RIYADH: The opening of the Riyadh Metro has transformed the Saudi capital’s housing market, with villa prices near stations jumping as much as 78 percent since 2023, according to a new report.
An analysis by Knight Frank found that apartment prices increase by about SR96 ($25.60) per sq. meter for every 500 meters closer to a metro station.
The report, titled “The Value of Access: Measuring the Impact of Riyadh Metro on Real Estate,” underscores how improved transport connectivity is fueling demand in a city undergoing rapid transformation under Vision 2030.
The findings come as the metro network marked a major milestone — carrying 100 million passengers in August — since its launch in December. Designed to serve 3.6 million daily commuters, the Riyadh Metro operates a six-line network that connects business districts, residential communities, and cultural landmarks.
Faisal Durrani, head of research, Knight Frank for the Middle East and North Africa region, said: “Designed to generate change rather than react to it, the system will reshape residential patterns, business locations and the lived experience of the city’s residents.”
