Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 83% more expensive than in Suzhou (China)
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 Suzhou or in Dubai? You can help!
Improve the prices for Suzhou! Improve the prices for Dubai!

This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 865 prices entered by 229 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
Food | + 28% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 28% more expensive than in Suzhou (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Suzhou | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 51 (95元) | 51元 | + 85% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (55元) | 37元 | + 52% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (28元) | 17元 | + 64% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (13元) | 18元 | - 27% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (29元) | 20元 | + 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.18 (10元) | 9元 | + 9% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (42元) | 57元 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 7 (14元) | 15元 | - 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.95 (7元) | 8元 | - 4% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 (27元) | 7元 | + 313% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (111元) | 152元 | - 27% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (16元) | 11元 | + 44% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.00 (8元) | 13元 | - 41% | |
Housing | + 165% | |||
Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 165% more expensive than in Suzhou (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Suzhou | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,799 (16,492元) | 6,533元 | + 152% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,282 (11,774元) | 3,169元 | + 272% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 728 (1,365元) | 404元 | + 238% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,234 (9,811元) | 5,523元 | + 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,249 (6,089元) | 2,549元 | + 139% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 517 (969元) | 209元 | + 364% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 340 (637元) | 133元 | + 379% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,343 (2,518元) | 3,116元 | - 19% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 339 (636元) | 723元 | - 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (80元) | 36元 | + 122% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 45 (84元) | 36元 | + 137% | |
Clothes | + 25% | |||
Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 25% more expensive than in Suzhou (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Suzhou | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 243 (455元) | 445元 | + 2% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 202 (378元) | 249元 | + 52% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 333 (624元) | 646元 | - 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 365 (683元) | 746元 | - 8% | |
Transportation | + 152% | |||
Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 152% more expensive than in Suzhou (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Suzhou | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,044 (176,273元) | 151,549元 | + 16% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.54 (7元) | 8元 | - 15% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 295 (554元) | 98元 | + 462% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 41 (77元) | 30元 | + 157% | |
Personal Care | - 1% | |||
Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Suzhou (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Suzhou | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 (47元) | 80元 | - 41% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 41 (76元) | 47元 | + 61% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 283 (530元) | 508元 | + 4% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 20 (38元) | 73元 | - 49% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (33元) | 49元 | - 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (37元) | 38元 | - 3% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (21元) | 10元 | + 102% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (29元) | 14元 | + 103% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 45 (85元) | 67元 | + 27% | |
Entertainment | + 50% | |||
Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 50% more expensive than in Suzhou (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Suzhou | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 193 (361元) | 176元 | + 105% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 101 (189元) | 108元 | + 75% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 292 (547元) | 1,056元 | - 48% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 313 (588元) | 481元 | + 22% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 94 (176元) | 71元 | + 147% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (44元) | 34元 | + 29% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (85元) | 36元 | + 132% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,162 (4,052元) | 4,290元 | - 6% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.49 (0.91元) | 0.77元 | + 19% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 345 (647元) | 228元 | + 184% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (36元) | 50元 | - 29% | |
![]() |
TOTAL | + 83% |

These prices were last updated on March 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.874
CNY
/
AED
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Dubai is 208% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in New York City is 22% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Barcelona is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 54% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Bangkok is 86% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Barcelona is 23% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in London is 26% more expensive than in Paris
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 51% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Helsinki is 28% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Dubai is 25% cheaper than in London
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least 33,030元 (Dirham 17,622) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 18,000元 in Suzhou.
Do you live in Suzhou? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Prague (Czech Republic)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Belgrade (Serbia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Doha (Qatar)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Shenzhen (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Hefei (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Amman (Jordan)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Prices recently added
- Taxi fare per distance, weekday at noon, per 1 km. in Bhopal costs ₨30 (11 minutes ago)
- Utilities (studio), monthly for 1 person in 45 m2 in Guanare costs $100 (12 minutes ago)
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality in Montreal costs C$18 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Panama City costs 5.50 B/. (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in Düsseldorf costs €1.55 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Zapopan costs Mex$ 150 (about 2 hours ago)