Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi - Updated Prices & Insights

65.89

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $964 (excluding rent), and $2,179 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,317 (excluding rent), and $4,741 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.76 AED 39.51

$5.38 AED 19.77

$26.9 AED 98.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.2 AED 250

$40.9 AED 150

$136 AED 501

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.5 AED 34.88

$8.14 AED 29.9

$9.77 AED 35.87

Cappuccino

$5.81 AED 21.35

$3.45 AED 12.65

$9.49 AED 34.85

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

$1.25 AED 4.6

$0.66 AED 2.42

$3.36 AED 12.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.4 AED 1.48

$0.26 AED 0.95

$1.31 AED 4.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.02 AED 40.47

$8.18 AED 30.03

$13.78 AED 50.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.96 AED 40.26

$9.59 AED 35.23

$13.71 AED 50.4

Milk (1 liter)

$2.01 AED 7.39

$1.39 AED 5.1

$3.34 AED 12.26

White Bread (500g)

$1.59 AED 5.82

$0.83 AED 3.04

$2.47 AED 9.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.34 AED 8.58

$1.2 AED 4.4

$5.31 AED 19.49

Eggs

$3.62 AED 13.28

$1.62 AED 5.93

$6.75 AED 24.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.74 AED 39.42

$5.42 AED 19.91

$21.67 AED 79.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.49 AED 31.18

$4.57 AED 16.78

$13.98 AED 51.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.18 AED 41.05

$8.06 AED 29.6

$16.12 AED 59.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.48 AED 9.1

$1.39 AED 5.09

$3.89 AED 14.27

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 AED 6.45

$1.33 AED 4.9

$3.21 AED 11.77

Oranges (1kg)

$1.82 AED 6.68

$1.07 AED 3.94

$4.01 AED 14.73

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 AED 5.59

$0.84 AED 3.1

$2.8 AED 10.27

Potato (1kg)

$1.16 AED 4.27

$0.55 AED 2.01

$1.82 AED 6.69

Onion (1kg)

$1.45 AED 5.32

$0.84 AED 3.09

$2.24 AED 8.22

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.87 AED 6.85

$1.12 AED 4.1

$3.35 AED 12.31

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 AED 2.32

$0.42 AED 1.56

$0.85 AED 3.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.2 AED 22.79

$5.4 AED 19.84

$8.1 AED 29.74

Wine (Bottle)

$13.74 AED 50.5

$8.24 AED 30.27

$32.97 AED 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 AED 8.73

$1.39 AED 5.1

$2.95 AED 10.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 AED 8.12

$1.37 AED 5.02

$4.1 AED 15.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.66 AED 2.44

$0.53 AED 1.94

$1.06 AED 3.91

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.78 AED 94.7

$21.71 AED 79.7

$40.71 AED 149

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.34 AED 12.28

$1.39 AED 5.11

$3.62 AED 13.29

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 AED 2.04

$0.51 AED 1.89

$0.98 AED 3.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.94 AED 29.17

$15.89 AED 58.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 AED 2.78

$0.66 AED 2.42

$0.84 AED 3.1

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

$45.6K AED 167.4K

$30.3K AED 111.4K

$46K AED 168.9K

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

$21.9K AED 80.3K

$21.4K AED 78.7K

$21.9K AED 80.6K

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

$142 AED 521

$105 AED 384

$263 AED 965

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

$50.6 AED 186

$15.77 AED 57.9

$81.1 AED 298

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 371

$80.4 AED 295

$121 AED 444

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.7 AED 241

$32.75 AED 120

$114 AED 417

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.03 AED 129

$13.87 AED 50.9

$55.5 AED 204

Cinema Ticket

$13.71 AED 50.4

$10.96 AED 40.26

$27.41 AED 101

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

$621 AED 2,280

$401 AED 1,471

$1,603 AED 5,886

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.1K AED 44.5K

$6,717 AED 24.7K

$20.2K AED 74K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.2 AED 214

$21.9 AED 80.4

$82.2 AED 302

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.4 AED 211

$22.11 AED 81.2

$111 AED 406

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.5 AED 340

$51.6 AED 190

$137 AED 501

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.6 AED 325

$54 AED 198

$135 AED 496

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,461 AED 5,365

$1,032 AED 3,788

$2,036 AED 7,476

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,080 AED 3,966

$814 AED 2,988

$1,627 AED 5,976

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,051 AED 11.2K

$2,177 AED 7,996

$4,981 AED 18.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,294 AED 8,424

$1,631 AED 5,987

$4,076 AED 15K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,067 AED 22.3K

$4,761 AED 17.5K

$7,439 AED 27.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.6K AED 46.2K

$4,308 AED 15.8K

$32.5K AED 119.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,292 AED 12.1K

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.

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.