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Analytics
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#147
,
Nomad Score:
61%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
71%
Weight: 150
Moderately affordable compared to major global cities; daily expenses are reasonable but imported goods can be pricier.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate; furnished apartments are available but can be costly in prime areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer affordable groceries; dining out ranges from budget to mid-range prices.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but taxis and ride-hailing services are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
52%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are growing but still limited; costs vary with fewer budget-friendly venues.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
67%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available with mid-range pricing; some premium facilities exist but are expensive.
💱 Currency Stability
90%
Weight: 30
Saudi Riyal is pegged to the US dollar, providing strong currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Good broadband and 5G coverage in urban areas; speeds are reliable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Limited but growing number of coworking spaces, mostly concentrated in business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
68%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, though not all are optimized for long work sessions.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
50%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; work-friendly environments are emerging.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination for digital nomads yet; community is small and niche.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
88%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain with good coverage and affordable plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Work culture is improving with more flexible options, but traditional hours still dominate.
🌳 Environmental Quality
55%
Weight: 15
Urban areas face pollution challenges; air quality can be affected by dust and industrial activity.
🧼 Cleanliness
74%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean due to strict municipal regulations.
🗨️ Language Barrier
41%
Weight: 30
Arabic is dominant; English is widely used in business but less so in daily life, posing some challenges.
💨 Air Quality
47%
Weight: 15
Air quality fluctuates with dust storms and industrial emissions; not ideal for sensitive individuals.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
60%
Weight: 25
Safe environment with good schools but limited entertainment options for children.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
73%
Weight: 20
Modern healthcare facilities with good standards, especially in private hospitals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
65%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare can be expensive; public healthcare is subsidized but less accessible to foreigners.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Overall healthcare system is reliable with access to specialists and emergency care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
86%
Weight: 80
Hot desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters; mostly sunny and dry.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
92%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
43%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces and parks within the city; mostly urban and desert environment.
❄️ Air Conditioning
95%
Weight: 15
Widespread and reliable air conditioning in homes, offices, and public spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; climate is consistently hot and dry with little change throughout the year.
🔊 Noise Pollution
65%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter residential areas but some urban noise in commercial zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with traditional Saudi customs; increasing openness to international influences.
🌃 Nightlife
37%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is limited due to cultural norms and regulations; recent reforms have introduced more entertainment options.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
60%
Weight: 15
Desert landscapes and nearby beaches offer outdoor activities; limited green natural parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Arabic language courses are available but not widespread; English is commonly used in business.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
70%
Weight: 10
Growing tourism sector with cultural tours, desert safaris, and historical sites.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls and cinemas provide indoor entertainment; limited variety compared to global cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options including traditional Saudi cuisine and international restaurants.
🧠 Yoga Studios
39%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available; wellness culture is still developing.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
62%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available but not as widespread as in Western cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy and organic food options in supermarkets and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
UTC+3 time zone is convenient for communication with Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
51%
Weight: 25
Business networking is possible but limited for foreigners; expat communities are small.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is limited; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Freelancing is not yet mainstream; legal and cultural frameworks are still evolving.
🏢 Coworking Quality
53%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack the variety and amenities found in more established hubs.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
56%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem supported by government initiatives but still in early stages.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Digital payment options are growing, with widespread use of mobile wallets and cards.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
42%
Weight: 15
Regulatory environment is cautious; crypto adoption is limited but interest is growing.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
King Fahd International Airport offers good regional and some international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
39%
Weight: 20
Public transport infrastructure is limited; no metro system and few bus routes.
🚶 Walkability
45%
Weight: 20
City layout favors car travel; pedestrian infrastructure is improving but still limited.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
83%
Weight: 15
Popular and affordable ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are widely used.
🚲 Cycling
27%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal; hot climate and urban design discourage biking.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
68%
Weight: 15
Good road network and domestic flights connect to major cities; train services are limited.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
21%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
87%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage across the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPNs work but some restrictions and occasional slowdowns due to government regulations.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
91%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in malls and some public areas but not widespread or very fast.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
64%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are easier to obtain now; work visas require sponsorship and are more complex.
📊 Tax Friendliness
89%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax, making it attractive for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
23%
Weight: 15
Strict regulations limit freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
80%
Weight: 20
Stable government with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
47%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; requires residency and documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Improving processes but still bureaucratic and time-consuming for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of June 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
36%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
28%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups targeting digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
39%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for digital nomads; limited forums or social groups.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
87%
Weight: 100
Generally very safe with low crime rates, especially for foreigners.
♀️ Female Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Cultural restrictions and gender norms limit freedom and comfort for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
55%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; expat communities coexist but some social barriers remain.