Cost of living in Albania compared to United Arab Emirates
Currency:
Food | - 17% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 17% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 830 Lek (Dirham 35) | Dirham 46 | - 23% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 800 Lek (Dirham 34) | Dirham 34 | - 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 340 Lek (Dirham 14) | Dirham 18 | - 20% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 152 Lek (Dirham 6) | Dirham 7 | - 3% | |
12 eggs, large | 327 Lek (Dirham 14) | Dirham 13 | + 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 198 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 6 | + 35% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 398 Lek (Dirham 17) | Dirham 19 | - 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 179 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 9 | - 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 92 Lek (Dirham 3.90) | Dirham 4.44 | - 12% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 109 Lek (Dirham 4.58) | Dirham 10 | - 52% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,293 Lek (Dirham 55) | Dirham 59 | - 8% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 190 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | + 1% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 50 Lek (Dirham 2.13) | Dirham 5.06 | - 58% | |
Housing | - 76% | |||
Housing in Albania is 76% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,597 Lek (Dirham 2,302) | Dirham 14,225 | - 84% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 41,798 Lek (Dirham 1,763) | Dirham 9,147 | - 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 13,504 Lek (Dirham 569) | Dirham 766 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,381 Lek (Dirham 1,365) | Dirham 8,038 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,232 Lek (Dirham 1,064) | Dirham 5,261 | - 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,793 Lek (Dirham 286) | Dirham 580 | - 51% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,242 Lek (Dirham 52) | Dirham 331 | - 84% | |
40” flat screen tv | 29,173 Lek (Dirham 1,230) | Dirham 811 | + 52% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,293 Lek (Dirham 856) | Dirham 342 | + 150% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,296 Lek (Dirham 55) | Dirham 33 | + 67% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 959 Lek (Dirham 40) | Dirham 29 | + 40% | |
Clothes | - 25% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 25% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,917 Lek (Dirham 165) | Dirham 263 | - 37% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,564 Lek (Dirham 150) | Dirham 228 | - 34% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 8,669 Lek (Dirham 366) | Dirham 407 | - 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,963 Lek (Dirham 547) | Dirham 419 | + 30% | |
Transportation | - 52% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 52% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 550,000 Lek (Dirham 23,193) | Dirham 96,151 | - 76% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 183 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 2.89 | + 166% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,771 Lek (Dirham 75) | Dirham 270 | - 72% | |
Personal Care | - 44% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 44% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 200 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 22 | - 62% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 669 Lek (Dirham 28) | Dirham 99 | - 72% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,500 Lek (Dirham 105) | Dirham 315 | - 66% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Lek (Dirham 11) | Dirham 21 | - 49% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Lek (Dirham 16) | Dirham 22 | - 27% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 413 Lek (Dirham 17) | Dirham 22 | - 21% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 334 Lek (Dirham 14) | Dirham 11 | + 30% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 Lek (Dirham 16) | Dirham 16 | + 2% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 564 Lek (Dirham 24) | Dirham 41 | - 42% | |
Entertainment | - 28% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 28% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 3,059 Lek (Dirham 129) | Dirham 179 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,600 Lek (Dirham 67) | Dirham 96 | - 30% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | Dirham 484 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 4,588 Lek (Dirham 193) | Dirham 284 | - 32% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 799 Lek (Dirham 34) | Dirham 78 | - 57% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 22 | - 62% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 313 Lek (Dirham 13) | Dirham 45 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (Dirham 3,163) | Dirham 1,716 | + 84% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | Dirham 1.20 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,617 Lek (Dirham 153) | Dirham 321 | - 53% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 354 Lek (Dirham 15) | Dirham 22 | - 31% | |
TOTAL | - 52% |

These prices were last updated on April 28, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04217
AED
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 52% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 59% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 18% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 30% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 15% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in Argentina is 38% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 58% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates