Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 16% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 41 (£9) | £15 | - 39% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 (£7) | £7 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (£3.21) | £3.67 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (£1.41) | £1.13 | + 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (£3.22) | £3.51 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 4.91 (£1.06) | £1.97 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (£4.30) | £4.39 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (£1.67) | £1.99 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.69 (£0.80) | £0.92 | - 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (£2.17) | £1.90 | + 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 63 (£14) | £9 | + 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (£1.80) | £2.35 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.48 (£0.97) | £1.13 | - 14% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 10,083 (£2,181) | £2,361 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,974 (£1,508) | £1,706 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 885 (£191) | £203 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,940 (£1,285) | £1,511 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,950 (£854) | £1,151 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 588 (£127) | £132 | - 4% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 327 (£71) | £28 | + 150% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 878 (£190) | £326 | - 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (£74) | £90 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 45 (£10) | £6 | + 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (£8) | £15 | - 49% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 4% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 203 (£44) | £70 | - 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 185 (£40) | £34 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 343 (£74) | £74 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 340 (£74) | £86 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 69% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 69% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,595 (£20,891) | £27,606 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.02 (£0.65) | £1.49 | - 56% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 97 (£21) | £112 | - 81% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 13 (£2.91) | £4.48 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 30 (£7) | £12 | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 272 (£59) | £91 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (£6) | £4.23 | + 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (£3.65) | £1.60 | + 128% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (£4.95) | £3.61 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (£2.75) | £2.23 | + 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (£2.58) | £1.80 | + 43% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 43 (£9) | £14 | - 34% | |
| Entertainment | + 4% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 4% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 169 (£37) | £38 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 93 (£20) | £23 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 320 (£69) | £148 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 297 (£64) | £65 | - 2% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 80 (£17) | £10 | + 80% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (£4.45) | £3.40 | + 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (£9) | £4.99 | + 73% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,944 (£421) | £440 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.73 (£0.16) | £0.11 | + 43% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 260 (£56) | £41 | + 36% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (£4.27) | £13 | - 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.21627
GBP
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,790 prices entered by 908 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 28% cheaper than in United Kingdom
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 63% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 22% more expensive than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Austria is 28% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Argentina is 50% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 56% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Armenia is 51% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Albania is 44% cheaper than in United Kingdom