At a glance
| Factor | Shanghai | Riyadh |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | RMB 220,000 to 320,000 (USD 30,000 to 44,000) | SAR 85,000 to 135,000 (USD 23,000 to 36,000) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, American, British, Chinese bilingual | British, American, IB growing, Saudi national |
| Cost of living vs Shanghai (Expatistan, 2026) | Baseline | About 25 to 35 percent lower, plus no income tax |
| Family visa | Z work visa with S1 or S2 family dependants | Saudi work visa with family iqama |
| Expat share of city | About 1.5 percent registered foreigners | About 38 percent expat population |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Shanghai has the deeper, more mature international school market, particularly at the IB Diploma end, with American, British and IB continuum schools that have been running for decades. Riyadh sits about 25 to 35 percent cheaper on cost of living and offers tax-free salaries, but the school market is still expanding and senior pathways are thinner outside two or three flagship British schools.
Schools landscape side by side
Shanghai's market includes Shanghai American School (Pudong and Puxi), Western International School Shanghai, NAIS Pudong, Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong, Wellington College International Shanghai, Concordia International School and Yew Chung International School. The top three or four schools tighten admission in Years 1, 6 and 12, where waiting lists of one to two terms are common.
Riyadh's bench is led by the British International School of Riyadh (BISR), the American International School Riyadh (AIS-R), Multinational School Riyadh, KAUST Schools (Thuwal), and the newer Misk Schools network backed by the Saudi government. KAUST and BISR run mature senior pathways; AIS-R is restricted to US-affiliated families. The Vision 2030 reforms have driven a wave of new openings, including Cranleigh Saudi Arabia and a Repton Riyadh announcement in the pipeline. See our Shanghai city guide and Riyadh city guide for live shortlists.
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
Shanghai American School publishes 2026 to 2027 fees of RMB 217,000 in lower elementary up to RMB 322,000 in high school (USD 30,000 to USD 44,000), plus a one-off capital fee of RMB 30,000. Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong runs RMB 220,000 to RMB 310,000 across the year groups. NAIS Pudong runs RMB 190,000 to RMB 295,000. Add 12 to 22 percent for bus, lunch, IB exam and capital levies.
BISR publishes 2025 to 2026 fees of SAR 64,000 in primary up to SAR 132,000 in Sixth Form (roughly USD 17,000 to USD 35,000). AIS-R is comparable at USD 21,000 to USD 33,000 for senior years. Misk Schools publishes broadly in line. Add SAR 8,000 to 15,000 for one-off registration and SAR 10,000 to 18,000 for transport. Most relocating families budget USD 25,000 to USD 38,000 per child all in. Use our school fees explorer for live comparisons.
Curriculum availability
Shanghai is dominated by IB and American curricula at the top end, with British IGCSE and A Level at NAIS, Dulwich and Wellington, and Chinese national curriculum at the local-mix schools. Riyadh is led by British IGCSE and A Level, with American AP at AIS-R, growing IB Diploma at Misk and KAUST, and the Saudi national curriculum at many private schools. For deep dives see the British curriculum hub, IB curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Shanghai, international school families cluster in Jinqiao and Kangqiao on the Pudong side (close to SAS Pudong, Dulwich, NAIS and Concordia), and in Hongqiao on the Puxi side (close to SAS Puxi and WISS). A 4-bedroom villa in Green Court or Yanlord runs RMB 35,000 to 65,000 per month. In Riyadh, families pick the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ), the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Al Olaya, and the new Diriyah Gate communities. A 4-bedroom compound villa runs SAR 18,000 to 35,000 per month, often including utilities and security.
Lifestyle and climate
Shanghai is a true global city with a four-season climate, exceptional food scene, dense cultural calendar, and excellent regional flight connections. Air quality has improved significantly since 2020 but still requires monitoring on bad days. Riyadh is hot and dry for nine months of the year, with summer peaks above 45 degrees Celsius, but family life is comfortable indoors and on compounds. The 2018 reforms unlocked cinemas, concerts, mixed-gender venues and a major entertainment calendar. The country remains dry (no alcohol) and family-focused.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Shanghai if academic depth, IB outcomes, food and culture matter more than disposable income, and you want your child to spend a decade in the world's most established expat school system. Choose Riyadh if maximum tax-free pay, larger family homes and a senior Gulf role matter more, and you are comfortable with a younger school market that is still maturing at senior level. Run both cities through the cost calculator to see the five-year delta, which typically runs USD 200,000 to USD 350,000 in Riyadh's favour once tax is included.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shanghai or Riyadh cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Riyadh is cheaper across both school fees and cost of living, with the additional benefit of zero income tax. Shanghai school fees alone are about 25 to 40 percent higher, and Shanghai's overall cost of living sits roughly one third above Riyadh.
Which city has better international schools?
Shanghai has the deeper IB and American bench with longer senior pathway track records. Riyadh's flagships (BISR, AIS-R, Misk, KAUST) are credible but younger; new openings under Vision 2030 are closing the gap fast.
Is the family visa easier in Shanghai or Riyadh?
Riyadh is administratively simpler for senior packages, where employers handle the iqama and family transfer. Shanghai's Z visa is straightforward for skilled professionals but requires apostilled documents and a health check.
Are alcohol and lifestyle restrictions a deal-breaker in Riyadh?
It depends. Saudi Arabia is fully dry and modest dress codes apply for women in public, although enforcement has relaxed since 2019. Many families adapt within weeks; others find the absence of casual dining culture and beach lifestyle harder than expected.
Where do most international families live in each city?
Shanghai families cluster in Jinqiao and Kangqiao (Pudong) and Hongqiao (Puxi). Riyadh families pick the Diplomatic Quarter, Al Olaya, KAFD and the new Diriyah neighbourhoods.
