Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 6% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,113 prices entered by 253 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 | Dirham 48 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 | Dirham 36 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 | Dirham 19 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 | Dirham 5.29 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 16 | Dirham 13 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.27 | Dirham 7 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 | Dirham 30 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 7 | Dirham 11 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.04 | Dirham 4.58 | - 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 | Dirham 11 | + 26% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 | Dirham 52 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 | Dirham 9 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.02 | Dirham 4.32 | - 7% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,334 | Dirham 11,443 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,323 | Dirham 7,963 | - 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 730 | Dirham 989 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,583 | Dirham 5,997 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,165 | Dirham 3,669 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 515 | Dirham 558 | - 8% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 358 | Dirham 184 | + 95% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,231 | Dirham 1,419 | - 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 339 | Dirham 338 | + 0% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 42 | Dirham 50 | - 17% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 45 | Dirham 51 | - 12% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 23% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 231 | Dirham 243 | - 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 208 | Dirham 277 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 343 | Dirham 460 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 328 | Dirham 465 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | + 91% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 91% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,044 | Dirham 104,094 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.36 | Dirham 3.29 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 295 | Dirham 82 | + 261% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 38 | Dirham 39 | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 22% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 | Dirham 14 | + 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 41 | Dirham 56 | - 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 274 | Dirham 382 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 20 | Dirham 26 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 18 | Dirham 20 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 | Dirham 27 | - 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 | Dirham 20 | - 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 | Dirham 20 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 43 | Dirham 63 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | - 20% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 20% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 185 | Dirham 188 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 99 | Dirham 121 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 412 | Dirham 783 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 293 | Dirham 470 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 94 | Dirham 64 | + 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 | Dirham 23 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 | Dirham 38 | + 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,058 | Dirham 2,128 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.49 | Dirham 1.28 | - 62% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 331 | Dirham 317 | + 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 | Dirham 21 | - 8% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 6% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,113 prices entered by 253 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
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For example, you would need at least Dirham 32,727 in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Dirham 31,000 in Abu Dhabi.
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