Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 55 (€13) | €17 | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 27 (€6) | €9 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (€4.22) | €4.93 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.56) | €1.02 | + 53% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (€3.51) | €3.73 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 (€1.71) | €2.24 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 29 (€7) | €5.10 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€2.15) | €2.20 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 5.08 (€1.17) | €1.68 | - 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 17 (€3.91) | €1.63 | + 140% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 74 (€17) | €7 | + 136% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€1.74) | €2.47 | - 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.94 (€0.91) | €1.33 | - 32% | |
| Housing | + 31% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,451 (€1,723) | €1,232 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,092 (€1,178) | €949 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 707 (€163) | €149 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,019 (€1,161) | €876 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,401 (€786) | €635 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 396 (€92) | €108 | - 15% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 300 (€69) | €37 | + 86% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,081 (€250) | €329 | - 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 308 (€71) | €111 | - 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 39 (€9) | €10 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 (€7) | €10 | - 26% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 15% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 229 (€53) | €87 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (€51) | €50 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 357 (€82) | €95 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 381 (€88) | €131 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 14% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 86,061 (€19,901) | €24,213 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.18 (€0.50) | €1.37 | - 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 223 (€51) | €50 | + 3% | |
| Personal Care | + 30% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 30% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 20 (€4.58) | €8 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 54 (€13) | €7 | + 77% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 288 (€67) | €29 | + 128% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 25 (€5.78) | €5.48 | + 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (€3.85) | €3.89 | - 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (€4.58) | €3.48 | + 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (€2.67) | €1.59 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (€2.80) | €2.24 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 73 (€17) | €20 | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | + 20% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 20% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 181 (€42) | €46 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (€18) | €22 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 526 (€122) | €81 | + 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 339 (€78) | €60 | + 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 74 (€17) | €10 | + 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (€5.63) | €3.28 | + 72% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€10) | €4.32 | + 140% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,652 (€382) | €443 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.72 (€0.17) | €0.28 | - 40% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 364 (€84) | €30 | + 184% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (€4.80) | €7 | - 34% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 10, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.23124
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,906 prices entered by 562 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 8% more expensive than in Belgium
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 40% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 13% more expensive than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Andorra is 15% more expensive than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Albania is 45% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Argentina is 58% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in Armenia is 60% cheaper than in Belgium
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Belgium
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Belgium