Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#147
26.303999, 50.196023
Nomad Score:
58%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
65%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other Gulf cities, but higher than many Southeast Asian destinations.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable, but can vary significantly based on location and amenities.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Local food is affordable, but imported goods can be pricey. Street food options are good.
🚌 Transportation Cost
70%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited, but taxis and ride-sharing services are reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
55%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but can be expensive, especially in upscale venues.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
60%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with a variety of options available.
💱 Currency Stability
85%
Weight: 30
The Saudi Riyal is stable, pegged to the US dollar, providing good currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Generally good internet speeds, with many areas offering high-speed connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
50%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces compared to larger cities, but some options are emerging.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
65%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, but the environment may not always be conducive to work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
52%
Weight: 30
A few cafes cater to digital nomads, but options are limited compared to more established hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
35%
Weight: 100
Al Khobar is not a popular destination for digital nomads, with few community events.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Work-life balance can vary, but many locals enjoy a relaxed lifestyle.
🌳 Environmental Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Generally good environmental quality, though urban areas can be congested.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
The city is relatively clean, with ongoing efforts to maintain public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
40%
Weight: 30
Arabic is the primary language, and English is not widely spoken outside of tourist areas.
💨 Air Quality
60%
Weight: 15
Air quality is acceptable, but can be affected by dust storms and industrial activity.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
80%
Weight: 20
Healthcare services are of high quality, with many private hospitals available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
65%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs can be high for expatriates, but local citizens benefit from subsidized services.
🏥 Healthcare
75%
Weight: 20
Access to healthcare is good, with a variety of services available.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
80%
Weight: 80
Hot summers and mild winters, with plenty of sunny days throughout the year.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk for natural disasters, though occasional flooding can occur.
🏞️ Green Spaces
50%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in the city, but some parks and recreational areas exist.
❄️ Air Conditioning
90%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is widely available and essential due to the hot climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
40%
Weight: 10
Limited seasonal variety; primarily hot weather year-round.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
55%
Weight: 20
Cultural experiences are available, but they may not be as diverse as in larger cities.
🌃 Nightlife
40%
Weight: 15
Nightlife options are limited, with few bars and clubs due to cultural restrictions.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches and desert landscapes, but limited hiking or nature trails.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
35%
Weight: 10
Few formal language learning opportunities for Arabic, primarily self-study.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
50%
Weight: 10
Some local tours available, but options are limited compared to major tourist destinations.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls and indoor entertainment options exist, but variety is limited.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
60%
Weight: 25
A mix of local and international cuisine, but not as vibrant as larger cities.
🧠 Yoga Studios
45%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available, with limited classes offered.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
60%
Weight: 15
Various fitness facilities available, but quality can vary.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
55%
Weight: 15
Some healthy food options available, but not as widespread as in other cities.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
Time zone can be challenging for remote work with Western countries.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities for digital nomads, with few events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Some remote job opportunities exist, but the local market is not very robust.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
40%
Weight: 20
Limited freelance opportunities, with few platforms catering to the local market.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Quality of coworking spaces varies, with few options available.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene, but still in its infancy compared to other regions.
💳 Local Payment Services
65%
Weight: 10
Local payment services are available, but reliance on cash is still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption of blockchain and crypto technologies in the region.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
70%
Weight: 30
Good connectivity via King Fahd International Airport, with flights to major cities.
🚇 Public Transit
40%
Weight: 20
Public transit options are limited, with reliance on cars and taxis.
🚶 Walkability
50%
Weight: 20
Some areas are walkable, but overall urban design favors vehicles.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
75%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services like Uber are available and widely used.
🚲 Cycling
30%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure, making it difficult to bike around the city.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Buses and trains connect to other cities, but options can be infrequent.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
20%
Weight: 10
Very few options for scooter or bike rentals in the city.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Good mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPN services are generally reliable, but some restrictions may apply.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
85%
Weight: 15
Power supply is generally reliable, with few outages reported.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
40%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited, mostly found in cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa processes can be bureaucratic, but options for expatriates exist.
📊 Tax Friendliness
65%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax for expatriates, making it relatively tax-friendly.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
30%
Weight: 15
Limited freedom of speech, with strict regulations on public expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
75%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment, though regional tensions exist.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be bureaucratic, but possible for expatriates.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Business registration can be complex, but recent reforms aim to simplify the process.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa currently available in Saudi Arabia.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Limited amenities and community for digital nomads, making it less friendly.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence for digital nomads in the region.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
80%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low crime rates, though caution is advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Cultural norms can be restrictive for women, but improvements are being made.
✊ Racial Tolerance
40%
Weight: 50
Cultural attitudes can vary, with some challenges for expatriates.