Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $958 (excluding rent), and $2,204 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,283 (excluding rent), and $4,773 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.74 AED 39.42

$5.38 AED 19.73

$26.86 AED 98.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.9 AED 253

$41.33 AED 152

$138 AED 506

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.36 AED 34.33

$8.02 AED 29.43

$9.62 AED 35.31

Cappuccino

$6.00 AED 22.03

$3.56 AED 13.05

$9.80 AED 35.95

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

$1.26 AED 4.64

$0.67 AED 2.45

$3.39 AED 12.45

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 AED 1.47

$0.26 AED 0.95

$1.30 AED 4.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.70 AED 39.28

$7.94 AED 29.15

$13.39 AED 49.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.79 AED 39.60

$9.44 AED 34.66

$13.50 AED 49.53

Milk (1 liter)

$1.93 AED 7.07

$1.33 AED 4.88

$3.20 AED 11.74

White Bread (500g)

$1.61 AED 5.90

$0.84 AED 3.08

$2.51 AED 9.20

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.34 AED 8.60

$1.20 AED 4.41

$5.32 AED 19.53

Eggs

$3.74 AED 13.71

$1.67 AED 6.12

$6.97 AED 25.58

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.88 AED 39.93

$5.50 AED 20.17

$21.96 AED 80.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.57 AED 31.44

$4.61 AED 16.93

$14.11 AED 51.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.52 AED 42.29

$8.31 AED 30.50

$16.62 AED 61.0

Apples (1kg)

$2.42 AED 8.87

$1.35 AED 4.96

$3.79 AED 13.91

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 AED 6.65

$1.38 AED 5.05

$3.31 AED 12.15

Oranges (1kg)

$1.88 AED 6.91

$1.11 AED 4.07

$4.15 AED 15.23

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 AED 5.52

$0.83 AED 3.06

$2.76 AED 10.14

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 AED 4.15

$0.53 AED 1.95

$1.77 AED 6.49

Onion (1kg)

$1.44 AED 5.30

$0.84 AED 3.08

$2.23 AED 8.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.84 AED 6.76

$1.10 AED 4.05

$3.31 AED 12.14

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 AED 2.20

$0.40 AED 1.48

$0.80 AED 2.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.25 AED 22.94

$5.44 AED 19.97

$8.16 AED 29.93

Wine (Bottle)

$13.73 AED 50.4

$8.24 AED 30.24

$32.95 AED 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.36 AED 8.66

$1.38 AED 5.06

$2.93 AED 10.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 AED 8.16

$1.37 AED 5.04

$4.12 AED 15.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.71 AED 2.59

$0.56 AED 2.06

$1.13 AED 4.16

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.37 AED 93.1

$21.36 AED 78.4

$40.05 AED 147

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 AED 12.10

$1.37 AED 5.03

$3.57 AED 13.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.57 AED 2.08

$0.52 AED 1.92

$0.99 AED 3.65

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.07 AED 29.61

$16.14 AED 59.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 AED 3.00

$0.71 AED 2.61

$0.91 AED 3.34

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

$44.8K AED 164.5K

$29.8K AED 109.4K

$45.2K AED 166.0K

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

$21.8K AED 80.1K

$21.4K AED 78.5K

$21.9K AED 80.4K

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

$141 AED 516

$103 AED 380

$260 AED 955

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

$50.7 AED 186

$15.81 AED 58.0

$81.3 AED 298

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 372

$80.6 AED 296

$121 AED 445

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.9 AED 242

$32.84 AED 121

$114 AED 418

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.00 AED 128

$13.86 AED 50.9

$55.4 AED 203

Cinema Ticket

$13.72 AED 50.3

$10.97 AED 40.25

$27.42 AED 101

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

$625 AED 2,293

$403 AED 1,480

$1,613 AED 5,920

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K AED 45.8K

$6,909 AED 25.4K

$20.7K AED 76.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.6 AED 211

$21.69 AED 79.6

$81.4 AED 299

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.2 AED 206

$21.65 AED 79.5

$108 AED 397

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.5 AED 336

$51.1 AED 188

$135 AED 496

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.9 AED 326

$54.2 AED 199

$135 AED 497

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,449 AED 5,316

$1,023 AED 3,753

$2,018 AED 7,407

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,086 AED 3,987

$819 AED 3,004

$1,637 AED 6,008

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,032 AED 11.1K

$2,164 AED 7,942

$4,950 AED 18.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,269 AED 8,328

$1,613 AED 5,919

$4,032 AED 14.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,002 AED 18.4K

$4,582 AED 16.8K

$6,859 AED 25.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,946 AED 10.8K

$2,271 AED 8,334

$5,979 AED 21.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,774 AED 10.2K

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: January 11, 2026

Abu Dhabi Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

524

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

324

Mbps

178

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.