Cost of Living in Dubai - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,110 (excluding rent), and $2,911 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,654 (excluding rent), and $5,770 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.08 AED 40.67

$5.55 AED 20.36

$24.94 AED 91.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.9 AED 300

$54.6 AED 200

$164 AED 601

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.73 AED 35.71

$8.34 AED 30.61

$12.51 AED 45.90

Cappuccino

$5.56 AED 20.42

$3.26 AED 11.95

$8.13 AED 29.85

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

$1.19 AED 4.38

$0.80 AED 2.95

$2.66 AED 9.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 AED 3.44

$0.55 AED 2.02

$2.78 AED 10.18

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.48 AED 45.79

$6.94 AED 25.45

$16.64 AED 61.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.70 AED 50.3

$10.96 AED 40.21

$16.44 AED 60.3

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 AED 7.06

$1.34 AED 4.92

$3.29 AED 12.09

White Bread (500g)

$1.38 AED 5.08

$0.82 AED 3.01

$3.50 AED 12.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.26 AED 8.28

$1.38 AED 5.05

$4.13 AED 15.15

Eggs

$3.46 AED 12.68

$1.68 AED 6.15

$6.73 AED 24.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.23 AED 37.54

$4.12 AED 15.12

$27.50 AED 101

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.50 AED 34.85

$4.43 AED 16.25

$15.21 AED 55.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.76 AED 46.84

$6.89 AED 25.27

$19.27 AED 70.7

Apples (1kg)

$2.36 AED 8.66

$1.38 AED 5.06

$3.31 AED 12.16

Banana (1kg)

$1.90 AED 6.97

$1.27 AED 4.67

$2.71 AED 9.93

Oranges (1kg)

$1.93 AED 7.08

$0.97 AED 3.58

$4.18 AED 15.36

Tomato (1kg)

$1.54 AED 5.66

$0.83 AED 3.05

$2.92 AED 10.72

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.31

$0.74 AED 2.71

$1.58 AED 5.80

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 AED 4.85

$0.84 AED 3.08

$1.96 AED 7.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.39 AED 5.10

$0.71 AED 2.59

$2.13 AED 7.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 AED 2.55

$0.43 AED 1.56

$1.13 AED 4.15

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.51 AED 23.91

$5.43 AED 19.92

$8.14 AED 29.87

Wine (Bottle)

$19.37 AED 71.1

$11.07 AED 40.62

$27.68 AED 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.63 AED 9.65

$1.33 AED 4.90

$4.05 AED 14.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 AED 12.50

$1.88 AED 6.90

$6.71 AED 24.61

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 AED 6.11

$0.84 AED 3.07

$2.23 AED 8.17

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.3 AED 295

$53.6 AED 197

$96.4 AED 354

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.34 AED 12.25

$2.23 AED 8.17

$4.16 AED 15.28

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.79 AED 2.88

$0.51 AED 1.86

$1.30 AED 4.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.97 AED 29.26

$6.65 AED 24.39

$13.29 AED 48.78

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.75 AED 2.75

$0.67 AED 2.46

$0.94 AED 3.44

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

$33.0K AED 121.2K

$26.1K AED 95.9K

$45.1K AED 165.5K

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

$23.2K AED 85.1K

$20.8K AED 76.2K

$26.3K AED 96.5K

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

$213 AED 782

$137 AED 504

$356 AED 1,307

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

$62.6 AED 230

$27.27 AED 100

$109 AED 400

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 379

$69.2 AED 254

$138 AED 508

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$87.5 AED 321

$40.77 AED 150

$136 AED 499

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.67 AED 171

$27.48 AED 101

$68.7 AED 252

Cinema Ticket

$15.02 AED 55.1

$12.28 AED 45.08

$20.48 AED 75.2

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

$822 AED 3,015

$481 AED 1,765

$1,336 AED 4,902

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.1K AED 51.8K

$9,445 AED 34.7K

$20.2K AED 74.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.4 AED 306

$33.13 AED 122

$166 AED 608

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.1 AED 232

$27.12 AED 99.5

$108 AED 398

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 AED 418

$55.0 AED 202

$192 AED 706

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 AED 442

$54.2 AED 199

$203 AED 745

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,454 AED 9,005

$1,656 AED 6,078

$3,450 AED 12.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,591 AED 5,840

$1,110 AED 4,072

$2,081 AED 7,636

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,672 AED 17.1K

$3,234 AED 11.9K

$6,930 AED 25.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,003 AED 11.0K

$1,920 AED 7,048

$4,115 AED 15.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,211 AED 26.5K

$5,429 AED 19.9K

$10.5K AED 38.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,040 AED 14.8K

$2,951 AED 10.8K

$5,901 AED 21.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,088 AED 15.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.49

3.5

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Dubai Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

212

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

303

Mbps

154

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 Dubai - Frequently Asked Questions

Dubai offers a high standard of living with a wide range of options, so value depends on your choices. In prime waterfront and luxury neighborhoods, costs feel premium, while more affordable compounds, older districts, or shared housing can balance your budget. Cost of Living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates reflects this split, with strong access to services and a vibrant lifestyle that stays convenient across many pockets. You can tailor it by dining, transit, and housing: choose towers with full amenities or compact apartments outside the core; compare seasonal events and lease terms when you can. Tip: Start with a short-term stay in a couple of neighborhoods to gauge fit.

On a day-to-day basis, your housing hunt in Dubai tends to center on neighborhoods, lease terms, and flexibility. Use reputable portals and local brokers, and be prepared to negotiate; options range from serviced apartments to shared compounds, with varying amenities. Grocery runs mix local markets and larger hypermarkets, and dining spans casual outlets to fine spots, with delivery available. For work, many people use coworking spaces or business lounges in transit hubs and business districts. Transit options include metro, buses, ride-hailing, and car sharing, while parking can be limited in busy zones. Dubai, United Arab Emirates living cost varies by district, so weigh commute time against rent when you compare districts. Tip: Map a week of errands and transit routes to minimize backtracking.

Quality of life in Dubai comes from planning around priorities and staying flexible. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate essentials, discretionary spending, and savings, then adjust as you try different neighborhoods and housing types. Seasonality matters: summers are hot and indoor-focused, winters invite outdoor activities and waterfront outings, so plan activities accordingly. Neighborhood fit matters too – coastal communities versus inland residential areas offer different rhythms and access to services. Look for leases with reasonable terms, and consider trying a couple of areas before committing long term. Tip: Keep a short list of musts and a flexible plan that lets you pivot with work and weather.