Skyline of Medina
Cost of Living: 100 1,488,000

Medina, Saudi Arabia

The second holiest city in Islam, home to the Prophet's Mosque and a major destination for religious tourism.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Saudi Arabia Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income SAR 90,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.5%

Job market health

Medina vs Saudi Arabia Average

Cost of Living
Medina: 100
Saudi Arabia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Medina: 110
Saudi Arabia Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 15.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: SAR 90,000
  • Unemployment: 6.5%
  • Population: 1,488,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 315/year
  • Summer High: 107°F
  • Winter Low: 55°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: ﷼800,000
  • 1BR Rent: ﷼1800/mo

Cost of Living

Medina's cost of living index is 100 (Saudi Arabia average = 100).

CategoryMedinaNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing110100+10.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price﷼800,000
Median Rent (1BR)﷼1800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)﷼2,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft﷼533

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Medina:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity﷼200
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)﷼36Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water﷼100Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)﷼250Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities﷼586Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Medina scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
﷼1800
Sunny Days
315
Tax
None
Unemployment
6.5%
Climate
107°F / 55°F
Safety
1.3 homicides/100k
Population
1,488,000
Internet Speed
120 Mbps

Climate

Medina has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January75°F55°F2.5"
April92°F70°F2.8"
July107°F82°F1.5"
October87°F73°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Medina faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid country with extreme drought conditions.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat with temperatures frequently exceeding 50°C.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms in the Arabian Desert.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 15%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year August to June
Term System Trimester — 1st (Aug-Nov), 2nd (Nov-Feb), 3rd (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (3 weeks)

Sunday to Thursday school week. Friday and Saturday are the weekend.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Medina, Saudi Arabia?

The cost of living index in Medina is 100, which is Lower the Saudi Arabia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Medina?

The median home price in Medina is ﷼800,000. The housing index is 110.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Medina is approximately ﷼1800/mo.

Does Medina, Medina have income tax?

Medina is in Medina, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Medina?

Medina enjoys approximately 315 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 107°F, while winter lows can drop to around 55°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.