Furnished vs Unfurnished Apartments in Riyadh: Price Gap and Hidden Costs (2026)
Furnished or unfurnished? It is the first real decision most expats face after landing a job in Riyadh. The answer depends on two things: how long you plan to stay and how much cash you are willing to spend upfront. We pulled live pricing data from 13+ Saudi rental platforms to quantify the gap and help you decide.
The price gap: Riyadh-wide numbers
As of April 2026, Darak tracks 690 furnished and 1,161 unfurnished 2-bedroom apartment listings across Riyadh. The median annual rents tell the story:
| Bedrooms | Furnished (median) | Unfurnished (median) | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BR | SAR 30,000/yr | SAR 22,000/yr | +36% |
| 2 BR | SAR 65,000/yr | SAR 37,000/yr | +78% |
| 3 BR | SAR 62,000/yr | SAR 49,000/yr | +27% |
The 2-bedroom gap is the widest because that is the most common furnished unit size. Landlords who invest in furnishing tend to target the 2BR segment where expat demand is highest, and they price aggressively for that convenience.
Neighborhood comparisons
The premium varies by area. In neighborhoods popular with expats, here is what we see for 2-bedroom apartments:
Al Narjis: Furnished units range SAR 50,000-75,000/yr (43 listings). Unfurnished units range SAR 28,000-55,000/yr (121 listings). A specific example: one listing advertises SAR 70,000/yr furnished with AC, kitchen, and smart lock. The same developer (Aamar) lists an identical unfurnished unit in the same building at SAR 55,000/yr. That is a SAR 15,000 premium for furniture alone.
Al Yasmin: Furnished 2BRs cluster at SAR 60,000-95,000/yr (17 listings). Unfurnished options range SAR 39,000-85,000/yr (19 listings). The Majdiya complex is a benchmark here: furnished 2BRs go for SAR 75,000/yr, while nearby unfurnished units in the same neighborhood start at SAR 55,000/yr.
Al Malqa: Furnished 2BRs range SAR 35,000-80,000/yr (70 listings). Unfurnished options range SAR 40,000-52,000/yr (67 listings). The larger furnished supply here pushes prices competitive with unfurnished in some cases, especially for smaller units.
Hidden costs of going unfurnished
The sticker price on an unfurnished apartment is lower. But "unfurnished" in Riyadh means something different from what you might expect.
Many Riyadh apartments come with NO air conditioning installed. Check before signing. Installing split AC units costs SAR 1,500-3,000 each, and a typical 2-bedroom apartment needs 3-4 units. That is SAR 4,500-12,000 just for cooling in a city where summer temperatures exceed 45C.
Here is what you will likely need to buy or install when moving into an unfurnished apartment:
| Item | Estimated cost (SAR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Split AC units (3-4) | 4,500-12,000 | Many buildings have no AC. Some newer ones include it. |
| Kitchen | 3,000-5,000 | Cabinets, countertop. Some apartments have no sink installed. |
| Major appliances | 3,000-5,000 | Fridge, washing machine, stove/oven |
| Furniture | 5,000-15,000 | Beds, sofa, dining table, wardrobes. IKEA is the baseline. |
| Curtains and blinds | 500-1,500 | Most windows come bare |
| Water heater | 300-800 | Sometimes missing in older buildings |
| Total first-time setup | 16,300-39,300 | Wide range depending on quality and apartment condition |
The practical range for most expats is SAR 15,000-25,000. You can go cheaper buying used furniture on Haraj or Facebook Marketplace, or spend more at Pottery Barn and West Elm in the new malls.
One critical detail: if you buy split AC units and a kitchen, those stay with the apartment when you leave. You cannot take them with you. That money is gone.
Break-even analysis
The math is straightforward. Take a 2-bedroom apartment in Al Narjis:
- Furnished: SAR 68,000/yr
- Unfurnished: SAR 43,000/yr
- Annual difference: SAR 25,000
- Setup cost (unfurnished): SAR 20,000 (mid-range estimate)
| Stay length | Furnished total | Unfurnished total | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | SAR 68,000 | SAR 63,000 | Unfurnished (barely) |
| 2 years | SAR 136,000 | SAR 106,000 | Unfurnished by SAR 30K |
| 3 years | SAR 204,000 | SAR 149,000 | Unfurnished by SAR 55K |
Under 1 year: Furnished wins. The setup cost and hassle of buying everything for a short stay does not justify the savings.
1-2 years: Borderline. Unfurnished is cheaper on paper, but factor in the time cost of shopping, installation, and the fact that you lose the AC investment when you leave.
Over 2 years: Unfurnished wins. The annual savings compound, and you get exactly the furniture and layout you want.
Monthly furnished options for new arrivals
If you just landed in Riyadh and need a place while you search for a longer-term apartment, monthly furnished rentals are available. Expect to pay:
- Studio: SAR 3,000-5,000/month
- 1 BR: SAR 4,000-6,000/month
- 2 BR: SAR 5,000-8,000/month
These are typically hotel apartments or short-term serviced units. They are not registered on Ejar and operate more like hotel stays. Budget 1-3 months in a monthly rental while you search for your permanent apartment. The cost adds up fast, so move quickly.
Some listings in our data show monthly rates: a furnished 2BR in Al Narjis at SAR 5,000/month (SAR 60,000/yr annualized), or a furnished 1BR in Al Malqa at SAR 5,000/month. These work well as transitional housing.
When furnished makes sense
- Staying under 2 years. The setup costs for unfurnished do not pay off in a short stint.
- Relocating with minimal belongings. If you are arriving with suitcases and nothing else, furnished gets you settled in a day.
- Employer covers rent. If your company pays your housing, the furnished premium comes out of their budget, not yours. Take the convenience.
- You do not want the hassle. Finding AC installers, kitchen contractors, and furniture delivery in a new city while starting a new job is a real time cost.
When unfurnished makes sense
- Staying 2+ years. The annual savings add up to tens of thousands of riyals.
- You want to choose your own furniture. Furnished apartments in Riyadh are hit or miss on quality. Some have new, modern pieces. Others have worn-out sofas and sagging mattresses.
- Family with specific needs. Children's beds, a large dining table, specific kitchen equipment. Furnished apartments rarely match what a family actually needs.
- Lower annual rent. More negotiating power on unfurnished units because the landlord has less invested in the unit.
- Much larger selection. There are nearly twice as many unfurnished listings (1,161 vs 690 for 2BRs). More choices mean better apartments at better prices.
Related guides
- Renting in Riyadh: The Expat Hub Guide ties together all six sub-guides
- Best Neighborhoods for Expats in Riyadh ranks 10 neighborhoods by price and livability
- Budget Neighborhoods in Riyadh covers areas under SAR 35,000/year
- Understanding Ejar Contracts explains the mandatory digital lease registration
- Housing Allowance Calculator maps your salary to neighborhoods you can afford
Ready to compare prices yourself? Browse Riyadh rentals across 13+ platforms: Riyadh
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