Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 28% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (€11) | €19 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (€9) | €11 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (€4.54) | €5.79 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.65) | €1.28 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€3.29) | €3.54 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.90 (€1.47) | €6 | - 77% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (€4.49) | €6 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€2.30) | €2.59 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (€1.11) | €2.11 | - 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (€2.38) | €2.08 | + 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 61 (€15) | €8 | + 99% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€2.00) | €3.05 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (€1.26) | €2.00 | - 37% | |
| Housing | + 80% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 80% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,959 (€3,480) | €1,348 | + 158% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,141 (€2,279) | €1,170 | + 95% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 763 (€190) | €265 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,118 (€2,024) | €873 | + 132% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,265 (€1,313) | €663 | + 98% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 537 (€134) | €154 | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (€82) | €54 | + 52% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 748 (€187) | €302 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 353 (€88) | €110 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (€8) | €17 | - 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 30 (€8) | €12 | - 36% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 258 (€64) | €88 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (€54) | €42 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 405 (€101) | €101 | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 412 (€103) | €129 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 3% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,353 (€23,521) | €32,008 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.93 (€0.73) | €1.67 | - 56% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 276 (€69) | €52 | + 32% | |
| Personal Care | - 4% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 4% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (€5.52) | €12 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (€21) | €14 | + 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (€95) | €31 | + 207% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (€6) | €5.29 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (€5.19) | €9 | - 41% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (€4.99) | €4.92 | + 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (€2.42) | €3.01 | - 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (€2.78) | €4.00 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (€10) | €27 | - 64% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (€38) | €43 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (€24) | €26 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (€150) | €90 | + 66% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 277 (€69) | €94 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (€19) | €12 | + 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (€5.44) | €3.51 | + 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€11) | €5.03 | + 121% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (€426) | €561 | - 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (€0.15) | €0.25 | - 40% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 322 (€80) | €31 | + 160% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (€5.29) | €11 | - 51% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.24929
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,108 prices entered by 236 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 14% more expensive than in Belgium
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