Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 8% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,039 prices entered by 252 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 7% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 33 | Dirham 48 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 | Dirham 30 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 | Dirham 15 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 | Dirham 6 | + 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 | Dirham 14 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.31 | Dirham 4.53 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 15 | Dirham 27 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 | Dirham 7 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.77 | Dirham 3.89 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 | Dirham 11 | - 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 60 | Dirham 59 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 | Dirham 8 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.72 | Dirham 3.91 | + 21% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 27% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 10,437 | Dirham 7,525 | + 39% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,961 | Dirham 4,295 | + 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 870 | Dirham 743 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,069 | Dirham 5,494 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,310 | Dirham 3,319 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 558 | Dirham 557 | + 0% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 360 | Dirham 299 | + 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,533 | Dirham 1,059 | + 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 338 | Dirham 359 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 50 | Dirham 41 | + 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 | Dirham 36 | - 7% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 5% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 197 | Dirham 223 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 194 | Dirham 213 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 343 | Dirham 279 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 348 | Dirham 340 | + 3% | |
| Transportation | - 54% | |||
| Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 54% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 89,840 | Dirham 113,480 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.82 | Dirham 3.57 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 80 | Dirham 295 | - 73% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 29 | Dirham 43 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | + 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 31% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 14 | Dirham 25 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 56 | Dirham 41 | + 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 382 | Dirham 300 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 | Dirham 20 | + 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 20 | Dirham 16 | + 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 27 | Dirham 20 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 20 | Dirham 11 | + 73% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 20 | Dirham 13 | + 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 62 | Dirham 42 | + 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 214 | Dirham 193 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 91 | Dirham 105 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 783 | Dirham 292 | + 168% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 268 | Dirham 313 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 69 | Dirham 94 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 19 | Dirham 23 | - 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 | Dirham 45 | - 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,128 | Dirham 2,162 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 | Dirham 0.49 | + 46% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 255 | Dirham 337 | - 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 | Dirham 18 | + 19% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 8% | ||
These prices were last updated on June 04, 2023.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,039 prices entered by 252 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
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