The cost of living index in Saudi Arabia rose by 5.3 percent this year compared to last year, the Saudi Press Agency reported , quoting a statement of the General Statistics Department. \"The cost of living in September 2011 rose by 5.3 percent compared to September 2010,\" the report said while attributing the increase to rise in prices in seven major categories. During the same period, the goods and services sector rose by 11.8 percent, the rents, fuel and water sector by 7.9 percent, food and drinks 4.9 percent, and transport and communications 2.0 percent.