Cost of Living in United Arab Emirates
Summary of cost of living in United Arab Emirates:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $3,344.6 (Dh12,284.5), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $950.4 (Dh3,490.7), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is, on average, 22.1% lower than in United States.
- Rent in United Arab Emirates is, on average, 4.4% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | Dh31.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | Dh200.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | Dh34.84 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | Dh42.30 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | Dh45.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | Dh20.10 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | Dh3.96 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | Dh1.83 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | Dh6.49 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | Dh4.77 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | Dh3.67 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | Dh11.48 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | Dh17.96 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | Dh14.23 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | Dh18.62 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | Dh3.93 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | Dh2.99 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | Dh2.86 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | Dh2.25 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | Dh1.77 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | Dh1.72 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | Dh5.61 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | Dh2.15 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | Dh50.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | Dh9.13 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | Dh10.31 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | Dh23.00 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | Dh6.00 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | Dh200.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | Dh12.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | Dh4.02 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | Dh30.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | Dh3.20 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | Dh163,937.00 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | Dh81,209.88 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | Dh685.11 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | Dh194.83 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | Dh333.41 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | Dh260.72 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | Dh135.87 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | Dh50.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | Dh2,049.73 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | Dh48,987.58 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | Dh240.27 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | Dh207.42 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | Dh364.57 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | Dh363.17 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | Dh5,612.81 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | Dh4,104.38 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | Dh10,020.33 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | Dh7,749.79 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | Dh1,943.32 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | Dh1,020.22 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | Dh10,265.12 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.62 | |
Prices in United Arab Emirates
This country had 4049 entries in the past 12 months by 488 different contributors.
Last update: 7 August 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 7 August 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Sources and References
Moving to United Arab Emirates? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in United Arab Emirates? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for United Arab Emirates.
By City in United Arab Emirates
Rank |
City |
Cost of Living Index |
Rent Index |
Cost of Living Plus Rent Index |
Groceries Index |
Restaurant Price Index |
Local Purchasing Power Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 62.7 | 53.3 | 58.4 | 51.1 | 68.5 | 110.3 | |
| Abu Dhabi | 55.5 | 46.8 | 51.4 | 49.7 | 54.5 | 100.3 | |
| Ras al-Khaimah | 55.0 | 19.8 | 38.7 | 51.1 | 50.6 | 79.5 | |
| Sharjah | 50.3 | 22.5 | 37.4 | 44.2 | 37.6 | 113.0 | |
| Ajman | 45.2 | 48.2 | 46.6 | 36.9 | 38.1 | 90.4 |
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