Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
4.2M
Population
1,798 km2
Area
211 Mbps
Internet
612m
Elevation
UTC+03:00
Timezone
RUH (30km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Riyadh is a capital city in Saudi Arabia with a population of 4.2M. Internet speeds average 211 Mbps download. The city has 5,908 mapped points of interest.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Saudi Arabia
Region
Western Asia
Population
4.2M
Timezone
UTC+03:00
Elevation
612 m
Language
Arabic
Status
Capital City
Airport
RUH
GPS
24.69, 46.72
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
211 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
Economy
52% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
Climate
Year-round average of 27C — near-ideal temperatures
INFRASTRUCTURE
5,908 total POIs 3.3 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
433
Cafes
211
Bars
18
Fast Food
271
Shopping
Supermarkets
222
Convenience
59
Shopping Malls
90
Healthcare
Hospitals
100
Clinics
50
Pharmacies
82
Education
Schools
316
Universities
51
Libraries
16
Recreation
Parks
470
Playgrounds
82
Sports
383
Cinemas
11
Museums
10
Theatres
11
Transport
Bus Stops
278
Train Stations
75
Fuel Stations
329
Services
Banks
111
ATMs
115
Post Offices
26
Police
17
Fire Stations
12
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
211 Mbps
Download
85 Mbps
Upload
10ms
Latency
317,401
Tests
95,901
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Feb - Apr
18°
J
19°
F
23°
M
28°
A
32°
M
36°
J
37°
J
36°
A
32°
S
28°
O
23°
N
19°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 27.5 C Range: 17.5 - 37.4 C Rain: 51 mm/year Sunshine: 3,825 h/year
CITY SCORES
73.1
Nomad Index
C
Livability
37.5
Culture
49.2
Overall
COST OF LIVING
CIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
48.4
Overall
52% cheaper than NYC
25.5
Rent
75% cheaper than NYC
45.7
Groceries
54% cheaper than NYC
39.2
Restaurants
61% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
RUH
King Khalid International Airport
30 km from center
~54 min ride
FUN FACTS
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia.
It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the Riyadh Governorate.
Located on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa, the current form of the metropolis largely emerged in the 1950s as an offshoot of the 18th century walled town following the dismantling of its defensive fortifications.
It is the largest city on the Arabian Peninsula, and is situated in the center of the Nafud desert, on the eastern part of the Najd plateau.
The city sits at an average of 600 meters (2,000 ft) above sea level, and receives around 5 million tourists each year, making it the forty-ninth most visited city in the world and the 6th in the Middle East.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Riyadh known for?
Riyadh is a city in Saudi Arabia. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Riyadh?
Riyadh has an average download speed of 211 Mbps and upload speed of 85 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Riyadh?
Riyadh has an average year-round temperature of approximately 27.5 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Riyadh?
Riyadh is served by RUH (King Khalid International Airport), approximately 30 km from the city center.
What is the population of Riyadh?
The population of Riyadh is approximately 4.2M.
What infrastructure does Riyadh have?
Riyadh has 5,908 mapped points of interest, including 433 restaurants, 100 hospitals, 316 schools.
What country is Riyadh in?
Riyadh is located in Saudi Arabia.