Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 109% more expensive than in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 345 prices entered by 37 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 65% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 65% more expensive than in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Petaling Jaya | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 36 (RM46) | RM17 | + 180% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 (RM39) | RM16 | + 141% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (RM19) | RM10 | + 92% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (RM8) | RM7 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (RM16) | RM12 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.07 (RM6) | RM4.87 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 15 (RM19) | RM26 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (RM10) | RM8 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.79 (RM4.85) | RM4.72 | + 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (RM13) | RM11 | + 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 62 (RM80) | RM64 | + 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (RM10) | RM3.38 | + 190% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.61 (RM5.91) | RM3.96 | + 49% | |
| Housing | + 275% | |||
| Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 275% more expensive than in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Petaling Jaya | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 10,772 (RM13,805) | RM3,094 | + 346% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 8,005 (RM10,259) | RM1,858 | + 452% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 795 (RM1,018) | RM303 | + 236% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,108 (RM7,827) | RM2,385 | + 228% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,322 (RM5,539) | RM1,485 | + 273% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 510 (RM654) | RM158 | + 315% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 353 (RM452) | RM122 | + 269% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,270 (RM1,628) | RM1,309 | + 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 319 (RM408) | RM456 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 (RM52) | RM18 | + 197% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 35 (RM44) | RM26 | + 73% | |
| Clothes | + 56% | |||
| Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 56% more expensive than in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Petaling Jaya | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 198 (RM254) | RM239 | + 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 184 (RM236) | RM129 | + 83% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 344 (RM441) | RM279 | + 58% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 350 (RM449) | RM292 | + 54% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Petaling Jaya | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 87,999 (RM112,774) | RM160,496 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.46 (RM4.44) | RM1.98 | + 124% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 79 (RM101) | RM95 | + 6% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 29 (RM37) | RM19 | + 94% | |
| Personal Care | + 180% | |||
| Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 180% more expensive than in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Petaling Jaya | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 17 (RM22) | RM14 | + 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 47 (RM60) | RM22 | + 177% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 (RM422) | RM60 | + 605% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (RM31) | RM23 | + 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (RM24) | RM12 | + 98% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 24 (RM30) | RM15 | + 108% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 15 (RM20) | RM4.69 | + 320% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (RM17) | RM6 | + 167% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 63 (RM81) | RM38 | + 114% | |
| Entertainment | + 130% | |||
| Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 130% more expensive than in Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Petaling Jaya | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 204 (RM262) | RM75 | + 250% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 91 (RM117) | RM33 | + 258% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 759 (RM973) | RM273 | + 256% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 272 (RM348) | RM152 | + 129% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 71 (RM91) | RM35 | + 158% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 (RM26) | RM15 | + 68% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (RM52) | RM18 | + 184% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,834 (RM2,350) | RM2,097 | + 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.70 (RM0.89) | RM0.34 | + 160% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 266 (RM340) | RM184 | + 85% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (RM28) | RM17 | + 65% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 109% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 345 prices entered by 37 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.282
MYR
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least RM19,630 (Dirham 15,318) in Abu Dhabi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM9,400 in Petaling Jaya.
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