Cost of living in United Arab Emirates

Summary of cost of living in United Arab Emirates

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: Dirham 17,428
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: Dirham 10,835
  • Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is more expensive than in 70% of countries in the World (22 out of 69)
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Food
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district Dirham 42
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) Dirham 32
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast Dirham 15
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk Dirham 6
12 eggs, large Dirham 15
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes Dirham 5.00
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese Dirham 20
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples Dirham 8
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes Dirham 3.66
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket Dirham 10
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality Dirham 64
2 liters of coca-cola Dirham 8
Bread for 2 people for 1 day Dirham 4.47
Housing
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area Dirham 9,818
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area Dirham 6,908
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat Dirham 885
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area Dirham 5,950
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area Dirham 4,006
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio Dirham 650
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) Dirham 330
40” flat screen tv Dirham 931
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) Dirham 355
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) Dirham 43
Hourly rate for cleaning help Dirham 37
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) Dirham 194
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) Dirham 185
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) Dirham 343
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes Dirham 340
Transportation
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new Dirham 95,977
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas Dirham 3.08
Monthly ticket public transport Dirham 98
Personal Care
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) Dirham 13
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) Dirham 30
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) Dirham 272
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) Dirham 28
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) Dirham 17
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) Dirham 23
4 rolls of toilet paper Dirham 13
Tube of toothpaste Dirham 12
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city Dirham 43
Entertainment
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub Dirham 169
2 tickets to the movies Dirham 92
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) Dirham 320
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert Dirham 292
1 cocktail drink in downtown club Dirham 81
Cappuccino in expat area of the city Dirham 21
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) Dirham 40
Ipad wi-fi 128gb Dirham 1,948
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) Dirham 0.71
1 month of gym membership in business district Dirham 260
1 package of marlboro cigarettes Dirham 19

Moving to United Arab Emirates with your children?

International Schools in United Arab Emirates

Map of Cost of Living in United Arab Emirates

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This map shows only the top cities in United Arab Emirates. We also have on this page a list of all the cities available in Expatistan:
List of all the cities available in Expatistan

The color of each marker corresponds with the cost of living in the city red markers show more expensive cities green ones show cheaper cities
Moving the mouse on top of a city will show its name and the Cost of Living Index of that city.

What is the Cost of Living Index? To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.

Cost of Living Ranking in United Arab Emirates

(top cities by data quality)

Ranking City Price Index *
1st Dubai 130
2nd Abu Dhabi 117
3rd Al Ain 98

Price Index:

To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.

Are you moving to United Arab Emirates? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?

Find out what is the real equivalent in UAE of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.

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List of all cities available in United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi Al Ain Dubai
Fujairah Ra's al Khaymah Sharjah

Prices recently added

  • Sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) in Dubai costs Dirham 875 (about 2 hours ago)
  • 6 eggs, large in Dubai costs Dirham 20 (4 days ago)
  • 6 eggs, large in Dubai costs Dirham 2.00 (6 days ago)
  • 1 liter of gasoline in Abu Dhabi costs Dirham 3.00 (6 days ago)
  • One-way ticket in public transport in Dubai costs Dirham 5.00 (6 days ago)
  • Taxi, initial meter charge, weekday at noon in Dubai costs Dirham 12 (6 days ago)
  • 1 liter of gasoline in Dubai costs Dirham 3.00 (6 days ago)
  • Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Dubai costs Dirham 180,000 (6 days ago)
  • Sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) in Dubai costs Dirham 300 (6 days ago)
  • Furnished accommodation in normal area, monthly rent - 900 sqft in Dubai costs Dirham 4,574 (6 days ago)

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