Buying real estate in Riyadh?

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How much will you pay for an apartment in Riyadh today? (2026)

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As of June 2026, buying an apartment in Riyadh usually means paying around SAR 820,000 for a normal median apartment, or about USD 219,000 and EUR 188,000, before closing costs, furniture and financing.

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We constantly update this blog post so foreign buyers can read fresh Riyadh apartment price estimates, not old real estate numbers that no longer match the 2026 market.

Riyadh apartment prices in 2026 are still high compared with pre-2020 levels, but the market is becoming more selective because supply is rising and buyers are more careful.

This guide focuses only on residential apartments in Riyadh, because studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments do not behave like villas or land plots.

And if you’re planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Riyadh.

Insights

  • The average apartment price in Riyadh in 2026 is about SAR 1.05 million, but the median is closer to SAR 820,000, so many normal buyers should not use the average as their budget.
  • Riyadh apartment prices in 2026 are highly local: Al Shifa and Al Aziziyah can sit near SAR 3,000 to SAR 4,200 per m², while Hittin and Diplomatic Quarter can go above SAR 11,000 per m².
  • A foreign buyer in Riyadh in 2026 should plan for 8% to 11% in buyer costs on top of the apartment price, mainly because the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax is unavoidable.
  • The safest apartment format for a foreign buyer in Riyadh is often a clean two-bedroom unit with parking, because it fits families, expat professionals and future resale buyers.
  • Studios in Riyadh are not always the best cheap entry point, because small one-bedroom apartments often have deeper tenant demand and better resale liquidity.
  • New-build apartments in Riyadh in 2026 can cost 15% to 30% more than similar resale apartments, but that premium only makes sense when the location and building quality are strong.
  • Riyadh’s 2026 apartment market is not just “north expensive, south cheap” anymore, because metro access, KAFD access, airport access and school clusters now create smaller micro-markets.
  • The lack of a broad annual residential property tax in Saudi Arabia helps holding costs, but HOA fees, AC electricity bills and maintenance reserves still matter for net yield.
  • Foreign ownership in Riyadh is regulated, so the first legal question is not only “Can I afford this apartment?” but also “Is this exact property eligible for non-Saudi ownership?”

How much do apartments really cost in Riyadh in 2026?

What's the average and median apartment price in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, the average apartment price in Riyadh is about SAR 1.05 million, or about USD 280,000 and EUR 241,000, while the median apartment price in Riyadh is closer to SAR 820,000, or about USD 219,000 and EUR 188,000.

For price per square meter, a realistic Riyadh apartment benchmark in 2026 is about SAR 6,100 per m², or about USD 1,625 and EUR 1,400 per m², which is about SAR 567 per sq ft, USD 151 per sq ft and EUR 130 per sq ft.

Most standard apartments in Riyadh in 2026 fall between SAR 450,000 and SAR 1.6 million, or about USD 120,000 to USD 427,000 and EUR 103,000 to EUR 368,000, depending mainly on neighborhood, size, parking and building age.

Sources and methodology: we compared GASTAT, Knight Frank, JLL and Bayut. We adjusted older 2025 benchmarks with Q1 2026 cooling signals and current Riyadh listing texture. We also used our own district checks to avoid relying on one portal price.

How much is a studio apartment in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, a typical studio apartment in Riyadh costs about SAR 390,000, or about USD 104,000 and EUR 90,000, although true studios are less common than family apartments in the Riyadh market.

Entry-level to mid-range studio apartments in Riyadh usually cost SAR 300,000 to SAR 520,000, or about USD 80,000 to USD 139,000 and EUR 69,000 to EUR 120,000, while serviced or luxury studios can reach SAR 650,000, or about USD 173,000 and EUR 149,000.

Most studio apartments in Riyadh are about 40 to 65 m², so a buyer should check whether the unit is a true studio, a furnished serviced unit or a small one-bedroom apartment marketed as compact living.

Sources and methodology: we used Global Property Guide, Knight Frank and Bayut. We applied Riyadh per-m² bands to common studio sizes. We then checked our internal pricing ranges because studio supply is thin in many Riyadh districts.

How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, a typical one-bedroom apartment in Riyadh costs about SAR 560,000, or about USD 149,000 and EUR 129,000, for a normal unit outside the most expensive north and central districts.

Entry-level to mid-range one-bedroom apartments in Riyadh usually cost SAR 450,000 to SAR 700,000, or about USD 120,000 to USD 187,000 and EUR 103,000 to EUR 161,000, while high-end one-bedroom apartments in Al Malqa, Hittin, Olaya or premium serviced buildings can reach SAR 900,000, or about USD 240,000 and EUR 207,000.

Most one-bedroom apartments in Riyadh are about 70 to 90 m², so the final price depends heavily on whether the apartment has good parking, modern AC, elevator access and a location near jobs or daily services.

Sources and methodology: we compared CBRE, JLL and Bayut. We multiplied Riyadh per-m² levels by typical one-bedroom sizes. We used our own district logic to separate practical mid-market units from premium serviced units.

How much is a two-bedroom apartment in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, a typical two-bedroom apartment in Riyadh costs about SAR 850,000, or about USD 227,000 and EUR 195,000, which makes it the most useful benchmark for many foreign individual buyers.

Entry-level to mid-range two-bedroom apartments in Riyadh usually cost SAR 700,000 to SAR 1.05 million, or about USD 187,000 to USD 280,000 and EUR 161,000 to EUR 241,000, while high-end two-bedroom apartments in Al Yasmin, Al Narjis, Qurtubah, Hittin or Al Malqa can reach SAR 1.4 million, or about USD 373,000 and EUR 322,000.

By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges for apartments in our property pack covering the property market in Riyadh.

Sources and methodology: we used GASTAT, Knight Frank and CBRE. We assumed a normal two-bedroom size of about 110 to 140 m². We also checked active market evidence because two-bedroom apartments are the core investor product in Riyadh.

How much is a three-bedroom apartment in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, a typical three-bedroom apartment in Riyadh costs about SAR 1.25 million, or about USD 333,000 and EUR 287,000, for a good family-sized apartment in a normal to strong district.

Entry-level to mid-range three-bedroom apartments in Riyadh usually cost SAR 1.05 million to SAR 1.6 million, or about USD 280,000 to USD 427,000 and EUR 241,000 to EUR 368,000, while luxury three-bedroom apartments in Al Malqa, Hittin, Al Yasmin, Al Narjis or Diplomatic Quarter can reach SAR 2.2 million, or about USD 587,000 and EUR 506,000.

Most three-bedroom apartments in Riyadh are about 160 to 220 m², so buyers should check the service charge, parking, AC systems and building management before comparing headline prices.

Sources and methodology: we compared JLL, Knight Frank and Global Property Guide. We applied Riyadh price bands to family-sized apartment layouts. We adjusted upward for north Riyadh liquidity and downward for older resale stock.

What's the price gap between new and resale apartments in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, new-build apartments in Riyadh usually sell for about 15% to 30% more than comparable resale apartments, and the premium can reach about 35% in prime projects with better parking, security and shared facilities.

A realistic average price for new-build apartments in Riyadh in 2026 is about SAR 7,700 per m², or about USD 2,053 and EUR 1,770 per m², with prime new projects often going higher.

For resale apartments in Riyadh in 2026, a realistic average is closer to SAR 5,800 per m², or about USD 1,547 and EUR 1,333 per m², but older buildings with weak maintenance can trade below that level.

Sources and methodology: we compared CBRE, JLL and Knight Frank. We separated genuine new-build premiums from ordinary listing markups. We also used our own checks to avoid overpricing generic new supply far from jobs or services.

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Can I afford to buy in Riyadh in 2026?

What's the typical total budget (all-in) to buy an apartment in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, a foreign buyer should plan an all-in budget of about SAR 918,000 to SAR 944,000, or about USD 245,000 to USD 252,000 and EUR 211,000 to EUR 217,000, for a standard SAR 850,000 two-bedroom apartment in Riyadh.

This all-in budget usually includes the apartment price, the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax, possible brokerage, legal checks, bank valuation costs, inspection, basic setup and a safety buffer before furniture.

We go deeper and try to understand what costs can be avoided or minimized (and how) in our Riyadh property pack.

Sources and methodology: we used ZATCA, REGA and SAMA. We started with the mandatory 5% tax and added practical Riyadh buyer costs. We kept the estimate conservative because foreign-buyer checks can add time and cost.

What down payment is typical to buy in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, a foreign buyer using financing in Riyadh should usually plan for a 30% down payment, which is about SAR 255,000, USD 68,000 and EUR 59,000 on a SAR 850,000 apartment.

Many lenders may require at least 25% to 35% down for a salaried foreign resident in Saudi Arabia, while non-resident buyers or buyers with irregular income may need 35% to 50% or a cash-heavy deal.

A safer planning target in Riyadh in 2026 is 30% down plus 8% to 11% buyer costs, because this gives a buyer more room when interest rates, eligibility checks or bank valuations are not favorable.

Sources and methodology: we used SAMA statistics, SAMA repo-rate data and Argaam mortgage reporting. We treated promotional mortgage offers as less reliable than conservative bank underwriting. We used our own affordability model because foreign-buyer approval depends heavily on residency, employer and property eligibility.

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Which neighborhoods are cheapest or priciest in Riyadh in 2026?

How much does the price per m² for apartments vary by neighborhood in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, apartment prices in Riyadh range from about SAR 2,800 to SAR 13,000 per m², or about USD 747 to USD 3,467 and EUR 644 to EUR 2,989 per m², depending on the neighborhood and building quality.

In the most affordable Riyadh neighborhoods, such as Al Shifa, Al Aziziyah and Al Dar Al Baida, a normal apartment often costs about SAR 2,800 to SAR 4,300 per m², or about USD 747 to USD 1,147 and EUR 644 to EUR 989 per m².

In the most expensive Riyadh neighborhoods, such as Hittin, Al Malqa, Olaya and Diplomatic Quarter, a good apartment often costs about SAR 7,500 to SAR 13,000 per m², or about USD 2,000 to USD 3,467 and EUR 1,724 to EUR 2,989 per m².

Sources and methodology: we compared Bayut, Global Property Guide and Knight Frank. We grouped neighborhoods by price, liquidity and buyer profile. We then adjusted the ranges because Riyadh district averages can hide very different micro-locations.

What neighborhoods are best for first-time buyers on a budget in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, the top three Riyadh neighborhoods for first-time apartment buyers on a budget are Al Munsiyah, Al Hamra and Al Aziziyah, with Al Shifa and selected parts of Al Yarmuk also worth checking.

In these budget-friendly Riyadh neighborhoods, a practical apartment usually costs about SAR 350,000 to SAR 850,000, or about USD 93,000 to USD 227,000 and EUR 80,000 to EUR 195,000.

Al Munsiyah, Al Hamra and Al Aziziyah work for first-time buyers because they offer lower entry prices, family demand, daily services and better tenant depth than very weak fringe locations.

The trade-off is that budget Riyadh neighborhoods can be more car-dependent, less prestigious and more sensitive to building maintenance problems than Al Malqa, Hittin, Qurtubah or Olaya.

Sources and methodology: we used Bayut, JLL and CBRE. We prioritized affordability, liquidity and normal tenant demand. We did not rank the cheapest areas first when resale depth looked weak.

Which neighborhoods have the fastest-rising apartment prices in Riyadh in 2026?

As of June 2026, the fastest-rising apartment areas in Riyadh are likely Al Taawun, King Abdullah District and Olaya, with Al Yasmin, Qurtubah, Al Narjis and Hittin also showing strong demand.

Recent appreciation in these faster Riyadh apartment areas is roughly 10% to 35%, depending on the exact district, with Al Taawun and metro-linked locations showing the sharpest reported uplifts.

The main driver is better access to jobs, metro stations, KAFD, King Abdullah Road, the airport corridor and northern lifestyle services, not only luxury branding.

Sources and methodology: we used Knight Frank, JLL and Bayut. We treated fast growth as local, not citywide. We cross-checked growth claims against supply pressure because Riyadh has many new units coming.

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What extra costs will I pay on top of the apartment price in Riyadh in 2026?

What are all the buyer closing costs when you buy an apartment in Riyadh?

For a typical SAR 850,000 apartment in Riyadh in 2026, buyer closing costs are about SAR 68,000 to SAR 94,000, or about USD 18,000 to USD 25,000 and EUR 16,000 to EUR 22,000, before furniture.

The main closing costs in Riyadh are the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax, possible brokerage, legal review, property eligibility checks, bank valuation, mortgage admin, inspection and small registration or platform costs.

The largest buyer closing cost in Riyadh is usually the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax, which would be SAR 42,500, USD 11,300 and EUR 9,800 on a SAR 850,000 apartment.

Some Riyadh closing costs can vary, especially brokerage, legal review, bank fees and inspection costs, but the tax and foreign-ownership compliance checks should not be treated as optional.

Sources and methodology: we used ZATCA, REGA and Saudi Press Agency. We separated mandatory tax from negotiable transaction costs. We added a foreign-buyer buffer because eligibility checks can be more important than in a local purchase.

On average, how much are buyer closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price for an apartment in Riyadh?

A normal foreign buyer should budget about 8% to 11% of the apartment price for closing costs in Riyadh in 2026, excluding furniture and large renovation work.

The realistic low-to-high range is about 6% to 12% of the purchase price, with the low end more likely for a simple cash purchase and the high end more likely for a financed or complex foreign-buyer transaction.

We actually cover all these costs and strategies to minimize them in our pack about the real estate market in Riyadh.

Sources and methodology: we used ZATCA, REGA and SAMA. We built the percentage from tax, broker, legal and bank-cost layers. We kept the range broad because Riyadh transaction costs change with financing, brokerage and buyer profile.

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What are the ongoing monthly and yearly costs of an apartment in Riyadh in 2026?

What are typical HOA fees in Riyadh right now?

HOA or service charges are common in many newer Riyadh apartment buildings, and a normal apartment owner should budget about SAR 300 to SAR 900 per month, or about USD 80 to USD 240 and EUR 69 to EUR 207.

The realistic Riyadh range runs from about SAR 150 to SAR 350 per month, or USD 40 to USD 93 and EUR 34 to EUR 80, in older basic buildings, to SAR 1,200 to SAR 2,500+ per month, or USD 320 to USD 667 and EUR 276 to EUR 575, in serviced or amenity-rich buildings.

Sources and methodology: we used JLL, CBRE and Bayut. Saudi official data does not publish one clean Riyadh HOA average. We used building type, amenities and our own operating-cost checks to estimate realistic ranges.

What utilities should I budget monthly in Riyadh right now?

A typical apartment owner in Riyadh should budget about SAR 450 to SAR 1,200 per month for utilities in 2026, or about USD 120 to USD 320 and EUR 103 to EUR 276.

The realistic range is about SAR 300 to SAR 550 per month for a studio and SAR 850 to SAR 1,500 per month for a three-bedroom apartment, while a large family apartment in peak summer can go above SAR 2,000 per month.

This Riyadh utility budget normally includes electricity, water and sewerage, internet and small household services, with electricity taking the largest share because air conditioning is used heavily in summer.

Electricity is usually the most expensive utility in Riyadh apartments, so buyers should check AC age, insulation, windows and sun exposure before trusting a low monthly estimate.

Sources and methodology: we used SERA, Saudi Electricity Company and Saudi Water Authority. We applied official tariff logic to normal Riyadh apartment sizes. We adjusted for summer cooling because Riyadh AC use can change the bill quickly.

How much is property tax on apartments in Riyadh?

For a normal residential apartment owner in Riyadh in 2026, the typical annual property tax is usually SAR 0, USD 0 and EUR 0, because Saudi Arabia does not have a broad annual homeowner property tax like many Western countries.

The main property tax for a Riyadh apartment buyer is not annual property tax but the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax paid at transfer.

For standard apartment ownership, the realistic annual property tax range is usually SAR 0, but rental income, company ownership, land rules or tax residence can create separate tax questions that need professional advice.

Sources and methodology: we used ZATCA, REGA and Saudi Press Agency. We separated recurring ownership tax from transfer tax. We treated rental income and business ownership as separate cases because they can change the tax picture.

What's the yearly building maintenance cost in Riyadh?

A normal Riyadh apartment owner should budget about 0.5% to 1.0% of the apartment value per year for maintenance reserves, which is about SAR 4,250 to SAR 8,500, USD 1,100 to USD 2,300 and EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,000 on a SAR 850,000 apartment.

The realistic yearly maintenance range in Riyadh is about 0.3% of value for a newer well-managed apartment and up to 1.5% of value for an older building with weak maintenance or heavy AC issues.

Maintenance costs in Riyadh usually cover AC repairs, plumbing, waterproofing, small electrical work, elevator-related contributions, parking issues and wear from heat and dust.

Some building maintenance is included in HOA fees, but private repairs inside the apartment are normally separate, so buyers should not assume the monthly service charge covers everything.

Sources and methodology: we used JLL, CBRE and Saudi Electricity Company. No public source gives one perfect Riyadh maintenance figure. We estimated from building age, climate stress, service charges and our own apartment-cost model.

How much does home insurance cost in Riyadh?

A typical annual home insurance budget for an apartment in Riyadh is about SAR 500 to SAR 2,500, or about USD 133 to USD 667 and EUR 115 to EUR 575, depending on coverage.

The realistic annual range is about SAR 300 to SAR 900 for basic contents cover and SAR 1,200 to SAR 4,000+ for stronger owner, landlord or financed-property cover, which is about USD 80 to USD 1,067 and EUR 69 to EUR 920.

Home insurance is often optional for a cash apartment owner in Riyadh, but lenders may require insurance when a mortgage is used, and landlords should still price it before calculating net yield.

Sources and methodology: we used SAMA, SAMA statistics and CBRE. Public Riyadh insurance pricing is less transparent than transfer tax. We used mortgage practice, property value and landlord-risk logic to build a practical range.

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What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it’s in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Riyadh, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don’t throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we’ve listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.

Source Why we trust it How we used it
GASTAT Real Estate Price Index Q1 2026 GASTAT is Saudi Arabia’s official statistical authority. We used it to anchor the national 2026 price direction. We treated its Q1 2026 cooling signal as more reliable than listing noise.
GASTAT main portal It is the official statistical reference for Saudi Arabia. We used it for official statistical context. We relied on private data only where GASTAT does not publish neighborhood apartment prices.
REGA Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership REGA is the direct real estate regulator in Saudi Arabia. We used it to frame foreign-buyer rules in Riyadh. We treated ownership as regulated and location-specific, not automatic everywhere.
Saudi Press Agency foreign ownership announcement SPA publishes official Saudi government announcements. We used it to confirm the January 22, 2026 start date. We also used it to explain the official Saudi Properties application route.
ZATCA Real Estate Transaction Tax ZATCA is Saudi Arabia’s official tax authority. We used it for the 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax. We separated this mandatory cost from negotiable broker, legal and bank costs.
SAMA statistics portal SAMA is the Saudi central bank. We used it to ground mortgage and finance assumptions. We kept down-payment estimates conservative for foreign buyers.
SAMA repo-rate data It is the official source for Saudi policy-rate history. We used it to understand 2026 borrowing-cost pressure. We linked mortgage affordability to the wider rate environment.
SERA electricity tariff SERA is the Saudi electricity regulator. We used it to estimate electricity bills from official tariff logic. We adjusted the result for Riyadh’s high summer cooling needs.
Saudi Electricity Company consumption tariffs SEC is the national electricity provider. We used it to check residential electricity tariff categories. We applied those tariffs to typical Riyadh apartment sizes.
Saudi Water Authority water bill calculator It is an official Saudi water-sector authority. We used it to estimate water and sewerage costs. We combined official tariff logic with normal apartment occupancy.
Knight Frank Saudi Arabia Residential Market Review Knight Frank is a major global real estate consultancy. We used it for Riyadh residential market benchmarks. We cross-checked its figures against official and portal data.
CBRE Saudi Arabia Real Estate Market Review Q1 2026 CBRE is a major real estate advisory firm. We used it for 2026 supply and market-stability context. We treated new supply as a risk for generic apartments.
CBRE Saudi Arabia Real Estate Market Review Q4 2025 It gives recent context before the 2026 market shift. We used it to understand Riyadh’s large delivery pipeline. We used that pipeline to avoid assuming endless price growth.
JLL KSA Living Market Dynamics Q1 2026 JLL publishes current Saudi living-sector research. We used it to frame the move toward demand-driven pricing. We also used it to understand affordability and lifestyle demand.
Global Property Guide Riyadh square-meter prices It offers international residential price comparisons. We used it as an outside check on Riyadh price levels. We did not rely on it alone because city-level data can be broad.
Bayut Riyadh Q1 2026 market article Bayut is a major Saudi property portal. We used it for listing-market texture and neighborhood signals. We weighted it below official sources and major consultancy reports.
Argaam SAMA mortgage reporting Argaam reports Saudi market data closely. We used it to check recent mortgage-market movement. We treated it as a useful current read, not as a replacement for SAMA.

For currency conversions, we rounded at about SAR 3.75 per USD and SAR 4.35 per EUR, so the foreign-currency numbers are practical estimates rather than exact bank quotes.

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