Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $970 (excluding rent), and $2,205 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,306 (excluding rent), and $4,651 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.76 AED 39.52

$5.39 AED 19.78

$26.91 AED 98.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.2 AED 251

$40.94 AED 150

$136 AED 501

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.6 AED 35.25

$8.23 AED 30.22

$9.87 AED 36.25

Cappuccino

$5.82 AED 21.39

$3.45 AED 12.67

$9.51 AED 34.9

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.3 AED 4.77

$0.69 AED 2.52

$3.49 AED 12.81

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 AED 1.49

$0.26 AED 0.96

$1.32 AED 4.83

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.77 AED 39.54

$7.99 AED 29.34

$13.47 AED 49.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.83 AED 39.76

$9.48 AED 34.79

$13.54 AED 49.73

Milk (1 liter)

$2 AED 7.35

$1.38 AED 5.07

$3.32 AED 12.19

White Bread (500g)

$1.6 AED 5.88

$0.84 AED 3.07

$2.5 AED 9.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.45 AED 9

$1.26 AED 4.61

$5.56 AED 20.43

Eggs

$3.68 AED 13.52

$1.64 AED 6.04

$6.87 AED 25.23

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.78 AED 39.57

$5.44 AED 19.99

$21.75 AED 79.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.43 AED 30.96

$4.54 AED 16.67

$13.88 AED 51

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.38 AED 41.81

$8.21 AED 30.15

$16.42 AED 60.3

Apples (1kg)

$2.49 AED 9.14

$1.39 AED 5.12

$3.9 AED 14.33

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 AED 6.47

$1.34 AED 4.91

$3.22 AED 11.81

Oranges (1kg)

$1.9 AED 6.97

$1.12 AED 4.11

$4.19 AED 15.38

Tomato (1kg)

$1.49 AED 5.47

$0.83 AED 3.03

$2.74 AED 10.06

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.29

$0.55 AED 2.02

$1.83 AED 6.72

Onion (1kg)

$1.44 AED 5.3

$0.84 AED 3.08

$2.23 AED 8.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.86 AED 6.84

$1.12 AED 4.09

$3.35 AED 12.28

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 AED 2.3

$0.42 AED 1.54

$0.84 AED 3.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.28 AED 23.06

$5.47 AED 20.07

$8.19 AED 30.09

Wine (Bottle)

$13.36 AED 49.06

$8.02 AED 29.45

$32.07 AED 118

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 AED 8.31

$1.32 AED 4.85

$2.81 AED 10.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 AED 7.98

$1.34 AED 4.93

$4.03 AED 14.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.71 AED 2.61

$0.56 AED 2.07

$1.14 AED 4.18

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.94 AED 95.3

$21.84 AED 80.2

$40.97 AED 150

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.21 AED 11.79

$1.34 AED 4.9

$3.47 AED 12.76

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.57 AED 2.08

$0.52 AED 1.92

$0.99 AED 3.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.32 AED 30.56

$16.65 AED 61.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.75 AED 2.75

$0.65 AED 2.4

$0.84 AED 3.07

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$44.5K AED 163.3K

$29.6K AED 108.6K

$44.9K AED 164.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.2K AED 81.4K

$21.7K AED 79.8K

$22.2K AED 81.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$140 AED 515

$103 AED 379

$259 AED 953

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.8 AED 190

$16.14 AED 59.3

$83 AED 305

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$104 AED 383

$83 AED 305

$125 AED 459

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.6 AED 241

$32.71 AED 120

$114 AED 417

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.68 AED 127

$13.73 AED 50.4

$54.9 AED 202

Cinema Ticket

$13.41 AED 49.25

$10.72 AED 39.38

$26.81 AED 98.5

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$623 AED 2,288

$402 AED 1,476

$1,608 AED 5,906

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.1K AED 44.5K

$6,707 AED 24.6K

$20.1K AED 73.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.5 AED 215

$22.01 AED 80.8

$82.6 AED 303

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57 AED 209

$21.95 AED 80.6

$110 AED 403

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.2 AED 342

$52 AED 191

$138 AED 505

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.7 AED 326

$54 AED 198

$135 AED 496

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,487 AED 5,461

$1,050 AED 3,855

$2,072 AED 7,609

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,090 AED 4,001

$821 AED 3,014

$1,642 AED 6,029

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,109 AED 11.4K

$2,219 AED 8,148

$5,076 AED 18.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 AED 8,564

$1,658 AED 6,087

$4,144 AED 15.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,483 AED 20.1K

$4,405 AED 16.2K

$7,189 AED 26.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.1K AED 44.6K

$4,393 AED 16.1K

$33.2K AED 121.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,147 AED 11.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.19

2.99

7.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi - Frequently Asked Questions

In broad terms, Abu Dhabi offers a high-value lifestyle with strong services and safety, which can feel premium yet manageable with smart budgeting. Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates tends to hinge on housing choices, length of stay, and how you balance leisure with essentials like groceries and transport. For short stays you’ll find convenient mid-range options; longer stays often reward longer commitments or shared housing. Digital nomads can optimize costs with flexible leases and coworking memberships, while travelers benefit from proximity to work hubs. Tip: map a weekly budget around housing, groceries, and transport to spot value.

Daily life in Abu Dhabi blends polish with practical choices. When you search for housing, start with coastal and island-adjacent neighborhoods for walkable access to parks and services, while inland zones often offer more space at similar rents. For groceries and dining, you’ll find a spectrum from busy markets to upscale cafés; cooking at home can save money and let you tailor meals. Transportation leans on cars, ride-hailing, and buses, with limited rail and growing routes. Co-working spaces and cafe hubs support remote work and flexible schedules. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates living cost. Tip: test a few neighborhoods over a weekend to gauge noise, traffic, and convenience.

To optimize quality of life on a budget, use a simple framework that separates housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, then compare a few neighborhoods by commute and amenities. Seasonality affects price and crowd levels – avoiding peak event periods can keep streets quieter and deals easier to find. Choose a neighborhood that fits your pace, whether you want waterfront mornings or quiet inland afternoons. Look for flexible housing options, shareable workspace passes, and local markets for fresh meals. Tip: set monthly caps for dining and rides, and review them each month to stay aligned with your goals.