Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 15% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 (€13) | €16 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 (€8) | €8 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (€3.93) | €4.16 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.86) | €1.04 | + 79% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (€3.64) | €4.04 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.16 (€1.35) | €2.77 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 (€5.67) | €8 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (€1.98) | €3.28 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.94 (€1.03) | €2.28 | - 55% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (€3.39) | €1.65 | + 106% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 57 (€15) | €14 | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€2.15) | €3.54 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.55 (€1.19) | €1.61 | - 26% | |
| Housing | + 64% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 64% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,135 (€2,388) | €1,136 | + 110% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,426 (€1,680) | €1,013 | + 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 759 (€198) | €201 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,057 (€1,322) | €823 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,128 (€818) | €690 | + 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 549 (€144) | €79 | + 82% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 352 (€92) | €46 | + 102% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,296 (€339) | €775 | - 56% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 356 (€93) | €212 | - 56% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 42 (€11) | €14 | - 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 40 (€11) | €12 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | - 24% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 223 (€58) | €94 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 209 (€55) | €69 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 328 (€86) | €84 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 325 (€85) | €122 | - 30% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 17% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 97,393 (€25,460) | €25,982 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.58 (€0.94) | €1.89 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 292 (€76) | €51 | + 51% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 23% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 26 (€7) | €9 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (€10) | €12 | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 261 (€68) | €32 | + 110% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 23 (€5.97) | €5.15 | + 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (€5.07) | €3.67 | + 38% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 17 (€4.41) | €3.77 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (€3.52) | €1.90 | + 85% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (€3.80) | €2.17 | + 75% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 44 (€11) | €25 | - 54% | |
| Entertainment | + 32% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 32% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 185 (€48) | €47 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 100 (€26) | €24 | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 237 (€62) | €72 | - 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 304 (€79) | €62 | + 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 89 (€23) | €11 | + 121% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 (€5.17) | €3.31 | + 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€12) | €3.96 | + 198% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,847 (€483) | €415 | + 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.54 (€0.14) | €0.25 | - 43% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 314 (€82) | €20 | + 310% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (€4.65) | €8 | - 42% | |
| TOTAL | + 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 25, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.26142
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,283 prices entered by 305 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 24% more expensive than in Belgium
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