Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 (¥2,135) | ¥1,031 | + 107% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (¥1,483) | ¥803 | + 85% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (¥830) | ¥518 | + 60% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (¥276) | ¥223 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (¥505) | ¥320 | + 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.45 (¥235) | ¥564 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 (¥1,132) | ¥1,287 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (¥376) | ¥611 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (¥191) | ¥399 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (¥428) | ¥307 | + 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (¥2,518) | ¥1,249 | + 102% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (¥355) | ¥208 | + 71% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.14 (¥221) | ¥176 | + 26% | |
| Housing | + 44% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 44% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,872 (¥381,502) | ¥372,148 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,605 (¥284,012) | ¥190,833 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 842 (¥36,207) | ¥20,112 | + 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 7,429 (¥319,460) | ¥167,408 | + 91% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,874 (¥209,601) | ¥104,544 | + 100% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 596 (¥25,608) | ¥13,280 | + 93% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 262 (¥11,255) | ¥4,420 | + 155% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 832 (¥35,771) | ¥61,842 | - 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 321 (¥13,811) | ¥10,283 | + 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (¥1,587) | ¥1,221 | + 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (¥1,423) | ¥2,831 | - 50% | |
| Clothes | + 59% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 59% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 166 (¥7,117) | ¥8,264 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 234 (¥10,061) | ¥5,233 | + 92% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 398 (¥17,097) | ¥9,604 | + 78% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 475 (¥20,408) | ¥12,490 | + 63% | |
| Transportation | - 0% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,640 (¥3,811,612) | ¥2,997,460 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.92 (¥126) | ¥170 | - 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 207 (¥8,893) | ¥9,067 | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | + 44% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 44% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (¥940) | ¥2,133 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 125 (¥5,378) | ¥2,993 | + 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 547 (¥23,532) | ¥6,000 | + 292% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (¥1,184) | ¥1,337 | - 11% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (¥806) | ¥948 | - 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (¥922) | ¥622 | + 48% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (¥481) | ¥224 | + 115% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (¥632) | ¥204 | + 210% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 47 (¥2,036) | ¥4,495 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | + 34% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 194 (¥8,337) | ¥5,113 | + 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (¥3,460) | ¥3,873 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 914 (¥39,308) | ¥12,839 | + 206% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 352 (¥15,119) | ¥8,204 | + 84% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (¥3,339) | ¥1,237 | + 170% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 27 (¥1,159) | ¥547 | + 112% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (¥1,748) | ¥674 | + 159% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,688 (¥72,587) | ¥51,659 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.70 (¥30) | ¥52 | - 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 247 (¥10,614) | ¥9,530 | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (¥761) | ¥598 | + 27% | |
| TOTAL | + 32% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,432 prices entered by 328 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
43.001
JPY
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 32% more expensive than in Japan
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