Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 14% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (€10) | €17 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 (€6) | €8 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 20 (€4.39) | €4.41 | - 0% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.55) | €1.00 | + 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (€3.24) | €3.78 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 (€1.54) | €2.45 | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (€5.11) | €4.91 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€1.98) | €2.37 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.63 (€1.04) | €1.69 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (€3.01) | €1.74 | + 72% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 81 (€18) | €7 | + 144% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€1.76) | €2.31 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.70 (€1.05) | €1.22 | - 14% | |
| Housing | + 30% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 30% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,746 (€1,734) | €1,131 | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,695 (€1,275) | €927 | + 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 686 (€154) | €138 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,844 (€1,085) | €901 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,415 (€765) | €653 | + 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 365 (€82) | €99 | - 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 277 (€62) | €36 | + 70% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 950 (€213) | €378 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 375 (€84) | €133 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (€8) | €10 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (€7) | €10 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 (€50) | €81 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 207 (€46) | €43 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 337 (€76) | €82 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 345 (€77) | €104 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 39% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 85,543 (€19,152) | €24,774 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.09 (€0.47) | €1.32 | - 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 127 (€28) | €50 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 12% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 12% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 (€4.11) | €8 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 50 (€11) | €11 | - 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 260 (€58) | €36 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 30 (€7) | €5.08 | + 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (€3.81) | €3.38 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (€4.13) | €3.87 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (€2.65) | €1.83 | + 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (€2.80) | €2.17 | + 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 75 (€17) | €25 | - 34% | |
| Entertainment | + 9% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 (€42) | €47 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 84 (€19) | €22 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 595 (€133) | €81 | + 64% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 (€59) | €63 | - 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 74 (€16) | €9 | + 73% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (€4.80) | €3.54 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€10) | €4.16 | + 142% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,008 (€450) | €476 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.64 (€0.14) | €0.22 | - 36% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 297 (€66) | €40 | + 67% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (€4.41) | €8 | - 42% | |
| TOTAL | - 3% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 24, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.22389
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,244 prices entered by 465 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium
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