Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
Food | - 11% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in United Arab Emirates is 11% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 52 (£11) | £15 | - 25% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 33 (£7) | £8 | - 7% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (£3.98) | £3.98 | + 0% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (£1.32) | £1.11 | + 18% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (£2.96) | £3.74 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.70 (£1.23) | £2.43 | - 49% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (£4.97) | £4.86 | + 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (£1.85) | £2.18 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.43 (£0.96) | £0.92 | + 5% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 11 (£2.46) | £2.13 | + 15% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 62 (£13) | £10 | + 41% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (£1.78) | £2.23 | - 20% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.74 (£1.02) | £1.08 | - 5% | |
Housing | - 17% | |||
Housing in United Arab Emirates is 17% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,677 (£2,091) | £2,775 | - 25% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,649 (£1,436) | £2,113 | - 32% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 767 (£166) | £181 | - 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,916 (£1,494) | £1,877 | - 20% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,302 (£929) | £1,256 | - 26% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 506 (£109) | £141 | - 23% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 240 (£52) | £27 | + 89% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 777 (£168) | £276 | - 39% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 312 (£67) | £85 | - 21% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 32 (£7) | £7 | + 3% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 (£7) | £14 | - 51% | |
Clothes | - 16% | |||
Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 16% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 173 (£37) | £72 | - 48% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 173 (£37) | £35 | + 8% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 393 (£85) | £82 | + 4% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 363 (£78) | £85 | - 7% | |
Transportation | - 63% | |||
Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 63% 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 78,562 (£16,973) | £28,239 | - 40% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.90 (£0.63) | £1.43 | - 56% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 155 (£34) | £112 | - 70% | |
Personal Care | + 47% | |||
Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (£4.78) | £3.37 | + 42% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (£18) | £8 | + 125% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (£83) | £62 | + 33% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (£5.21) | £3.98 | + 31% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (£4.52) | £1.90 | + 138% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (£4.33) | £4.03 | + 7% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (£2.10) | £2.16 | - 3% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (£2.41) | £1.84 | + 31% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (£8) | £15 | - 45% | |
Entertainment | + 3% | |||
Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (£33) | £39 | - 15% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 85 (£18) | £23 | - 19% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (£130) | £114 | + 14% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 315 (£68) | £66 | + 3% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (£17) | £12 | + 45% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 31 (£7) | £3.73 | + 82% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 39 (£8) | £5.88 | + 42% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (£369) | £429 | - 14% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (£0.13) | £0.11 | + 18% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 330 (£71) | £40 | + 76% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (£3.94) | £15 | - 74% | |
TOTAL | - 27% |

These prices were last updated on February 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.21605
GBP
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 27% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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