Embassy housing, private car, international school
$11,000/mo
Rent$6,500
Groceries$700
Lifestyle & leisure$600
Transport$300
Utilities$140
Dining out$1,000
Healthcare$280
School fees (per child)$1,600
Domestic help$130
Premium
Ambassador residence, full staff, elite school, diplomatic circuit
$22,000/mo
Rent$12,000
Groceries$1,000
Lifestyle & leisure$2,000
Transport$700
Utilities$180
Dining out$2,500
Healthcare$600
School fees (per child)$3,000
Domestic help$450
The Diplomatic Quarter commands the highest rents in Riyadh. Most residents have employer-paid housing, which normalises the premium. The DQ has its own commercial infrastructure including the only truly pedestrian-friendly retail area in the city.
🌬️ 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
70%
Expat Population
High
Income Level
20000
Population
Nationalities
Saudi30%
Western35%
Arab Diplomat15%
Asian Diplomat12%
Other8%
Languages Spoken
English45%
Arabic35%
🏘️ Community & Culture
70% expat — most international neighbourhood in Saudi ArabiaActive diplomatic and NGO community social circuitHistorically greater social latitude than wider RiyadhSelf-contained enclave with full residential infrastructure
A City Within a City
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Greenest neighbourhood in Riyadh by wide marginRunning and cycling trails within the compoundSwimming pools, tennis and squash courts availableRich diplomatic cultural calendar year-round
Riyadh's Greenest Neighbourhood
🚗 Getting Around
Genuinely walkable within compound boundariesCycling practical on landscaped internal roads15-20 minutes to Al Olaya by carGated security means prior Uber registration needed
Internal Walkability is Real Here
🛒 Daily Life
Self-contained commercial district within compoundBest school access in Riyadh for diplomatsInternational supermarkets with global product rangeConsistently top-rated quality of life in Riyadh
Self-Contained and Well-Provisioned
📝 Living with the Climate
The DQ shares Riyadh extreme desert climate but its extensive green landscaping and tree cover provide a noticeably more comfortable microclimate than surrounding urban areas — particularly in spring and autumn. Summer highs of 43–44 degrees C still make outdoor activity impractical from June to August, but the shaded walking trails extend the comfortable outdoor season slightly. Winter evenings can drop to 7–10 degrees C. Spring sandstorms affect the DQ as they do all of Riyadh.
