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 $3,417.0 (Dh12,548.9), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $968.9 (Dh3,558.4), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is, on average, 20.6% lower than in United States.
- Rent in United Arab Emirates is, on average, 4.0% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $8.44 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $66.71 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $8.99 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | $10.89 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $11.71 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $5.45 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | $1.08 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | $0.53 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.79 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | $1.28 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | $1.03 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $3.20 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $5.05 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $3.76 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | $5.03 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | $1.07 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.79 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $0.78 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $0.61 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $0.49 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | $0.51 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $1.53 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | $0.59 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $14.59 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | $2.38 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $2.79 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $6.26 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $1.36 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $54.46 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $3.27 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | $1.10 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $8.17 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $0.79 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $44,639.07 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $22,091.37 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $184.19 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $53.14 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $96.25 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $67.92 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $38.92 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $13.61 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $571.95 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $12,642.06 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $62.79 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $58.21 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $101.35 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $99.74 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,554.85 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,096.31 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $2,692.20 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $2,252.74 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $546.80 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $297.75 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $3,026.80 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.67 | |
Prices in United Arab Emirates
This country had 4026 entries in the past 12 months by 508 different contributors.
Last update: 8 May 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 8 May 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 | 61.3 | 49.4 | 55.8 | 48.0 | 67.3 | 143.1 | |
| Ras al-Khaimah | 53.1 | 19.5 | 37.6 | 49.0 | 49.1 | 87.2 | |
| Abu Dhabi | 51.4 | 44.4 | 48.2 | 45.4 | 55.5 | 106.1 | |
| Sharjah | 49.3 | 21.5 | 36.5 | 41.9 | 37.3 | 115.7 | |
| Ajman | 43.3 | 50.8 | 46.8 | 34.5 | 37.6 | 91.9 |
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