5 5 schools$1,800/mo avg rentMedium expat community
One of Riyadh's fastest-growing northern neighborhoods with modern construction and contemporary cafes. Good access to quality schools.
5/5
Safety
5/5
Family Friendly
4/5
Quality of Life
5/5
Expat Friendly
4/5
Healthcare
Medium
Expat Community
9-43°C
Temp Range
High
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
44°C
Hottest (Aug)
8°C
Coolest (Jan)
26
Sunny days/mo avg
41mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowRainfall
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$1,800
Avg. rent /mo
$9.00
Budget meal
$38
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$5.50
Water (1.5L)$0.60
Groceries
Loaf of bread$1.20
Milk (1L)$2.00
Dozen eggs$3.50
Chicken (1 kg)$5.00
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$1.50
Taxi per km$0.80
Monthly transit pass$27
Gasoline (per liter)$0.35
Monthly Bills
Internet$60 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$80 /mo
Gym membership$60 /mo
Domestic help$350 /mo
Preschool / nursery$700 /mo
Comfortable
Apartment, shared transport, local supermarkets
$3,400/mo
Rent$1,700
Groceries$380
Lifestyle & leisure$180
Transport$140
Utilities$80
Dining out$280
Healthcare$90
School fees (per child)$450
Domestic help$70
Established
Villa with garden, private car, international school
$6,800/mo
Rent$3,500
Groceries$550
Lifestyle & leisure$300
Transport$280
Utilities$110
Dining out$550
Healthcare$180
School fees (per child)$1,100
Domestic help$130
Premium
Large villa, domestic staff, elite international school
$13,000/mo
Rent$6,000
Groceries$850
Lifestyle & leisure$800
Transport$450
Utilities$140
Dining out$1,100
Healthcare$380
School fees (per child)$2,400
Domestic help$450
Al Malqa is a popular northern suburb balancing quality and affordability. It's a top choice for mid-to-senior expat families wanting space and good schools without paying premium Al Aqiq or Diplomatic Quarter prices.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
75Jan
80Feb
110Mar
125Apr
120May
100Jun
90Jul
85Aug
80Sep
70Oct
65Nov
70Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 89. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Nov at 65). Mar–May air quality worsens due to heat, humidity, and dust (peak: Apr at 125). Families with children who have asthma or respiratory conditions should plan indoor activities during summer months.
👥 Demographics
35%
Expat Population
Upper-Middle
Income Level
55000
Population
Nationalities
Saudi65%
Indian10%
Egyptian8%
Western9%
Filipino8%
Languages Spoken
Arabic68%
English20%
🏘️ Community & Culture
Top choice for newly arrived expat familiesHigh density of international schoolsCosmopolitan mix of nationalitiesVision 2030 changes clearly visible in daily life
Northern Riyadh's Family Heartland
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Well-maintained public parks for family gatheringsPadel tennis clubs rapidly expandingCompound pools provide summer reliefDiriyah and Wadi Hanifah within easy reach
Parks and Play Spaces
🚗 Getting Around
Close to King Salman Road and Northern Ring RoadKAFD commute under 20 minutes off-peakMetro station within reach for city-centre commutesPetrol costs among lowest in the world
Highway Access and Grid Layout
🛒 Daily Life
Panda, Tamimi, and Danube supermarkets in districtThriving speciality café sceneHighest concentration of international schools in RiyadhPrivate clinics and hospitals within 15 minutes
Suburban Convenience
📝 Living with the Climate
Riyadh has an extreme desert climate with no moderating sea influence. Summers run May through September with temperatures regularly hitting 44°C. Winters are mild by day (18–23°C) but cold at night (7–10°C). Spring sandstorms can reduce air quality significantly. The comfortable outdoor season is October to April. Rainfall is minimal and unpredictable. Low humidity means heat feels intense without being oppressively muggy.
