Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 57% more expensive than in Taichung City (Taiwan)
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Food | - 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Taichung City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Taichung City | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 51 (420 NT$) | 225 NT$ | + 87% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (246 NT$) | 129 NT$ | + 91% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (125 NT$) | 100 NT$ | + 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (57 NT$) | 87 NT$ | - 35% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (127 NT$) | 89 NT$ | + 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.18 (43 NT$) | 209 NT$ | - 79% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (187 NT$) | 172 NT$ | + 8% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 7 (61 NT$) | 156 NT$ | - 61% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.95 (33 NT$) | 185 NT$ | - 82% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 (119 NT$) | 65 NT$ | + 82% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (491 NT$) | 511 NT$ | - 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (71 NT$) | 61 NT$ | + 17% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.00 (33 NT$) | 24 NT$ | + 39% | |
Housing | + 150% | |||
Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 150% more expensive than in Taichung City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Taichung City | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,799 (73,081 NT$) | 32,293 NT$ | + 126% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,282 (52,175 NT$) | 17,203 NT$ | + 203% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 728 (6,050 NT$) | 1,882 NT$ | + 221% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,234 (43,475 NT$) | 17,244 NT$ | + 152% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,249 (26,984 NT$) | 10,286 NT$ | + 162% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 517 (4,292 NT$) | 1,323 NT$ | + 224% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 340 (2,823 NT$) | 700 NT$ | + 303% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,343 (11,158 NT$) | 19,625 NT$ | - 43% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 339 (2,819 NT$) | 3,404 NT$ | - 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (356 NT$) | 293 NT$ | + 21% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 45 (374 NT$) | 304 NT$ | + 23% | |
Clothes | + 27% | |||
Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 27% more expensive than in Taichung City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Taichung City | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 243 (2,016 NT$) | 2,386 NT$ | - 16% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 202 (1,675 NT$) | 1,066 NT$ | + 57% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 333 (2,766 NT$) | 2,460 NT$ | + 12% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 365 (3,028 NT$) | 2,701 NT$ | + 12% | |
Transportation | + 66% | |||
Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 66% more expensive than in Taichung City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Taichung City | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,044 (781,129 NT$) | 1,075,140 NT$ | - 27% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.54 (29 NT$) | 28 NT$ | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 295 (2,453 NT$) | 736 NT$ | + 233% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 41 (340 NT$) | 427 NT$ | - 20% | |
Personal Care | + 15% | |||
Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 15% more expensive than in Taichung City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Taichung City | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 (209 NT$) | 208 NT$ | + 0% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 41 (337 NT$) | 300 NT$ | + 12% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 283 (2,349 NT$) | 1,000 NT$ | + 135% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 20 (167 NT$) | 298 NT$ | - 44% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (144 NT$) | 166 NT$ | - 13% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (166 NT$) | 239 NT$ | - 31% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (94 NT$) | 58 NT$ | + 61% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (130 NT$) | 82 NT$ | + 58% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 45 (375 NT$) | 354 NT$ | + 6% | |
Entertainment | + 47% | |||
Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 47% more expensive than in Taichung City (Taiwan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Taichung City | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 193 (1,600 NT$) | 582 NT$ | + 175% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 101 (839 NT$) | 543 NT$ | + 55% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 292 (2,424 NT$) | 2,779 NT$ | - 13% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 313 (2,604 NT$) | 1,134 NT$ | + 130% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 94 (779 NT$) | 286 NT$ | + 173% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (197 NT$) | 124 NT$ | + 58% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (375 NT$) | 131 NT$ | + 185% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,162 (17,957 NT$) | 13,294 NT$ | + 35% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.49 (4.05 NT$) | 12 NT$ | - 65% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 345 (2,867 NT$) | 1,391 NT$ | + 106% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (160 NT$) | 100 NT$ | + 60% | |
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TOTAL | + 57% |

These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
8.306
TWD
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least 166,882 NT$ (Dirham 20,092) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 106,000 NT$ in Taichung City.
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