Khamis Mushayt vs Medina: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Khamis Mushayt costs roughly 4% less than Medina. Medina has significantly faster average internet speeds (60 Mbps vs 15 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Khamis Mushayt is approximately 24% less expensive than Medina based on cost of living including rent. This makes Khamis Mushayt a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Khamis Mushayt has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 78, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Khamis Mushayt is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Khamis Mushayt
Khamis Mushayt is a cheap, high-altitude Saudi city that rewards budget-minded expats willing to trade big-city polish for real savings. A 1-bedroom outside the center runs $320/mo, utilities average just $34/mo, and the overall cost of living index sits at 43/100, which helps explain the strong FIRE score of 81/100. The catch is the local average net salary of $1,599/mo and limited English proficiency, so a small expat community in Al Khalidiyah and As-Suqoor suits those with a remote income or a local contract. Air quality at 72 and internet at 15 Mbps are the honest drawbacks, but a safety index of 78/100 makes daily life here easy to like.
About Saudi Arabia
Best for FIRE & GeoArbitrage seekers who want zero income tax and low costs — $780/mo excluding rent is 58% cheaper than NYC. Safety is strong with a 76.1 index and crime at 23.9, well below US averages. The dealbreaker: no retirement or digital nomad visa, a difficult path to PR, and a Travel Advisory Level of 3 from the US signals political risk.
$2,332/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Medina
Medina is a quietly affordable place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $560/mo and a single adult's budget tier landing at $761/mo, though the $1,233/mo average net salary keeps the math tight for anyone earning locally. The city scores well on safety at 85/100 and crime at 12/100, and the FIRE score of 81/100 makes it a serious contender for savers, but the air quality index of 110 and a small expat community centered on Aziziya mean you should visit before committing. Expats who want a low-cost, low-drama base with good healthcare will find plenty to like; those chasing a big international social scene will not.
About Saudi Arabia
Best for FIRE & GeoArbitrage seekers who want zero income tax and low costs — $780/mo excluding rent is 58% cheaper than NYC. Safety is strong with a 76.1 index and crime at 23.9, well below US averages. The dealbreaker: no retirement or digital nomad visa, a difficult path to PR, and a Travel Advisory Level of 3 from the US signals political risk.
$1,891/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Khamis Mushayt | Medina |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $450 | $559.6 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $320 | $523.63 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $850 | $764.79 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $600 | $572.26 |
| Safety Index | 78 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 15Mbps | 60Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Khamis Mushayt | Medina |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $719/mo | $1,165/mo |
| Excluding rent | $399/mo | $641/mo |
| Rent | $320/mo | $524/mo |
| Groceries | $124/mo | $146/mo |
| Dining out | $47.00/mo | $55.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $142/mo | $137/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $86.00/mo | $266/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $37.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Khamis Mushayt vs Medina -- Frequently Asked Questions
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