Apartments for Rent in Riyadh for SAR 20,000: A Quiet Reimagining of City Living

Discover affordable studio and 1-bedroom apartments for rent in Riyadh under SAR 20,000/year. Budget-friendly, modern, and central.

Understanding the Riyadh Rental Landscape in 2025

Sometimes, it’s not about grandeur. It’s about knowing how the light settles on your wall at 7:13 a.m., about the predictable hum of life beyond your window. In Riyadh—a city draped in the warm folds of movement and ambition—finding that kind of stillness starts with choosing the right space. With a budget of SAR 20,000 annually, you’re not chasing fantasy. You’re searching for enough. And, quietly, Riyadh might be willing to give you just that.

This is a guide to apartments that don’t shout for attention. Spaces that offer more than walls. That offers beginning points, endpoints, silence, and closeness. Here's how to rent an apartment in Riyadh without sacrificing comfort or clarity—with a focus on the city's underrated gems.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a city like Riyadh—its structure, scale, and the velocity at which it grows. But housing? That’s something you can tame.

For SAR 20,000 a year (approximately SAR 1,666 a month), you're sitting just above the edge of budget housing and brushing up against understated elegance. In this sweet middle, you’ll discover studio apartments, cozy one-bedroom apartments, and perhaps even a few understated luxury apartments on the outskirts of well-known neighborhoods.

For those seeking a curated list, Wasalt keeps a dynamic directory of apartments segmented by budget, including this exact bracket.

Hitting the SAR 20,000 Sweet Spot

It’s not just a number. It’s a philosophy: practical, dignified, and enough.

What You Can Expect:

• A studio apartment for rent in Riyadh in central or near-central locations
• Decent one-bedroom apartments for rent in Riyadh in residential zones
• Occasionally, compact luxury apartments—perhaps not extravagant, but clean, efficient, and new
• Access to local supermarkets, schools, and transport without exhausting commutes

Here’s a shortlist from Wasalt:

• Apartments in Riyadh for SAR 15,000
• Apartments in Riyadh for SAR 10,000
• Apartments in Riyadh for SAR 5,000

Sometimes, it's worth scanning beneath your budget for hidden value.

The Quiet Efficiency of Studio Apartments

Studio apartments are the city’s smallest love letter. Everything you need in a single frame. No wasted space. No overthinking.

Best For:

• Solo tenants (students, interns, remote workers)
• Temporary residents
• First-time renters in Riyadh

Perks:

• Minimal upkeep
• Affordability
• Often include modern fixtures or renovations

You might be surprised how many are available well within your budget. A studio apartment for rent in Riyadh could cost as little as SAR 1,200/month, and occasionally less.

Exploring One Bedroom Apartments

The next logical step. If studio apartments are chapters, one-bedroom apartments are short novels.

You get a separate sleeping area, maybe a bigger kitchenette, and space to entertain—if your life includes people who stick around for mint tea and almond dates.

Why One Bedroom?

• More privacy
• Better zoning for work-from-home
• Feels more like a home than a holdover

Start your search here:
 Explore 1 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Riyadh

What About Luxury Apartments?

It’s a tempting phrase: luxury apartments. But under SAR 20,000?

Yes—if you redefine “luxury” not as extravagance, but as serenity. Some newer builds on the edge of Riyadh offer sleek designs, clean layouts, and quiet neighborhoods. These aren’t penthouses. But they’re polished. Peaceful. Enough.

You Might Find:

• Minimalist new builds with tiled floors
• In-building security
• Small balconies and private parking
• Rooftop access or shared lounges

Digging Deeper: Ultra-Budget Options That Surprise

Let’s not pretend the search doesn’t sometimes lean toward desperation. If SAR 20,000 is already a stretch, these micro-budget options might help you find your footing first:

• Apartment for rent under 1000 riyal monthly – Usually older buildings, more remote. Often includes water/electric.
• Apartment for rent under 500 riyal monthly – Rare but not mythical. Think shared housing or one-room units on Riyadh’s periphery.
• Apartment for rent under 1500 riyal monthly – A good middle ground. Decent options in fringe neighborhoods or unfurnished units.

Start with this Wasalt listing and use filters to push your budget lower.

Choosing a Neighborhood

Let’s be honest: not all areas offer the same sense of belonging. Riyadh's neighborhoods carry different energies, and when you're renting, you’re choosing more than four walls—you’re choosing a daily rhythm.

Affordable Yet Accessible Areas:

• Al Malaz – Affordable, diverse, family-oriented
• Al Naseem – Closer to industrial areas, budget-friendly
• Al Rawdah – More schools, more green, slightly pricier
• Al Sulaymaniyah (on a lucky day) – If you catch a deal, you’ve won the rental lottery

You’ll find that a rented apartment in Riyadh doesn’t have to mean giving up on aesthetics. Sometimes the edges of the map hold the most unexpected beauty.

How to Make a Budget Apartment Feel Like Home?

Because the rent might be low, but the emotional weight of a space? That’s priceless.

Tip-list:

• Use soft light. One warm lamp can change the energy of a room.
• Keep one plant alive—just one.
• Stack books like furniture.
• Don’t underestimate the effect of clean sheets and silence.

Links to Bookmark

Let’s ground this in something practical. You’re probably going to skim the rest. That’s okay. Bookmark these. Revisit when the moment feels right.

• All Apartments for Rent in Riyadh
• Riyadh Apartments under SAR 15,000
• Riyadh Apartments under SAR 10,000
• Riyadh Apartments under SAR 5,000
• 1 Bedroom Apartments for Rent in Riyadh

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find a furnished studio apartment for rent in Riyadh within SAR 20,000/year?

Yes. Many furnished studio apartments are available within that range, particularly in Al Naseem or Al Malaz. These often come with basic furniture and are ideal for solo renters.

Are there any 1-bedroom apartments for rent in Riyadh for under SAR 2,000/month?

Absolutely. Check out Wasalt’s listings where several one-bedroom apartments fall below this mark, especially in mid-range neighborhoods.

What’s the difference between a luxury apartment and a normal unit at this price point? 

Luxury apartments may include newer finishes, security, elevators, or building amenities in this price range. Regular units might lack those features but still be well-located and clean.

How can I find an apartment for rent under 1000 riyal monthly or even under 500?

These listings are rare but not impossible. Check Wasalt’s budget filters and consider shared housing or peripheral areas. Set alerts to get notified quickly.