Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Thailand
Currency:
| Food | + 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Thailand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 (470 ฿) | 169 ฿ | + 178% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (326 ฿) | 193 ฿ | + 69% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (183 ฿) | 63 ฿ | + 192% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (61 ฿) | 67 ฿ | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (111 ฿) | 77 ฿ | + 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.45 (52 ฿) | 75 ฿ | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 (249 ฿) | 372 ฿ | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (83 ฿) | 101 ฿ | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (42 ฿) | 51 ฿ | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (94 ฿) | 53 ฿ | + 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (554 ฿) | 783 ฿ | - 29% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (78 ฿) | 51 ฿ | + 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.14 (49 ฿) | 70 ฿ | - 30% | |
| Housing | + 179% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 179% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Thailand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,872 (83,976 ฿) | 43,745 ฿ | + 92% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,605 (62,517 ฿) | 17,537 ฿ | + 256% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 842 (7,970 ฿) | 3,335 ฿ | + 139% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 7,429 (70,320 ฿) | 21,647 ฿ | + 225% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,874 (46,138 ฿) | 11,564 ฿ | + 299% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 596 (5,637 ฿) | 1,379 ฿ | + 309% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 262 (2,477 ฿) | 373 ฿ | + 564% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 832 (7,874 ฿) | 8,749 ฿ | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 321 (3,040 ฿) | 2,647 ฿ | + 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (349 ฿) | 177 ฿ | + 97% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (313 ฿) | 198 ฿ | + 58% | |
| Clothes | + 55% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 55% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Thailand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 166 (1,567 ฿) | 1,961 ฿ | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 234 (2,215 ฿) | 1,192 ฿ | + 86% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 398 (3,763 ฿) | 2,510 ฿ | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 475 (4,492 ฿) | 1,914 ฿ | + 135% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 21% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Thailand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,640 (839,014 ฿) | 891,654 ฿ | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.92 (28 ฿) | 37 ฿ | - 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 207 (1,958 ฿) | 1,344 ฿ | + 46% | |
| Personal Care | + 172% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 172% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Thailand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (207 ฿) | 131 ฿ | + 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 125 (1,184 ฿) | 219 ฿ | + 440% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 547 (5,180 ฿) | 1,179 ฿ | + 339% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (261 ฿) | 151 ฿ | + 73% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (177 ฿) | 91 ฿ | + 94% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (203 ฿) | 142 ฿ | + 43% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (106 ฿) | 71 ฿ | + 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (139 ฿) | 66 ฿ | + 112% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 47 (448 ฿) | 200 ฿ | + 124% | |
| Entertainment | + 65% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 65% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Thailand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 194 (1,835 ฿) | 643 ฿ | + 185% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (762 ฿) | 359 ฿ | + 112% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 914 (8,653 ฿) | 3,921 ฿ | + 121% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 352 (3,328 ฿) | 1,563 ฿ | + 113% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (735 ฿) | 326 ฿ | + 125% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 27 (255 ฿) | 87 ฿ | + 195% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (385 ฿) | 102 ฿ | + 277% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,688 (15,978 ฿) | 26,900 ฿ | - 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.70 (7 ฿) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 247 (2,336 ฿) | 1,872 ฿ | + 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (168 ฿) | 158 ฿ | + 6% | |
| TOTAL | + 76% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,307 prices entered by 276 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.465
THB
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 76% more expensive than in Thailand
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