Cost of Living Comparison Between United Arab Emirates and United States

For major cities in those countries you get more relevant data by specifying cities.

City in United Arab Emirates:
City in United States:

Indices Difference
Cost of Living in United States is 22.0% higher than in United Arab Emirates (excluding rent)
Cost of Living Including Rent in United States is 11.7% higher than in United Arab Emirates
Rent Prices in United States are 4.8% lower than in United Arab Emirates
Restaurant Prices in United States are 25.3% higher than in United Arab Emirates
Groceries Prices in United States are 64.7% higher than in United Arab Emirates
Local Purchasing Power in United States is 19.8% higher than in United Arab Emirates

Currency: Sticky Currency Switch to metric measurement units

Restaurants	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit	Difference
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant	30.00 AED (8.17 $)	73.46 AED (20.00 $)	+144.9 %
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks)	250.00 AED (68.07 $)	279.14 AED (76.00 $)	+11.7 %
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal)	35.00 AED (9.53 $)	44.08 AED (12.00 $)	+25.9 %
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint)	43.00 AED (11.71 $)	22.04 AED (6.00 $)	-48.7 %
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle)	45.00 AED (12.25 $)	27.55 AED (7.50 $)	-38.8 %
Cappuccino (Regular Size)	20.15 AED (5.48 $)	19.49 AED (5.31 $)	-3.3 %
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle)	3.98 AED (1.08 $)	9.54 AED (2.60 $)	+139.6 %
Bottled Water (12 oz)	2.01 AED (0.55 $)	7.74 AED (2.11 $)	+285.7 %
Markets	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter)	6.71 AED (1.83 $)	3.91 AED (1.06 $)	-41.7 %
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf)	4.67 AED (1.27 $)	12.21 AED (3.32 $)	+161.6 %
White Rice (1 lb)	3.63 AED (0.99 $)	7.64 AED (2.08 $)	+110.7 %
Eggs (12, Large Size)	11.37 AED (3.10 $)	16.19 AED (4.41 $)	+42.3 %
Local Cheese (1 lb)	17.87 AED (4.87 $)	21.69 AED (5.90 $)	+21.3 %
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	14.86 AED (4.05 $)	20.43 AED (5.56 $)	+37.5 %
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb)	19.27 AED (5.25 $)	27.57 AED (7.51 $)	+43.0 %
Apples (1 lb)	3.82 AED (1.04 $)	8.74 AED (2.38 $)	+128.8 %
Bananas (1 lb)	2.92 AED (0.80 $)	2.80 AED (0.76 $)	-4.1 %
Oranges (1 lb)	2.81 AED (0.77 $)	7.45 AED (2.03 $)	+164.8 %
Tomatoes (1 lb)	2.22 AED (0.60 $)	8.15 AED (2.22 $)	+267.4 %
Potatoes (1 lb)	1.82 AED (0.49 $)	4.84 AED (1.32 $)	+166.6 %
Onions (1 lb)	1.94 AED (0.53 $)	5.11 AED (1.39 $)	+163.1 %
Lettuce (1 Head)	5.44 AED (1.48 $)	8.12 AED (2.21 $)	+49.2 %
Bottled Water (50 oz)	2.23 AED (0.61 $)	8.25 AED (2.25 $)	+269.3 %
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	55.00 AED (14.97 $)	55.09 AED (15.00 $)	+0.2 %
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle)	8.75 AED (2.38 $)	7.39 AED (2.01 $)	-15.5 %
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle)	10.28 AED (2.80 $)	13.28 AED (3.62 $)	+29.1 %
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro)	23.00 AED (6.26 $)	36.73 AED (10.00 $)	+59.7 %
Transportation	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)	5.00 AED (1.36 $)	9.18 AED (2.50 $)	+83.6 %
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price)	200.00 AED (54.45 $)	235.07 AED (64.00 $)	+17.5 %
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff)	12.00 AED (3.27 $)	13.04 AED (3.55 $)	+8.7 %
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff)	4.02 AED (1.10 $)	10.28 AED (2.80 $)	+155.6 %
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff)	30.00 AED (8.17 $)	110.19 AED (30.00 $)	+267.3 %
Gasoline (1 Liter)	2.85 AED (0.78 $)	3.29 AED (0.89 $)	+15.2 %
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car)	163,937.00 AED (44,633.73 $)	126,722.77 AED (34,501.73 $)	-22.7 %
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car)	82,518.67 AED (22,466.65 $)	95,688.97 AED (26,052.42 $)	+16.0 %
Utilities (Monthly)	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	663.78 AED (180.72 $)	770.69 AED (209.83 $)	+16.1 %
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data)	212.15 AED (57.76 $)	222.71 AED (60.63 $)	+5.0 %
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher)	366.61 AED (99.81 $)	266.05 AED (72.43 $)	-27.4 %
Sports And Leisure	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership	248.25 AED (67.59 $)	167.30 AED (45.55 $)	-32.6 %
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend)	150.83 AED (41.07 $)	80.63 AED (21.95 $)	-46.5 %
Cinema Ticket (International Release)	50.00 AED (13.61 $)	55.09 AED (15.00 $)	+10.2 %
Childcare	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child	2,553.64 AED (695.26 $)	5,030.53 AED (1,369.62 $)	+97.0 %
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child	45,913.91 AED (12,500.59 $)	85,269.79 AED (23,215.68 $)	+85.7 %
Clothing And Shoes	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar)	251.57 AED (68.49 $)	192.21 AED (52.33 $)	-23.6 %
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M)	225.09 AED (61.28 $)	156.78 AED (42.69 $)	-30.3 %
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	398.91 AED (108.61 $)	332.73 AED (90.59 $)	-16.6 %
Men's Leather Business Shoes	398.05 AED (108.37 $)	416.37 AED (113.36 $)	+4.6 %
Rent Per Month	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre	6,276.09 AED (1,708.74 $)	6,340.83 AED (1,726.36 $)	+1.0 %
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre	4,263.13 AED (1,160.69 $)	5,241.87 AED (1,427.16 $)	+23.0 %
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre	12,612.99 AED (3,434.03 $)	10,484.67 AED (2,854.57 $)	-16.9 %
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre	9,232.90 AED (2,513.76 $)	8,756.33 AED (2,384.01 $)	-5.2 %
Buy Apartment Price	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	2,222.86 AED (605.20 $)	1,099.58 AED (299.37 $)	-50.5 %
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	1,275.16 AED (347.18 $)	927.95 AED (252.65 $)	-27.2 %
Salaries And Financing	United Arab Emirates Edit	United States Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	11,766.33 AED (3,203.52 $)	15,745.49 AED (4,286.89 $)	+33.8 %
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %)	4.63	6.47	+39.8 %
Last update:	7 November 2025	7 November 2025
Contributors in the past 12 months:	765	13087

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