Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Singapore
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 19% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (SGD $16) | SGD $14 | + 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (SGD $12) | SGD $10 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (SGD $7) | SGD $7 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (SGD $2.38) | SGD $4.05 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (SGD $4.79) | SGD $5.71 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (SGD $2.19) | SGD $4.02 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (SGD $7) | SGD $13 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (SGD $3.35) | SGD $5.66 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (SGD $1.62) | SGD $3.08 | - 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (SGD $3.47) | SGD $5.61 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 61 (SGD $22) | SGD $35 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (SGD $2.92) | SGD $2.83 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (SGD $1.83) | SGD $2.82 | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 18% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 18% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,959 (SGD $5,075) | SGD $7,645 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,141 (SGD $3,323) | SGD $4,241 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 763 (SGD $277) | SGD $184 | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,118 (SGD $2,951) | SGD $3,888 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,265 (SGD $1,914) | SGD $3,018 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 537 (SGD $195) | SGD $102 | + 91% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (SGD $120) | SGD $50 | + 141% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 748 (SGD $272) | SGD $599 | - 55% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 353 (SGD $128) | SGD $312 | - 59% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (SGD $12) | SGD $13 | - 11% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 30 (SGD $11) | SGD $21 | - 48% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 258 (SGD $94) | SGD $111 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (SGD $79) | SGD $63 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 405 (SGD $147) | SGD $145 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 412 (SGD $150) | SGD $167 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 40% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,353 (SGD $34,300) | SGD $160,070 | - 79% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.93 (SGD $1.07) | SGD $2.82 | - 62% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 276 (SGD $100) | SGD $93 | + 8% | |
| Personal Care | + 22% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 22% more expensive than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (SGD $8) | SGD $13 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (SGD $30) | SGD $12 | + 151% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (SGD $139) | SGD $74 | + 89% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (SGD $9) | SGD $13 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (SGD $8) | SGD $7 | + 7% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (SGD $7) | SGD $5.00 | + 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (SGD $3.53) | SGD $2.80 | + 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (SGD $4.05) | SGD $9 | - 55% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (SGD $14) | SGD $32 | - 56% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (SGD $55) | SGD $45 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (SGD $35) | SGD $29 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (SGD $218) | SGD $90 | + 142% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 277 (SGD $101) | SGD $135 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (SGD $28) | SGD $24 | + 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (SGD $8) | SGD $7 | + 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (SGD $16) | SGD $11 | + 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (SGD $621) | SGD $922 | - 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (SGD $0.22) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 322 (SGD $117) | SGD $186 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (SGD $8) | SGD $16 | - 51% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.36353
SGD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,381 prices entered by 272 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in Singapore
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