At a glance
| Factor | London | Riyadh |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | GBP 28,000 to 45,000 (USD 35,000 to 56,000) including VAT | SAR 75,000 to 135,000 (USD 20,000 to 36,000) |
| Dominant curricula | British (national and IB), American | British, American, IB, Indian CBSE |
| Cost of living vs London (Numbeo, May 2026) | Baseline | About 33 percent lower |
| Family visa | Skilled Worker or Global Talent with dependant visa | Employer iqama with family iqama |
| Expat share of population | About 37 percent (foreign-born) | About 38 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
London is the world's deepest education market and now also one of the most expensive after VAT was added to private school fees in January 2025. Riyadh is in the middle of a school-building boom under Vision 2030, with growing British, American and IB choice at materially lower headline fees. Tax-free pay in Riyadh is the offset against London's cultural depth and university pipeline.
Schools landscape side by side
London has the widest international school choice of any city on earth. The schools that international families gravitate to are ACS International Schools Cobham and Hillingdon, the American School in London (ASL), Southbank International, Marymount International, the International School of London, the International Community School and ICS London. Several premium British independents (Westminster, King's College Wimbledon, Sevenoaks for boarders) now offer the IB Diploma alongside A Levels. Capacity is tight at ASL and Marymount for Year 7 and Year 12 entries.
Riyadh's market is smaller but growing rapidly. The schools that dominate shortlists are the British International School of Riyadh (BISR), the American International School Riyadh (AISR), the Multinational School Riyadh, the Olaya International School and the Kingdom Schools International stream. KAUST and Misk Schools are options outside the city itself. BISR and AISR dominate the expat intake. Capacity is reasonable but the new Vision 2030 corporate intake is filling Year 1 and Year 6 places fast.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
London's effective fees rose sharply in January 2025 when the UK government added 20 percent VAT to most private school tuition. ASL publishes 2026 fees at about GBP 40,900 for Grades 9 to 12 plus a non-refundable application fee. ACS Cobham and ACS Hillingdon range from about GBP 23,000 at early years to GBP 36,500 at the IB Diploma, with boarding adding GBP 15,000 to 20,000. Southbank, ICS and Marymount sit in similar bands. Plan for capital fees of GBP 2,000 to 5,000 on entry.
Riyadh is materially cheaper before tax. BISR publishes 2026 primary fees of roughly SAR 60,000 to 90,000 and senior fees of SAR 85,000 to 135,000 (about USD 20,000 to 36,000). AISR is broadly similar. Add registration of SAR 8,000 to 15,000, plus transport and exam entries. Use the cost calculator to model a five year all-in number per child.
Curriculum availability
London is the global home of A Levels but now hosts IB at a growing number of independents and at every American international school. American provision is concentrated at ASL and ACS. Riyadh tilts British and American by school count, with IB available at AISR and Multinational. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential in either city for families on rotation, while A Levels are the strongest fit for families who want UK university applications.
For curriculum-specific deep dives see the IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In London, international school families cluster in St John's Wood and Hampstead for ASL, Kensington and Notting Hill for Southbank, Wimbledon for Marymount, and Cobham, Esher and Hillingdon for ACS day and boarding. A four-bedroom family home in Cobham runs GBP 4,000 to 7,000 per month, while a comparable Hampstead townhouse is two to three times that.
In Riyadh, expat families pick the Diplomatic Quarter, Al Olaya, Al Sulaimaniyah and the new King Abdullah Financial District. BISR and the British School draw heavily from the Diplomatic Quarter and Al Sulaimaniyah. AISR catchments centre on Al Olaya. A four-bedroom villa with garden in the Diplomatic Quarter runs SAR 18,000 to 35,000 per month, with new compounds north of the city offering more space at lower cost.
Lifestyle and climate
London is mild oceanic, with cold wet winters around 5 degrees Celsius and warm summers around 22 degrees Celsius. Family life is parks, museums and Premier League sport, with easy weekend trains to Paris and Brussels. London is safer than its global reputation but petty crime in central zones is a real consideration. Riyadh is desert hot, with summer peaks above 45 degrees Celsius that push family life indoors from May to September. Winter from November to March is the reward, with outdoor sport and weekend desert trips. Riyadh is family-conservative but rapidly opening up under Vision 2030, with new entertainment districts and a much expanded cinema and concert scene.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose London if you want the world's deepest school market, A Levels and IB depth, easy access to UK universities and a culturally rich family environment. It also suits families who can absorb the post-VAT fee increases and London housing costs.
Choose Riyadh if tax-free pay, lower headline fees, a fast-growing corporate market under Vision 2030 and a rapidly modernising family environment matter. It is the stronger city for families with younger children who prioritise compound living, gardens and large campuses at value-tier fees.
Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator before they commit. The five year all-in delta between similar schools and similar housing, before factoring in tax, is usually USD 120,000 to 200,000 in Riyadh's favour.
Frequently asked questions
Is London or Riyadh cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Riyadh is meaningfully cheaper across school fees, housing and disposable spending. London costs around 33 percent more on cost of living and roughly 30 to 50 percent more on like-for-like school fees once UK VAT is included.
Which city has better international schools?
London has the deeper and broader market, led by ASL, ACS, Southbank, ICS and Marymount, plus IB-strong UK independents. Riyadh has a smaller but rapidly improving market led by BISR and AISR. Best fit depends on whether you want depth or value with tax-free salary.
Is the family visa easier in London or Riyadh?
Both are reliable for corporate moves. The UK Skilled Worker and Global Talent routes include dependants and lead to settlement after five years. Saudi Arabia's employer iqama with family iqama is straightforward but tied to a single sponsor and harder to transfer between employers.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
London's premium international schools often return decisions in four to eight weeks, with longer queues at ASL and Marymount for Year 7 and Year 12. Riyadh's BISR and AISR typically respond in four to eight weeks, with new Vision 2030 corporate intake tightening Year 1 and Year 6 places.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
London families cluster in St John's Wood, Hampstead, Kensington, Wimbledon and Cobham. Riyadh families pick the Diplomatic Quarter, Al Olaya, Al Sulaimaniyah and the new financial district depending on the school they target.
