Take a closer look at the insights in The Saudi Report 2025
In The Saudi Report 2025, in partnership with YouGov, we polled 1,037 participants, including 835 Saudi nationals with a monthly income ranging from SAR 10,000 to SAR 50,000, representing the largest segment of the respondents, 102 Saudi nationals earning over SAR 50,000 per month, representing a higher income bracket within the local population, and, 100 expatriates, each with a monthly income of SAR 30,000 or more. We surveyed respondents from Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Dammam and Madinah and other to get a diverse representation of behaviours and trends.
The majority of Saudi nationals own the property they live in, with homeownership rates varying by income level: 44% among those earning up to SAR 30,000, 55% among middle-income earners (SAR 30,000–50,000), and 68% among higher-income earners (SAR 50,000+). Despite already owning homes, many are looking to purchase new properties, as 42% of homeowners plan to buy or move in 2025.
When inquired about their desired home type to purchase, both Saudi nationals and Saudi-based expats indicated villas to be the most preferred property type, at 54%, followed by apartments at 30% with townhouses being the least preferred, at 16%.
The highest level of interest in home ownership in the giga projects sits among Saudi nationals on monthly incomes in excess of SAR 50,000 (93%), while around half (54%) of Saudi-based expats want to buy property for personal use in any of the giga projects.
Exploring the appetite for home ownership in giga projects among our respondents, irrespective of income profiles, both Saudi nationals and expats are eager to own a home in US$ 500 billion super-city of NEOM, at 16%, followed by Jeddah central and ROSHN, both at 9%.
‘Financing plans offered by local banks’ was listed by both Saudi nationals and Saudi-based expats as the most attractive reason to purchase a branded residence, at 39%. The lack of branded property types and sizes was cited as the second most important factor by potential buyers that needs to be addressed to make the sector more attractive (38%).
Source: Knight Frank, YouGov. Created in Flourish