Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is no longer the destination it was ten years ago. The country has undergone a transformation so dramatic that even long-term residents occasionally need a moment to recognize the place they moved to. Cinemas opened in 2018 after a 35-year ban. Women now drive, own businesses, and travel independently. The entertainment economy generated over $131.9 billion in 2024. And Vision 2030 is not a slogan it is a structural overhaul that is actively reshaping how people live, work, and settle here.

Whether you are considering a move, already on the ground, or somewhere in between, understanding how the Kingdom actually functions in 2025 and beyond will save you time, money, and unnecessary frustration.

The Economy and Why Professionals Keep Coming

Saudi Arabia has one of the strongest economies in the Middle East, with foreigners making up more than 40% of the population. The draw is straightforward: Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax on salaries for most expats, which can significantly increase take-home pay.

Typical expat salaries range widely, from around 8,000 SAR per month for entry-level roles to over 50,000 SAR per month for senior executives and specialists in high-demand fields. Senior engineers, medical consultants, and finance directors commonly earn between 25,000 and 60,000 SAR monthly. When you layer in employer benefits housing allowances, annual flights, medical coverage  the financial case becomes even stronger.

Financial discipline remains essential. Many studies recommend allocating about 20 to 25% of income to savings, and the Saudi environment is very conducive to this, with moderate inflation forecast at around 1.7% for 2025 and modest food price increases of 1 to 2% per year.

Residency, Visas, and the New Legal Framework

The old sponsorship system that made job mobility nearly impossible is gone. In 2021, the Ministry of Human Resources launched the Labor Reform Initiative and introduced the Qiwa platform, which is now the backbone of expat employment. Expats can change jobs at the end of their contract without employer consent, and exit and re-entry visas can be initiated digitally via the Absher app.

As of early 2026, the three most popular visa types for expats are the employer-sponsored work visa leading to an Iqama residency permit, the Premium Residency visa  sometimes called the Saudi Green Card  and the tourist eVisa for short visits.

The Premium Residency program is particularly significant. Premium Residency holders can own property, sponsor their own family, open businesses, work for any employer, and enter or exit without visa restrictions. For those planning a long-term stay rather than a short contract, this pathway has genuinely changed the calculation.

Cost of Living: A Realistic Breakdown

The honest answer is that costs depend enormously on where you live and how you live. The average household expenditure in 2024 was estimated at around $1,109 (approximately 4,159 SAR) per month, excluding housing. But that national figure is misleading for expats whose costs look very different.

Most single expats can live comfortably with a monthly salary of SAR 10,000 to 15,000. For families, a monthly income of SAR 20,000 to 25,000 is often sufficient, depending on school fees and housing choices.

Housing is the heaviest line item. A one-bedroom apartment in central Riyadh typically sells for between 1.2 and 1.5 million riyals, and since September 2025, Riyadh has implemented a rent freeze for ongoing contracts, valid for five years, preventing landlords from increasing rent for existing tenants before 2030.

Within the region, Riyadh is generally cheaper than Dubai or Doha. Inside the country, Jeddah is about a quarter cheaper than Riyadh, and Al Khobar around 12% cheaper, differences that come mainly from rent.

For transport, Riyadh launched its metro at the end of 2024, with tickets around 4 to 6 SAR per trip, and ride-hailing services like Careem, Uber, and Bolt are omnipresent, with short trips typically costing 12 to 30 SAR. Petrol remains remarkably cheap; the average price of a liter of 95-octane gasoline is about $0.55, roughly half the global average.

Housing Options: Compounds vs. City Apartments

Choosing where to live is one of the earliest and most consequential decisions for anyone relocating here. Most people weighing a Saudi life guide alongside practical considerations land on one of two paths: compound living or standalone city accommodation.

Expats can choose between city apartments and gated residential compounds. Compounds offer Western-style housing with greater personal freedom, and facilities like pools, gyms, and schools are usually included. Housing costs range from SAR 2,000 to SAR 15,000 per month, and many employers offer free accommodation or a housing allowance.

Compound living, a popular choice among Western expats, provides a more familiar environment with amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and social clubs. These gated communities often offer a more relaxed atmosphere where expats can socialise and dress more casually than in public spaces.

For those on shorter-term contracts, renting remains the most practical option, with the rental market in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam offering a range from modern apartments to spacious villas.

Healthcare and Education

As of early 2026, hospitals in Saudi Arabia's major cities meet or exceed Western European and North American standards, with many facilities holding international accreditations and employing doctors trained abroad. Expats most commonly recommend King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh and International Medical Center in Jeddah.

For families, schooling is a top priority. International schools are the leading choice for expat families, offering British, American, IB, and Indian curricula with English as the primary language. Places can be expensive, so early registration is essential. Most international school fees range between SAR 30,000 and SAR 80,000 annually depending on curriculum and city a cost that many employers partially or fully cover.

Cultural Life, Entertainment, and Social Scene

This is where the change is most visible. Riyadh Season, the annual event that turns the capital into a hub of concerts, art shows, and food festivals, and Winter at Tantora in the historic city of AlUla, which combines music, art, and astronomy against ancient landscapes, have become major cultural anchors for residents.

AlUla's Winter at Tantora pulls around 2 million visitors yearly, and Riyadh Season has hosted concerts and Formula 1 events drawing tens of millions of attendees.

Outdoor adventures include dune bashing in the desert, diving in the Red Sea, and hiking in the Asir Mountains. Golf courses like the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club offer top-notch facilities, and gyms are becoming increasingly popular across all major cities.

Socially, the scene has genuinely opened up. Alcohol remains prohibited, but expats socialize through cafés, events, and family activities, and many expat couples now share housing comfortably following recent reforms on accommodation rules.

Key Cities: Where to Base Yourself

Jeddah, located on the Red Sea, is often considered Saudi Arabia's most relaxed city, known for an informal atmosphere and great diversity of nationalities. Riyadh, the capital with approximately 6.7 million inhabitants, is the political and economic heart, concentrating corporate headquarters, major Vision 2030 projects, and an exploding cultural scene. The Dammam–Al Khobar–Dhahran area in the East is the historical stronghold of the oil industry, with many foreign engineers and executives.

Each city has a different personality. Riyadh offers career opportunities and scale. Jeddah offers a coastal lifestyle and more relaxed social norms. The Eastern Province suits those tied to energy-sector work and its established expat infrastructure.

Practical Tips Before You Arrive

A few things save significant headaches once you land:

• Register on Absher immediately handles nearly every government transaction digitally.

• Open a bank account with Al Rajhi, SNB, or Riyad Bank early; most salary transfers require a local account.

• Get your driving license transferred or applying for fresh  public transport is improving, but a car still defines your freedom outside city centers.

• Confirm visa type and work or residency permits before arranging travel, keep digital and physical copies of all important documents, and learn local laws and cultural norms before arrival.

• Download Careem and Jahez on day one  for rides and food delivery respectively, both are indispensable.

The Bigger Picture

Saudi Arabia in 2025 is a country mid-stride. Vision 2030 has not only transformed the skyline; it has reshaped labor systems, residency pathways, entertainment options, and social norms in ways few would have predicted five years ago. For professionals willing to adapt and engage, it offers a combination of financial upside and genuine experience that few postings can match. The country is not without its constraints, but the gap between its reputation and its reality has never been narrower  and for those who arrive prepared, the gap closes fast.