Reykjavik vs. Riyadh: Detailed 2026 Comparison

# Reykjavik vs. Riyadh: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Population, Salaries, and Economy

Climate Index

68.8 / 44.5

Cost of Living Index

100.6 / 48.2

Reykjavik   Riyadh

Reykjavik boasts a significantly smaller population compared to Riyadh, with approximately 139,875 residents versus Riyadh's 7.2 million. This difference reflects the distinct economic structures and scales of Iceland and Saudi Arabia. In terms of average monthly net salary, Reykjavik residents earn considerably more, at $4,435, compared to Riyadh's $2,341. However, Reykjavik's GDP per capita is higher at $67,300, while Riyadh's stands at $55,100. The property market shows stark contrasts, with Reykjavik's average property price being exceptionally high at $7,854 per square foot, dwarfing Riyadh's $2,903 per square foot. Despite the lower salaries, Reykjavik's Property Price to Income Ratio is higher (9.56x) than Riyadh's (5.14x), indicating a more expensive real estate market relative to income levels.

Cost of Living

Health Care Index

69.6 / 66.2

Pollution Index

15.6 / 63.8

Reykjavik   Riyadh

The cost of living in Reykjavik is substantially higher than in Riyadh. Basic groceries for a single person cost around $436.38 per month in Reykjavik, compared to $118.50 in Riyadh. Transportation expenses reflect this disparity, with a monthly public transport pass costing $30.50 in Reykjavik versus $37.30 in Riyadh, but overall fuel costs are significantly lower in Riyadh ($0.61/L vs $3.78/L). Utilities for an 85m² apartment are slightly higher in Reykjavik ($100.98 vs $100.98), but daily expenses like dining out and fast food are considerably more expensive in Reykjavik ($49.46 for two mid-range meals vs $15.98). Even basic necessities like cigarettes are more expensive in Reykjavik ($19.95/20 pack vs $7.33/20 pack).

Real Estate and Infrastructure

Property Price to Income Ratio

8 / 5.1

Purchasing Power Index

118.3 / 129

Reykjavik   Riyadh

Reykjavik's real estate market is characterized by extremely high prices, particularly for city-center properties, with the average price per square foot being $7,854 compared to Riyadh's $2,903. Monthly rental costs for a 1-bedroom apartment in Reykjavik average $3,275, significantly higher than Riyadh's $922. The infrastructure shows differences too, with Reykjavik having much shorter commute times (20.55 minutes) compared to Riyadh's 34.06 minutes. However, Riyadh's infrastructure is generally more developed in terms of scale, accommodating its massive population base.

Quality of Life and Environment

Quality of Life Index

197.1 / 161

Safety Index

75.5 / 75.4

Reykjavik   Riyadh

Reykjavik generally offers a superior quality of life based on the available metrics. It scores significantly higher on most quality-of-life indices, including safety (75.53 vs 75.38), healthcare (69.59 vs 66.16), and climate comfort (68.81 vs 44.45). The city also has

Traffic Commute Time Index

20.6 / 34.1

Reykjavik   Riyadh