Cost of living in London (United Kingdom) is 44% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,725 prices entered by 335 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 7% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in London (United Kingdom) is 7% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
London | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £16 (Dirham 74) | Dirham 57 | + 30% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 35 | - 3% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.92 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 19 | - 6% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.11 (Dirham 5.04) | Dirham 6 | - 19% | |
12 eggs, large | £4.01 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 13 | + 41% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.02 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 5.94 | + 55% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.28 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 32 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £2.00 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 8 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.79 (Dirham 3.61) | Dirham 4.53 | - 20% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.83 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 14 | - 39% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £10 (Dirham 47) | Dirham 60 | - 23% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | £2.28 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 8 | + 31% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.28 (Dirham 5.85) | Dirham 4.99 | + 17% | |
Housing | + 48% | |||
Housing in London (United Kingdom) is 48% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
London | Dubai | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £4,323 (Dirham 19,692) | Dirham 11,332 | + 74% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £3,529 (Dirham 16,074) | Dirham 6,953 | + 131% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £165 (Dirham 753) | Dirham 883 | - 15% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £2,875 (Dirham 13,094) | Dirham 7,835 | + 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,733 (Dirham 7,892) | Dirham 5,332 | + 48% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £136 (Dirham 618) | Dirham 592 | + 4% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £28 (Dirham 130) | Dirham 258 | - 50% | |
40” flat screen tv | £255 (Dirham 1,163) | Dirham 767 | + 52% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £103 (Dirham 468) | Dirham 316 | + 48% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £4.87 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 50 | - 55% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | £13 (Dirham 61) | Dirham 39 | + 58% | |
Clothes | + 10% | |||
Clothes in London (United Kingdom) is 10% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
London | Dubai | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £76 (Dirham 346) | Dirham 241 | + 43% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £36 (Dirham 162) | Dirham 183 | - 12% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £86 (Dirham 390) | Dirham 397 | - 2% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £97 (Dirham 442) | Dirham 358 | + 23% | |
Transportation | + 90% | |||
Transportation in London (United Kingdom) is 90% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
London | Dubai | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £28,424 (Dirham 129,463) | Dirham 90,533 | + 43% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.46 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 2.85 | + 133% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | £173 (Dirham 788) | Dirham 404 | + 95% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £21 (Dirham 97) | Dirham 55 | + 75% | |
Personal Care | - 22% | |||
Personal Care in London (United Kingdom) is 22% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
London | Dubai | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £2.22 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 24 | - 57% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £7 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 38 | - 20% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £55 (Dirham 250) | Dirham 322 | - 22% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.62 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 23 | - 27% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £2.03 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 16 | - 43% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £5.04 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 22 | + 7% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.13 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 11 | - 13% | |
Tube of toothpaste | £2.06 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 14 | - 31% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £15 (Dirham 69) | Dirham 42 | + 64% | |
Entertainment | + 1% | |||
Entertainment in London (United Kingdom) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
London | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £40 (Dirham 183) | Dirham 153 | + 19% | |
2 tickets to the movies | £26 (Dirham 120) | Dirham 87 | + 38% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £117 (Dirham 533) | Dirham 625 | - 15% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £77 (Dirham 352) | Dirham 306 | + 15% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £13 (Dirham 58) | Dirham 79 | - 27% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.62 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 26 | - 37% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £7 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 43 | - 25% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £410 (Dirham 1,868) | Dirham 1,998 | - 7% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.11 (Dirham 0.49) | Dirham 0.61 | - 18% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | £46 (Dirham 211) | Dirham 331 | - 36% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £15 (Dirham 69) | Dirham 18 | + 277% | |
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TOTAL | + 44% |

These prices were last updated on February 10, 2025.
Exchange rate:
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For example, you would need at least Dirham 50,275 (£11,038) in London to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Dirham 35,000 in Dubai.
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