Forum
Analytics
Khobar, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
#144
,
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
64%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be higher in expat-favored neighborhoods; limited short-term options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78%
Weight: 40
Local markets offer affordable fresh produce; dining out ranges from inexpensive local eateries to pricier international restaurants.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but taxis and ride-hailing services are affordable; fuel prices are low.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
52%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are growing but still limited; costs vary with many family-oriented venues.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
67%
Weight: 10
Gyms are available with moderate pricing; some premium facilities exist but can be costly.
💱 Currency Stability
93%
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
51%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces; mostly concentrated in major business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
63%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi but quality and speed can vary; fewer digital nomad-focused spots.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
47%
Weight: 30
Limited cafes catering specifically to digital nomads; cultural norms may restrict laptop use in some venues.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Not a widely known or popular destination for digital nomads yet.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with good data plans for visitors.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
68%
Weight: 30
Strong cultural emphasis on family and social life; work hours can be long but improving.
🌳 Environmental Quality
54%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution and dust storms affect air quality; coastal areas have better environmental conditions.
🧼 Cleanliness
76%
Weight: 10
Public spaces and streets are generally clean due to strict municipal regulations.
🗨️ Language Barrier
49%
Weight: 30
Arabic is dominant; English is widely spoken in business but less so in everyday interactions.
💨 Air Quality
43%
Weight: 15
Frequent dust storms and urban pollution lower air quality, especially in summer months.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Safe environment with family-oriented amenities and schools.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
72%
Weight: 20
Modern healthcare facilities with good standards in urban centers; some specialties may require travel.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
65%
Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable for residents; private care can be expensive without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Accessible healthcare with a mix of public and private providers; quality varies by facility.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
86%
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
41%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces within the city; some parks exist but are small and sparse.
❄️ Air Conditioning
97%
Weight: 15
Widespread and reliable air conditioning in homes, offices, and public spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
23%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; predominantly hot and dry year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
64%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; less traffic noise compared to larger cities.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
75%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with strong Islamic traditions; conservative social norms.
🌃 Nightlife
28%
Weight: 15
Nightlife is very limited due to cultural and legal restrictions.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
60%
Weight: 15
Access to desert landscapes and nearby beaches; limited urban outdoor recreational areas.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
55%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Arabic exist but are limited; English widely used in business.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
67%
Weight: 10
Growing tourism sector with desert safaris, cultural tours, and historical sites.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls and cinemas available; entertainment options are expanding.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Strong Middle Eastern cuisine with growing international food options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
39%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; wellness culture is emerging but limited.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
62%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers available, though female access may be restricted in some places.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68%
Weight: 15
Fresh produce is available; healthy dining options increasing but not widespread.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
73%
Weight: 20
UTC+3 timezone is convenient for Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
46%
Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events for digital nomads; business networking mostly traditional.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
38%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most remote work is international.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
35%
Weight: 20
Freelance culture is nascent with limited local platforms or communities.
🏢 Coworking Quality
49%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
57%
Weight: 15
Growing startup ecosystem supported by government initiatives but still developing.
💳 Local Payment Services
61%
Weight: 10
Digital payment options improving; cash still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
42%
Weight: 15
Regulatory environment cautious; limited adoption and use.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
78%
Weight: 30
King Fahd International Airport offers good regional and international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
33%
Weight: 20
Public transportation infrastructure is limited; no metro system.
🚶 Walkability
39%
Weight: 20
Urban layout favors cars; pedestrian infrastructure is limited and challenging in heat.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
74%
Weight: 15
Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem widely used and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
21%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal; hot climate discourages cycling.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good road network and domestic flights; limited rail options.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
18%
Weight: 10
Very limited availability of scooter or bike rentals.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
84%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
60%
Weight: 20
VPNs work but some restrictions and occasional slowdowns due to regulation.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
45%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited mostly to malls and airports; not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
69%
Weight: 40
Tourist and business visas are accessible; recent reforms improving entry processes.
📊 Tax Friendliness
88%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax; favorable tax environment for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
24%
Weight: 15
Strict regulations on speech and expression; limited freedom compared to Western standards.
🏛️ Political Stability
79%
Weight: 20
Stable government with low risk of political unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
53%
Weight: 15
Banking requires residency and documentation; process can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Government initiatives have streamlined business registration but some complexity remains.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
37%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
29%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups targeting digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
41%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online presence for expats and remote workers.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
83%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates, especially in expat areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
36%
Weight: 50
Conservative culture imposes restrictions on women; improving but still limited freedoms.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Multicultural workforce but some social segregation and discrimination reported.