Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 42 ($11) | $19 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 32 ($9) | $10 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 ($4.02) | $5.76 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 ($1.73) | $1.08 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 ($3.94) | $4.99 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.00 ($1.36) | $4.66 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 ($5.38) | $7 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 ($2.16) | $4.56 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.66 ($1.00) | $2.37 | - 58% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 ($2.74) | $3.48 | - 21% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 64 ($17) | $16 | + 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.31) | $2.91 | - 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 ($1.22) | $2.86 | - 57% | |
| Housing | - 7% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 7% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,899 ($2,695) | $2,763 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,073 ($1,926) | $2,113 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 885 ($241) | $223 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,950 ($1,620) | $1,936 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,006 ($1,091) | $1,468 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 650 ($177) | $151 | + 17% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 ($90) | $61 | + 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 931 ($253) | $292 | - 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 355 ($97) | $142 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 ($12) | $14 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 ($10) | $32 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 194 ($53) | $56 | - 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 185 ($50) | $48 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 ($93) | $95 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 340 ($93) | $125 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 93,159 ($25,364) | $27,558 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.10 ($0.84) | $1.03 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 98 ($27) | $80 | - 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 13 ($3.66) | $9 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 30 ($8) | $24 | - 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 272 ($74) | $154 | - 52% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 ($8) | $9 | - 15% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 ($4.63) | $4.89 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 ($6) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 ($3.46) | $4.91 | - 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 ($3.24) | $2.20 | + 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 42 ($11) | $29 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 169 ($46) | $57 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 ($25) | $28 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 320 ($87) | $234 | - 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 292 ($80) | $94 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 ($22) | $14 | + 55% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 ($5.60) | $5.52 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 ($11) | $7 | + 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,948 ($530) | $549 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 ($0.19) | $0.20 | - 2% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 260 ($71) | $58 | + 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 ($5.30) | $10 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 23% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.27227
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,998 prices entered by 3,036 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 23% cheaper than in United States
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