Cost of living in Washington D.C. (United States) is 42% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 815 prices entered by 142 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 78% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Washington D.C. (United States) is 78% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 (Dirham 84) | Dirham 45 | + 85% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (Dirham 46) | Dirham 34 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 17 | + 73% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.13 (Dirham 4.13) | Dirham 7 | - 37% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.91 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 13 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 6 | + 257% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $11 (Dirham 41) | Dirham 17 | + 136% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.61 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 9 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.51 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 4.56 | + 102% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $5.20 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 9 | + 115% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (Dirham 62) | Dirham 58 | + 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.36 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 7 | + 66% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.12 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 5.13 | + 124% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in Washington D.C. (United States) is 17% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,190 (Dirham 15,386) | Dirham 14,523 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,969 (Dirham 10,903) | Dirham 9,139 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $234 (Dirham 859) | Dirham 829 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,981 (Dirham 10,948) | Dirham 8,201 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,995 (Dirham 7,328) | Dirham 5,341 | + 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $141 (Dirham 517) | Dirham 622 | - 17% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $68 (Dirham 248) | Dirham 336 | - 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $447 (Dirham 1,640) | Dirham 770 | + 113% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $133 (Dirham 488) | Dirham 296 | + 65% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (Dirham 47) | Dirham 41 | + 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (Dirham 147) | Dirham 32 | + 355% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in Washington D.C. (United States) is 18% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 (Dirham 263) | Dirham 251 | + 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $73 (Dirham 266) | Dirham 220 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $127 (Dirham 465) | Dirham 399 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $154 (Dirham 566) | Dirham 408 | + 39% | |
| Transportation | + 58% | |||
| Transportation in Washington D.C. (United States) is 58% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,652 (Dirham 108,897) | Dirham 92,536 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.88 (Dirham 3.23) | Dirham 2.86 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $138 (Dirham 508) | Dirham 303 | + 68% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $22 (Dirham 81) | Dirham 37 | + 120% | |
| Personal Care | + 66% | |||
| Personal Care in Washington D.C. (United States) is 66% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 25 | + 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (Dirham 50) | Dirham 38 | + 34% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $197 (Dirham 723) | Dirham 284 | + 154% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 21 | + 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.85 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 19 | - 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.79 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 21 | - 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.36 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 10 | + 105% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.56 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 13 | - 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $43 (Dirham 158) | Dirham 40 | + 292% | |
| Entertainment | + 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Washington D.C. (United States) is 54% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (Dirham 223) | Dirham 147 | + 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $31 (Dirham 115) | Dirham 98 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $458 (Dirham 1,684) | Dirham 283 | + 494% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $138 (Dirham 508) | Dirham 275 | + 85% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 (Dirham 63) | Dirham 75 | - 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.71 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 22 | - 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $10 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 45 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $524 (Dirham 1,925) | Dirham 1,999 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.40 (Dirham 1.49) | Dirham 0.56 | + 165% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $108 (Dirham 398) | Dirham 320 | + 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 (Dirham 48) | Dirham 22 | + 115% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 42% | ||
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3.672
AED
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 815 prices entered by 142 different people.
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