Forum
Analytics
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#142
,
Nomad Score:
58%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Western cities; more affordable than Riyadh but higher than smaller Saudi cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
54%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be high in expat-favored neighborhoods; options vary widely.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer affordable groceries; eating out is moderately priced with many local options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; taxis and ride-hailing services are reasonably priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
43%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited due to cultural restrictions; cinemas and malls available but nightlife is minimal.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available with moderate pricing; some high-end gyms can be expensive.
💱 Currency Stability
87%
Weight: 30
Saudi Riyal is pegged to the US dollar, providing strong currency stability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Good internet infrastructure with widespread 4G and growing 5G coverage; fiber-optic available in many areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
51%
Weight: 40
Limited but growing number of coworking spaces, mostly in business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
63%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, but the atmosphere is often more social than work-focused.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
47%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; work-friendly environments are limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Not a popular destination for digital nomads yet; cultural and regulatory factors limit appeal.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with good data plans for foreigners.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Work culture is improving with more flexible hours, but traditional business hours still dominate.
🌳 Environmental Quality
50%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution and dust storms affect air quality; coastal location offers some relief.
🧼 Cleanliness
74%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean with active municipal services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
41%
Weight: 30
Arabic is dominant; English is widely spoken in business and tourist areas but can be a barrier elsewhere.
💨 Air Quality
45%
Weight: 15
Air quality fluctuates with dust storms and urban pollution; not ideal for sensitive individuals.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
62%
Weight: 25
Safe environment with family-oriented culture; limited entertainment for children.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
78%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities available, especially private hospitals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
69%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable for residents; expats may need insurance for private care.
🏥 Healthcare
75%
Weight: 20
Good access to modern healthcare services with advanced medical technology.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
84%
Weight: 80
Hot desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters; mostly sunny and dry.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
89%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
37%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces and parks within the city; mostly urban and desert surroundings.
❄️ Air Conditioning
92%
Weight: 15
Widespread use of air conditioning in homes, offices, and public spaces due to hot climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
21%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; consistently hot with mild winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
55%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise pollution in busy areas; quieter residential zones available.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
70%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with Islamic traditions; conservative social norms.
🌃 Nightlife
28%
Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife options due to cultural and legal restrictions.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
55%
Weight: 15
Coastal access and Red Sea offer outdoor activities; desert landscapes nearby.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Arabic exist but limited compared to larger cosmopolitan cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
68%
Weight: 10
Growing tourism sector with cultural tours, historic sites, and Red Sea diving.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls and cinemas provide indoor entertainment; limited variety.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options including traditional Saudi, Middle Eastern, and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
39%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios available; wellness culture is emerging but limited.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
62%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available but not widespread.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
65%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy and organic food options in supermarkets and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
77%
Weight: 20
UTC+3 time zone is favorable for working with Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
48%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads; business community is growing.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
35%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
39%
Weight: 20
Freelance culture is nascent; limited local support and platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
46%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but lack variety and community feel.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
52%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem supported by government initiatives but still developing.
💳 Local Payment Services
67%
Weight: 10
Growing use of digital payment platforms and mobile wallets; cash still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
31%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption and regulatory restrictions on cryptocurrencies.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
74%
Weight: 30
King Abdulaziz International Airport offers good regional and some international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
29%
Weight: 20
Public transit infrastructure is minimal; no metro system yet.
🚶 Walkability
34%
Weight: 20
City is car-dependent with limited pedestrian-friendly areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
71%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-hailing services are widely available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
25%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; hot climate discourages cycling.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Good road network and domestic flights; limited train services.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
20%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
55%
Weight: 20
VPNs work but some restrictions and occasional slowdowns due to government regulations.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
86%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
42%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to malls and airports; not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
64%
Weight: 40
Tourist visas are easier to obtain recently; work visas require sponsorship.
📊 Tax Friendliness
80%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax; corporate tax applies mainly to foreign companies.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
21%
Weight: 15
Strict regulations on speech and expression; limited freedom compared to Western standards.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable government with strong control; low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
53%
Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic for foreigners; requires residency.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
67%
Weight: 10
Government initiatives have streamlined business registration but still involves paperwork.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
38%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and social acceptance for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
24%
Weight: 25
Very few digital nomad-specific events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Small online community of expats and nomads; limited local digital nomad forums.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
85%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates; strict law enforcement.
♀️ Female Friendly
36%
Weight: 50
Conservative society with restrictions on women's freedoms; improving but still limited.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Multicultural workforce but some social and legal discrimination exists.