Cost of living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Summary of cost of living in Dubai

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: Dirham 19,906
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: Dirham 12,393
  • Dubai is the most expensive city in Middle East (1 out of 5)
  • Cost of living in Dubai is more expensive than in 86% of cities in the World (23 out of 155)
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List of prices in Dubai
Current as of Dec 2024.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district Dirham 52
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) Dirham 33
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast Dirham 19
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk Dirham 6
12 eggs, large Dirham 12
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes Dirham 5.66
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese Dirham 28
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples Dirham 8
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes Dirham 4.61
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket Dirham 9
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality Dirham 56
2 liters of coca-cola Dirham 8
Bread for 2 people for 1 day Dirham 4.57
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area Dirham 11,504
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area Dirham 7,519
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat Dirham 876
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area Dirham 7,570
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area Dirham 5,293
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio Dirham 644
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) Dirham 238
40” flat screen tv Dirham 809
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) Dirham 299
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) Dirham 45
Hourly rate for cleaning help Dirham 36
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) Dirham 213
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) Dirham 162
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) Dirham 438
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes Dirham 319
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new Dirham 94,873
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas Dirham 3.00
Monthly ticket public transport Dirham 404
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) Dirham 56
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) Dirham 24
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) Dirham 38
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) Dirham 322
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) Dirham 23
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) Dirham 16
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) Dirham 22
4 rolls of toilet paper Dirham 11
Tube of toothpaste Dirham 14
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city Dirham 43
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub Dirham 171
2 tickets to the movies Dirham 85
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) Dirham 532
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert Dirham 362
1 cocktail drink in downtown club Dirham 80
Cappuccino in expat area of the city Dirham 26
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) Dirham 42
Ipad wi-fi 128gb Dirham 1,998
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) Dirham 0.61
1 month of gym membership in business district Dirham 231
1 package of marlboro cigarettes Dirham 18
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 551 prices entered by 155 different people.
Latest price update: December 14, 2024

Moving to Dubai with your children?

International Schools in Dubai

Dubai position in our World Ranking

the world
23rd
out of 155
middle east
1st
out of 5

Cheapest and most expensive products in Dubai compared to other cities:

the world
1st
the world
2nd
the world
3rd
middle east
1st
middle east
1st
middle east
1st

Do you live in Dubai? We need your help!

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Summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers)

in Dubai?

Dirham

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International Cost of Living Index

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Prices recently added

  • 1 kg of potatoes in Dubai costs Dirham 4.42 (about 1 hour ago)
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  • Hourly rate for domestic cleaning help in Bogotá costs COL$9,540 (about 7 hours ago)
  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Guangzhou costs 45元 (about 9 hours ago)
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