😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,529 in Abu Dhabi versus $1,332 in Anyang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,891 in Abu Dhabi versus $2,074 in Anyang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,254 in Abu Dhabi versus $2,815 in Anyang.
🌍Living in Abu Dhabi is roughly 90% more expensive than in Anyang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Abu Dhabi is 88% above, Anyang is 1% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.50AED 31.21
$5.83₩7,903
45.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.2AED 203
$34.42₩46.7K
60.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.69AED 35.58
$6.39₩8,673
51.64%
Cappuccino
$6.12AED 22.49
$3.56₩4,823
71.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17AED 4.30
$1.54₩2,092
-24.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41AED 1.49
$0.57₩775
-28.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.78AED 39.61
$2.99₩4,061
260.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$11.08AED 40.69
$3.53₩4,790
213.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93AED 7.09
$2.23₩3,028
-13.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57AED 5.75
$3.11₩4,220
-49.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.18AED 7.99
$2.25₩3,046
-3.11%
Eggs
$3.48AED 12.78
$3.27₩4,440
6.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.34AED 45.31
$15.09₩20.5K
-18.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.20AED 37.46
$7.54₩10.2K
35.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.29AED 37.78
$10.88₩14.8K
-5.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.55AED 9.36
$7.28₩9,878
-64.97%
Banana(1kg)
$2.04AED 7.50
$3.23₩4,385
-36.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87AED 6.86
$7.35₩9,973
-74.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49AED 5.49
$6.91₩9,373
-78.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15AED 4.22
$3.34₩4,524
-65.57%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17AED 4.31
$2.38₩3,228
-50.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.64AED 6.02
$1.99₩2,693
-17.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56AED 2.08
$1.24₩1,683
-54.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.99AED 25.67
$3.37₩4,568
107.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.63AED 50.1
$17.99₩24.4K
-24.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.54AED 9.33
$2.14₩2,908
18.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54AED 9.32
$3.05₩4,137
-16.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.66AED 2.41
$1.07₩1,451
-38.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.56AED 97.6
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.25AED 11.93
$3.04₩4,121
6.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56AED 2.05
$0.60₩814
-6.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.33AED 30.60
$13.91₩18.9K
-40.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92AED 3.39
$1.17₩1,592
-21.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8KAED 109.3K
$28.3K₩38.4M
5.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6KAED 83.0K
$34.1K₩46.2M
-33.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$180AED 663
$204₩276.9K
-11.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.2AED 214
$24.28₩32.9K
139.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$87.3AED 321
$16.61₩22.5K
425.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$88.7AED 326
$52.9₩71.8K
67.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$48.36AED 178
$11.56₩15.7K
318.34%
Cinema Ticket
$14.99AED 55.1
$10.75₩14.6K
39.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$725AED 2,662
$302₩410.0K
139.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.4KAED 56.5K
$17.6K₩23.9M
-12.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.8AED 234
$64.6₩87.7K
-1.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.56AED 178
$62.2₩84.4K
-21.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114AED 418
$72.4₩98.1K
57.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115AED 423
$97.3₩132.0K
18.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,956AED 7,186
$444₩602.8K
340.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,381AED 5,071
$353₩479.4K
290.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,009AED 14.7K
$1,152₩1.6M
247.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,722AED 9,997
$712₩965.6K
282.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,027AED 18.5K
$7,025₩9.5M
-28.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,807AED 10.3K
$5,507₩7.5M
-49.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abu Dhabi
Anyang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,913AED 10.7K
$1,679₩2.3M
73.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.68
4.95
-5.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abu Dhabi: September 22, 2026
Last update for Anyang: September 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,956 in Abu Dhabi and $444 in Anyang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Abu Dhabi pays 74% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $55.0 in Abu Dhabi vs $34.00 in Anyang. Groceries flip the comparison at $281 vs $401, with Abu Dhabi cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abu Dhabi vs Anyang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Abu Dhabi or Anyang?
Anyang wins on cost – living expenses run 90% lower than in Abu Dhabi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Anyang the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Abu Dhabi or in Anyang?
Average pay runs 74% higher in Abu Dhabi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Abu Dhabi compared to Anyang?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,956 in Abu Dhabi versus $444 in Anyang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Abu Dhabi and in Anyang?
Childcare runs $725 in Abu Dhabi versus $302 in Anyang. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Abu Dhabi and in Anyang?
Dining out is cheaper in Anyang – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $55.0 in Abu Dhabi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Abu Dhabi or in Anyang?
At $1,332 in Anyang versus $2,529 in Abu Dhabi, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Anyang but tight or insufficient in Abu Dhabi. The gap between the two cities makes Anyang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Abu Dhabi or Anyang?
Both work as nomad bases, but Anyang delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,332 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Anyang hard to pass up.
How safe is Abu Dhabi compared to Anyang?
Safety-wise, Abu Dhabi and Anyang are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Anyang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 90% less than in Abu Dhabi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.