😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,569 in Abu Dhabi versus $2,348 in Oxford, MS.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,860 in Abu Dhabi versus $3,946 in Oxford, MS.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,150 in Abu Dhabi versus $5,545 in Oxford, MS.
🌍Living in Abu Dhabi is roughly 9% more expensive than in Oxford, MS, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Abu Dhabi86% above, Oxford, MS70% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.26AED 30.35
$17.09$17.09
-51.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.1AED 224
$59.6$59.6
2.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.63AED 35.35
$11.20$11.20
-14.02%
Cappuccino
$5.85AED 21.47
$4.91$4.91
19.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20AED 4.39
$1.51$1.51
-20.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44AED 1.60
$1.85$1.85
-76.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$11.61AED 42.63
$4.44$4.44
161.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.76AED 39.50
$7.13$7.13
50.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.91AED 7.00
$0.87$0.87
119.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57AED 5.76
$2.92$2.92
-46.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.12AED 7.77
$2.73$2.73
-22.34%
Eggs
$3.38AED 12.43
$4.03$4.03
-16.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.15AED 44.61
$9.76$9.76
24.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.09AED 37.06
$9.87$9.87
2.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.50AED 38.58
$15.38$15.38
-31.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.57AED 9.44
$3.91$3.91
-34.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.94AED 7.13
$1.39$1.39
39.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85AED 6.80
$3.89$3.89
-52.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.48AED 5.44
$3.09$3.09
-52.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.19AED 4.37
$2.62$2.62
-54.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18AED 4.33
$2.20$2.20
-46.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.71AED 6.29
$1.75$1.75
-2.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56AED 2.07
$1.86$1.86
-69.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.75AED 24.77
$7.32$7.32
-7.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.47AED 49.49
$12.02$12.02
12.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.63AED 9.65
$1.71$1.71
53.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58AED 9.47
$3.19$3.19
-19.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67AED 2.45
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.76AED 94.6
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.32AED 12.20
$4.24$4.24
-21.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.52AED 1.90
$1.88$1.88
-72.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25AED 30.29
$32.65$32.65
-74.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.89AED 3.29
$0.73$0.73
21.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0KAED 110.1K
$20.4K$20.4K
47.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8KAED 83.7K
$25.9K$25.9K
-11.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$182AED 668
$141$141
29.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.4AED 214
$49.50$49.50
17.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.7AED 311
$66.1$66.1
28.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$91.5AED 336
$24.92$24.92
266.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$48.31AED 177
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.09AED 55.4
$12.08$12.08
24.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$739AED 2,714
$1,524$1,524
-51.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0KAED 55.2K
$8,315$8,315
80.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.2AED 239
$63.0$63.0
3.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.33AED 181
$52.7$52.7
-6.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$109AED 400
$85.3$85.3
27.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113AED 414
$168$168
-32.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,969AED 7,231
$1,295$1,295
52.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,357AED 4,985
$1,255$1,255
8.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,989AED 14.7K
$3,103$3,103
28.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,725AED 10.0K
$3,153$3,153
-13.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,953AED 18.2K
$3,365$3,365
47.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,877AED 10.6K
$2,954$2,954
-2.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abu Dhabi
Oxford, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,905AED 10.7K
$4,844$4,844
-40.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.58
6.23
-26.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abu Dhabi: September 7, 2026
Last update for Oxford, MS: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,969 in Abu Dhabi and $1,295 in Oxford, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Oxford, MS pays 67% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $61.0 in Abu Dhabi vs $60.0 in Oxford, MS. Groceries flip the comparison at $279 vs $329, 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 Oxford, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Abu Dhabi or Oxford, MS?
Oxford, MS wins on cost – living expenses run 9% lower than in Abu Dhabi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Oxford, MS the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Abu Dhabi or in Oxford, MS?
On paper, salaries run 67% lower in Oxford, MS. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Abu Dhabi compared to Oxford, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,969 in Abu Dhabi versus $1,295 in Oxford, MS. 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 Oxford, MS?
Childcare runs $739 in Abu Dhabi versus $1,524 in Oxford, MS. 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 Oxford, MS?
Dining out is cheaper in Oxford, MS – a meal for two runs $60.0 versus $61.0 in Abu Dhabi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Abu Dhabi or in Oxford, MS?
At $2,348 in Oxford, MS versus $2,569 in Abu Dhabi, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Oxford, MS but tight or insufficient in Abu Dhabi. The gap between the two cities makes Oxford, MS the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Abu Dhabi or Oxford, MS?
Both work as nomad bases, but Oxford, MS delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,348 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Oxford, MS hard to pass up.
How safe is Abu Dhabi compared to Oxford, MS?
Safety-wise, Abu Dhabi and Oxford, MS 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 Oxford, MS gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Abu Dhabi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.