Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 18% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Karlsruhe or in Abu Dhabi? You can help!
Improve the prices for Karlsruhe! Improve the prices for Abu Dhabi!

This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 159 prices entered by 30 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
Food | + 12% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 12% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 56 (€15) | €16 | - 9% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 33 (€9) | €9 | - 6% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 22 (€5.73) | €6 | - 5% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.70) | €1.32 | + 29% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€3.37) | €3.92 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.79 (€1.51) | €2.34 | - 35% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 25 (€6) | €5.55 | + 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 10 (€2.72) | - | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.42 (€1.16) | €1.47 | - 21% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 11 (€2.93) | €0.75 | + 290% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 84 (€22) | €9 | + 156% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 10 (€2.55) | €1.80 | + 42% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 6 (€1.66) | €1.46 | + 14% | |
Housing | + 60% | |||
Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 60% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 11,119 (€2,906) | €1,550 | + 88% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,226 (€1,888) | €1,025 | + 84% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 671 (€175) | €225 | - 22% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,537 (€1,447) | €833 | + 74% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,757 (€982) | €656 | + 50% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 349 (€91) | €121 | - 24% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 224 (€58) | €28 | + 110% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,196 (€313) | €426 | - 27% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 332 (€87) | €106 | - 18% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 47 (€12) | €6 | + 103% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 (€10) | €15 | - 38% | |
Clothes | + 13% | |||
Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 13% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 198 (€52) | €95 | - 45% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 238 (€62) | €38 | + 65% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 551 (€144) | €90 | + 60% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 547 (€143) | €110 | + 30% | |
Transportation | - 46% | |||
Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 46% cheaper than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 125,266 (€32,735) | €20,272 | + 61% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.99 (€0.78) | €1.79 | - 56% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 72 (€19) | €55 | - 66% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 25 (€6) | €21 | - 69% | |
Personal Care | + 20% | |||
Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 20% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 (€4.61) | - | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 45 (€12) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 (€86) | €115 | - 25% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 27 (€7) | - | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (€5.08) | €2.15 | + 136% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (€4.82) | €3.71 | + 30% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 18 (€4.64) | €1.74 | + 167% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 18 (€4.72) | €2.11 | + 124% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 62 (€16) | €17 | - 2% | |
Entertainment | + 75% | |||
Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 75% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 227 (€59) | €35 | + 67% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (€25) | €21 | + 18% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 843 (€220) | €84 | + 161% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 523 (€137) | €92 | + 49% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 77 (€20) | €9 | + 112% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 26 (€7) | €3.89 | + 72% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 38 (€10) | €3.23 | + 208% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,834 (€479) | €440 | + 9% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.09 (€0.28) | €0.10 | + 186% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 408 (€107) | €50 | + 113% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (€4.62) | €7 | - 32% | |
![]() |
TOTAL | + 18% |

These prices were last updated on February 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.26132
EUR
/
AED
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in London is 99% more expensive than in Tokyo
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 5% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 25% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 89% more expensive than in Provo, Utah
- Cost of living in New York City is 197% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Munich is 27% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Tokyo is 6% cheaper than in Provo, Utah
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 19% more expensive than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 18% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least €5,061 (Dirham 19,367) in Abu Dhabi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €4,300 in Karlsruhe.
Do you live in Karlsruhe? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Nantes (France)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dortmund (Germany)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Gijón (Spain)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Essen (Germany)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Corunna (Spain)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ghent (Belgium)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Vilnius (Lithuania)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Athens (Greece)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Toronto costs C$35 (12 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Richards Bay costs R 65 (31 minutes ago)
- 2 liters of whole fat milk in Canberra costs AU$1.50 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) in Tashkent costs 1,000 сўм (about 3 hours ago)
- Cocktail drink in downtown club in Brisbane costs AU$20 (about 5 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Macao costs 22,000 Pataca (about 5 hours ago)