Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 19% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (AU$20) | AU$23 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (AU$15) | AU$15 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (AU$2.70) | AU$1.88 | + 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (AU$5.36) | AU$8 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (AU$2.59) | AU$5.89 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (AU$8) | AU$9 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (AU$3.75) | AU$5.00 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.47 (AU$1.89) | AU$3.88 | - 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (AU$4.05) | AU$7 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (AU$25) | AU$22 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (AU$3.14) | AU$3.95 | - 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.06 (AU$2.14) | AU$2.57 | - 17% | |
| Housing | + 33% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 33% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,225 (AU$6,014) | AU$4,098 | + 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,147 (AU$3,867) | AU$2,719 | + 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (AU$324) | AU$232 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (AU$3,398) | AU$2,837 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (AU$2,224) | AU$2,144 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (AU$245) | AU$188 | + 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 331 (AU$140) | AU$66 | + 111% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (AU$343) | AU$749 | - 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (AU$145) | AU$237 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (AU$14) | AU$16 | - 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (AU$12) | AU$39 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 263 (AU$111) | AU$119 | - 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 228 (AU$96) | AU$98 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 407 (AU$172) | AU$160 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (AU$177) | AU$193 | - 8% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 17% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (AU$40,646) | AU$39,643 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (AU$1.22) | AU$1.93 | - 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (AU$114) | AU$141 | - 19% | |
| Personal Care | + 36% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 36% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$10 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (AU$42) | AU$23 | + 84% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 315 (AU$133) | AU$82 | + 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (AU$9) | AU$7 | + 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$5.37 | + 70% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$9 | + 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (AU$4.58) | AU$4.39 | + 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (AU$7) | AU$4.48 | + 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (AU$17) | AU$39 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 15% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 15% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (AU$76) | AU$75 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (AU$41) | AU$47 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (AU$205) | AU$351 | - 42% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (AU$120) | AU$141 | - 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (AU$33) | AU$21 | + 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$5.54 | + 69% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (AU$19) | AU$12 | + 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,716 (AU$725) | AU$863 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.20 (AU$0.51) | AU$0.77 | - 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 321 (AU$136) | AU$94 | + 44% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$46 | - 80% | |
| TOTAL | + 2% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.42274
AUD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,887 prices entered by 379 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Australia
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