Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Hong Kong
Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 15% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (HK$100) | HK$81 | + 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (HK$74) | HK$50 | + 47% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (HK$38) | HK$39 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (HK$14) | HK$25 | - 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (HK$28) | HK$30 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (HK$13) | HK$25 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (HK$40) | HK$98 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (HK$19) | HK$31 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.63 (HK$10) | HK$20 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (HK$20) | HK$18 | + 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (HK$125) | HK$210 | - 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (HK$16) | HK$17 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.95 (HK$11) | HK$19 | - 44% | |
| Housing | - 9% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,486 (HK$30,961) | HK$39,730 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,101 (HK$19,452) | HK$27,196 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (HK$1,637) | HK$2,628 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (HK$17,179) | HK$19,653 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (HK$11,245) | HK$13,702 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (HK$1,240) | HK$799 | + 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 (HK$693) | HK$191 | + 263% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (HK$1,733) | HK$3,504 | - 51% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (HK$731) | HK$1,032 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 36 (HK$77) | HK$104 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (HK$66) | HK$78 | - 16% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 16% more expensive than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 (HK$574) | HK$609 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (HK$464) | HK$310 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 (HK$849) | HK$705 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (HK$896) | HK$1,125 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 22% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (HK$205,507) | HK$295,896 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (HK$6) | HK$25 | - 75% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (HK$577) | HK$561 | + 3% | |
| Personal Care | - 8% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (HK$50) | HK$353 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (HK$212) | HK$88 | + 141% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 (HK$663) | HK$431 | + 54% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (HK$45) | HK$40 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (HK$46) | HK$24 | + 95% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (HK$47) | HK$68 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (HK$23) | HK$19 | + 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (HK$34) | HK$23 | + 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (HK$88) | HK$176 | - 50% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 15% more expensive than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 (HK$332) | HK$264 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (HK$205) | HK$199 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (HK$1,035) | HK$500 | + 107% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (HK$606) | HK$554 | + 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (HK$166) | HK$165 | + 1% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (HK$46) | HK$41 | + 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (HK$96) | HK$60 | + 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 (HK$4,476) | HK$11,770 | - 62% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 (HK$3.80) | HK$1.17 | + 225% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 (HK$678) | HK$641 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (HK$46) | HK$102 | - 55% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 09, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.137
HKD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,080 prices entered by 187 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Hong Kong
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