Cost of Living in Dubai - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,100 (excluding rent), and $2,935 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,719 (excluding rent), and $5,775 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.73 AED 39.37

$5.37 AED 19.70

$24.14 AED 88.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$82.2 AED 302

$54.8 AED 201

$164 AED 604

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.32 AED 34.21

$7.99 AED 29.33

$11.98 AED 43.98

Cappuccino

$5.72 AED 21.01

$3.35 AED 12.29

$8.37 AED 30.70

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

$1.23 AED 4.53

$0.83 AED 3.04

$2.75 AED 10.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 AED 3.43

$0.55 AED 2.01

$2.76 AED 10.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.21 AED 44.81

$6.79 AED 24.91

$16.29 AED 59.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.41 AED 49.22

$10.72 AED 39.35

$16.09 AED 59.1

Milk (1 liter)

$2.01 AED 7.37

$1.40 AED 5.14

$3.44 AED 12.62

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 AED 5.02

$0.81 AED 2.98

$3.46 AED 12.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.20 AED 8.09

$1.34 AED 4.93

$4.03 AED 14.80

Eggs

$3.37 AED 12.38

$1.64 AED 6.01

$6.57 AED 24.10

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.11 AED 37.09

$4.07 AED 14.94

$27.17 AED 99.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.49 AED 34.81

$4.42 AED 16.23

$15.20 AED 55.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.48 AED 45.78

$6.73 AED 24.71

$18.84 AED 69.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.39 AED 8.78

$1.40 AED 5.12

$3.36 AED 12.32

Banana (1kg)

$1.96 AED 7.20

$1.31 AED 4.82

$2.79 AED 10.25

Oranges (1kg)

$1.86 AED 6.84

$0.94 AED 3.46

$4.05 AED 14.85

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 AED 5.49

$0.81 AED 2.96

$2.83 AED 10.40

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 AED 4.34

$0.74 AED 2.72

$1.59 AED 5.84

Onion (1kg)

$1.30 AED 4.78

$0.83 AED 3.04

$1.93 AED 7.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.43 AED 5.26

$0.73 AED 2.67

$2.20 AED 8.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 AED 2.54

$0.42 AED 1.55

$1.12 AED 4.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.68 AED 24.50

$5.56 AED 20.42

$8.34 AED 30.61

Wine (Bottle)

$18.88 AED 69.3

$10.79 AED 39.59

$26.98 AED 99.0

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 AED 9.74

$1.35 AED 4.94

$4.09 AED 15.01

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 AED 12.59

$1.89 AED 6.95

$6.75 AED 24.77

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.60 AED 5.86

$0.80 AED 2.95

$2.14 AED 7.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$81.0 AED 297

$54.0 AED 198

$97.2 AED 357

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.22 AED 11.80

$2.14 AED 7.87

$4.01 AED 14.72

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.80 AED 2.92

$0.51 AED 1.89

$1.32 AED 4.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.28 AED 30.40

$6.90 AED 25.34

$13.81 AED 50.7

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)

$32.7K AED 120.0K

$25.9K AED 95.0K

$44.7K AED 163.9K

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

$22.4K AED 82.2K

$20.0K AED 73.5K

$25.4K AED 93.1K

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

$215 AED 790

$139 AED 509

$360 AED 1,321

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

$62.6 AED 230

$27.28 AED 100

$109 AED 400

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 379

$69.2 AED 254

$138 AED 508

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$89.1 AED 327

$41.51 AED 152

$138 AED 508

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.01 AED 173

$27.69 AED 102

$69.2 AED 254

Cinema Ticket

$15.14 AED 55.6

$12.38 AED 45.45

$20.64 AED 75.8

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

$834 AED 3,062

$488 AED 1,792

$1,356 AED 4,978

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.5K AED 53.1K

$9,691 AED 35.6K

$20.8K AED 76.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.7 AED 307

$33.26 AED 122

$166 AED 610

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.5 AED 229

$26.85 AED 98.5

$107 AED 394

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 AED 411

$54.1 AED 198

$189 AED 695

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 AED 448

$54.9 AED 201

$206 AED 755

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,390 AED 8,769

$1,613 AED 5,919

$3,360 AED 12.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,560 AED 5,726

$1,088 AED 3,993

$2,040 AED 7,487

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,546 AED 16.7K

$3,146 AED 11.5K

$6,743 AED 24.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,006 AED 11.0K

$1,922 AED 7,055

$4,119 AED 15.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,269 AED 26.7K

$5,468 AED 20.1K

$10.6K AED 38.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,104 AED 15.1K

$2,983 AED 10.9K

$5,965 AED 21.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,017 AED 14.7K

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: March 1, 2026

Dubai Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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.