Cost of living: Dammam and Al Khobar vs Mumbai
A family of four living comfortably in Mumbai spends about ₹2.63 L a month, about 28% less than the ₹3.64 L (SAR 14,390) the same lifestyle costs in Dammam and Al Khobar. The biggest savings are in groceries, school fees and help at home. Some costs are higher: rent and petrol.
Dammam and Al Khobar, a month₹3.64 LSAR 14,390
Mumbai, a month₹2.63 L
Difference28% lessin Mumbai
Item by item
| Cost | Dammam and Al Khobar | Mumbai | In Mumbai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Rent, 2-bedroom apartmenta month | SAR 3,500 ≈ ₹88,611SAR 2,600–SAR 5,000Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026) | ₹90,000₹65,000–₹1,50,000Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026) | about the same |
| Rent, 3-bedroom apartmenta month | SAR 4,800 ≈ ₹1.22 LSAR 3,500–SAR 7,000Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026) | ₹1,60,000₹1,10,000–₹3,00,000Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026) | 32% more |
| Buying an apartment, price per sq ftper sq ft | SAR 400 ≈ ₹10,127SAR 300–SAR 550Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹30,000₹22,000–₹55,000Source: Square Yards, NoBroker, Homebazaar and Knight Frank reports (2025–26) | 196% more |
| Everyday costs | |||
| Groceries, family of foura month | SAR 2,600 ≈ ₹65,825SAR 1,950–SAR 3,400Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹18,000₹12,000–₹26,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 73% less |
| Utilities: electricity, water, cooking gas, interneta month | SAR 650 ≈ ₹16,456SAR 450–SAR 1,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹5,000₹3,500–₹8,000Source: NRI Landing estimate from state tariffs | 70% less |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantper meal | SAR 170 ≈ ₹4,304SAR 120–SAR 260Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹2,500₹1,500–₹4,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 42% less |
| Getting around | |||
| Public transport, one commutera month | SAR 150 ≈ ₹3,798SAR 100–SAR 250Source: Transport authorities' fares (RTA Nol, Riyadh Metro) and NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,500₹700–₹3,000Source: NRI Landing estimate from metro and bus fares | 61% less |
| Petrolper litre | SAR 2.33 ≈ ₹59SAR 2.18–SAR 2.33Source: Official UAE monthly fuel prices; Saudi Aramco | ₹104₹103–₹105Source: Retail prices of the oil marketing companies | 76% more |
| Children | |||
| Private school fees, one childa year | SAR 18,000 ≈ ₹4.56 LSAR 9,000–SAR 45,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹2,50,000₹1,40,000–₹4,00,000Source: Careers360 school listings and NRI Landing estimate | 45% less |
| Health | |||
| Doctor's visit (general physician, no insurance)per visit | SAR 220 ≈ ₹5,570SAR 160–SAR 340Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,000₹600–₹1,500Source: NRI Landing estimate | 82% less |
| Help at home | |||
| Help at homea month | SAR 2,000 ≈ ₹50,635SAR 1,700–SAR 2,600Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹18,000₹13,000–₹25,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 64% less |
Typical cost, with the usual range and the source below it. NRI Landing estimate: our own figure from typical published prices, not yet checked against a single published source. Rupee amounts at ₹95 per US dollar (2026-10-23); the dirham and the riyal are pegged to the dollar.
What the monthly total includes
| For a family of four | Dammam and Al Khobar | Mumbai |
|---|---|---|
| Renta 3-bedroom apartment | ₹1.22 L | ₹1.60 L |
| Groceries | ₹65,825 | ₹18,000 |
| Utilities | ₹16,456 | ₹5,000 |
| Public transporttwo commuters | ₹7,595 | ₹3,000 |
| Petrol60 litres | ₹3,539 | ₹6,240 |
| Eating outfour dinners out | ₹17,216 | ₹10,000 |
| School feestwo children, yearly fees spread over 12 months | ₹75,952 | ₹41,667 |
| Doctor's visitsone visit | ₹5,570 | ₹1,000 |
| Help at home | ₹50,635 | ₹18,000 |
| Total a month | ₹3.64 L | ₹2.63 L |
Compare other cities
Dammam and Al Khobar vs other Indian cities
Will your savings last after the move?
The free retirement planner works it out year by year, with Indian inflation, your children's costs and a stress test.
Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Mumbai than in Dammam and Al Khobar?
A family of four living comfortably in Mumbai spends about ₹2.63 L a month, about 28% less than the ₹3.64 L (SAR 14,390) the same lifestyle costs in Dammam and Al Khobar. The biggest savings are in groceries, school fees and help at home. Some costs are higher: rent and petrol.
How much is the rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Mumbai?
Typically about ₹1,60,000 a month in a premium gated community in popular family areas (Powai, Andheri, Goregaon, Chembur), usually between ₹1,10,000 and ₹3,00,000.
Where the numbers come from
Typical costs for a comfortable family in popular areas: Al Khobar, Dhahran, Dammam Al Faisaliyah, Al Shatea in Dammam and Al Khobar; Powai, Andheri, Goregaon, Chembur in Mumbai. Homes in India are premium gated communities by reputed builders, the kind most returning NRIs choose. Updated October 2026. Estimates for planning, compiled from published reports, listing sites and official fares and tariffs. Check current listings before deciding.
- Rent, 2-bedroom apartment
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Asking rents in popular family communities, converted from yearly rents (2025–26). Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026).
Mumbai: Asking rents in premium gated communities by reputed builders (clubhouse, pool, security), the kind most returning NRIs choose, in popular areas near job hubs (2025–26). Society maintenance is often extra. Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026). - Rent, 3-bedroom apartment
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Asking rents in popular family communities, converted from yearly rents (2025–26). Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026).
Mumbai: Asking rents in premium gated communities by reputed builders (clubhouse, pool, security), the kind most returning NRIs choose, in popular areas near job hubs (2025–26). Society maintenance is often extra. Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026). - Buying an apartment, price per sq ft
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Asking prices for apartments in those communities (2025–26). Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: Asking prices for apartments in premium gated projects by reputed builders (per sq ft of super built-up area), from listing sites and property reports (2025–26). Source: Square Yards, NoBroker, Homebazaar and Knight Frank reports (2025–26). - Groceries, family of four
- Dammam and Al Khobar: A family of four's monthly groceries. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: A family of four's monthly groceries, cooking at home. Source: NRI Landing estimate. - Utilities: electricity, water, cooking gas, internet
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Electricity, water and cooling, cooking gas and home internet. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: Electricity (with summer air conditioning), water, cooking gas and home broadband, at state tariffs. Source: NRI Landing estimate from state tariffs. - Public transport, one commuter
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Monthly public transport for one commuter, where a usable network exists. Source: Transport authorities' fares (RTA Nol, Riyadh Metro) and NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: Typical monthly spend on metro and bus for one commuter. Source: NRI Landing estimate from metro and bus fares. - Petrol
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Retail petrol price (set monthly in the UAE; fixed in Saudi Arabia). Source: Official UAE monthly fuel prices; Saudi Aramco.
Mumbai: Retail petrol price in the city (2025–26). Source: Retail prices of the oil marketing companies. - Dinner for two, mid-range restaurant
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Dinner for two with three courses at a mid-range restaurant. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
- Private school fees, one child
- Dammam and Al Khobar: Annual fees at a well-regarded private school; Indian-curriculum schools sit at the lower end, British and IB schools at the top. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: Annual fees at a well-regarded CBSE or ICSE day school; international (IB) schools cost about twice as much or more. Source: Careers360 school listings and NRI Landing estimate. - Doctor's visit (general physician, no insurance)
- Dammam and Al Khobar: A general practitioner's consultation without insurance. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: Consultation with a general physician at a private clinic or hospital. Source: NRI Landing estimate. - Help at home
- Dammam and Al Khobar: A full-time live-in housemaid: salary plus a share of visa and other yearly costs. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Mumbai: A full-time helper for cleaning and cooking (part-time help costs much less). Source: NRI Landing estimate.