Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Spain
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (€11) | €18 | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (€9) | €11 | - 18% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (€4.54) | €3.89 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.65) | €1.04 | + 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€3.29) | €3.03 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.90 (€1.47) | €2.07 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (€4.49) | €7 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€2.30) | €2.03 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (€1.11) | €1.57 | - 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (€2.38) | €1.14 | + 108% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 61 (€15) | €7 | + 115% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€2.00) | €2.15 | - 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (€1.26) | €1.03 | + 23% | |
| Housing | + 111% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 111% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,959 (€3,480) | €1,505 | + 131% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,141 (€2,279) | €1,025 | + 122% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 763 (€190) | €114 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,118 (€2,024) | €975 | + 108% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,265 (€1,313) | €701 | + 87% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 537 (€134) | €78 | + 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (€82) | €26 | + 214% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 748 (€187) | €327 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 353 (€88) | €96 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (€8) | €7 | + 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 30 (€8) | €12 | - 38% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 11% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 258 (€64) | €83 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (€54) | €36 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 405 (€101) | €88 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 412 (€103) | €96 | + 7% | |
| Transportation | + 47% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,353 (€23,521) | €26,390 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.93 (€0.73) | €1.54 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 276 (€69) | €29 | + 139% | |
| Personal Care | + 51% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 51% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (€5.52) | €9 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (€21) | €8 | + 172% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (€95) | €56 | + 70% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (€6) | €4.37 | + 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (€5.19) | €2.83 | + 84% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (€4.99) | €3.24 | + 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (€2.42) | €1.93 | + 25% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (€2.78) | €2.05 | + 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (€10) | €18 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | + 20% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 20% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (€38) | €37 | + 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (€24) | €17 | + 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (€150) | €49 | + 206% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 277 (€69) | €52 | + 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (€19) | €11 | + 82% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (€5.44) | €3.02 | + 80% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€11) | €4.88 | + 128% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (€426) | €529 | - 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (€0.15) | €0.23 | - 36% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 322 (€80) | €55 | + 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (€5.29) | €5.58 | - 5% | |
| TOTAL | + 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.24929
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 8,435 prices entered by 1,039 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 48% more expensive than in Spain
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 35% cheaper than in Spain
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 26% more expensive than in Spain
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 94% more expensive than in Spain
- Cost of living in Austria is 28% more expensive than in Spain
- Cost of living in Andorra is 35% more expensive than in Spain
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Spain
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Spain
- Cost of living in Argentina is 7% cheaper than in Spain