 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $37 | $29 | +$8 |
| Utilities | $211 | $73 | +$138 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Rome | Jeddah |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,550/mo | $663/mo |
| Typical | $2,273/mo | $1,013/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,823/mo | $1,316/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Rome | ≈ in Jeddah | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $833/mo | -$667 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,111/mo | -$889 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,667/mo | -$1,333 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Rome vs Jeddah for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 44% more affordable than Rome when combining rent and daily living costs. Rome's COL+Rent Index of 48.6 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 Rome costs $1,426/month versus $455/month in Jeddah — giving Jeddah a $971/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,652 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Rome ($329/mo) vs Jeddah ($276/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.