Cost of Living in Dubai - Updated Prices & Insights

77.44

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,092 (excluding rent), and $2,944 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,649 (excluding rent), and $5,984 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.03 AED 40.52

$5.52 AED 20.28

$24.83 AED 91.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$82.3 AED 302

$54.8 AED 201

$165 AED 604

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.28 AED 34.08

$7.96 AED 29.22

$11.93 AED 43.81

Cappuccino

$5.55 AED 20.38

$3.25 AED 11.92

$8.11 AED 29.78

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

$1.21 AED 4.44

$0.81 AED 2.98

$2.69 AED 9.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.95 AED 3.48

$0.56 AED 2.04

$2.8 AED 10.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.43 AED 45.66

$6.91 AED 25.38

$16.59 AED 60.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.89 AED 51

$11.11 AED 40.78

$16.66 AED 61.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 AED 7.28

$1.38 AED 5.08

$3.39 AED 12.47

White Bread (500g)

$1.41 AED 5.19

$0.84 AED 3.08

$3.58 AED 13.14

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.29 AED 8.42

$1.4 AED 5.14

$4.2 AED 15.41

Eggs

$3.38 AED 12.42

$1.64 AED 6.03

$6.59 AED 24.18

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.05 AED 36.9

$4.05 AED 14.86

$27.01 AED 99.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.17 AED 33.67

$4.28 AED 15.7

$14.69 AED 54

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.8 AED 46.99

$6.9 AED 25.35

$19.33 AED 71

Apples (1kg)

$2.37 AED 8.7

$1.38 AED 5.08

$3.32 AED 12.21

Banana (1kg)

$1.96 AED 7.18

$1.31 AED 4.81

$2.78 AED 10.23

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 AED 6.85

$0.94 AED 3.46

$4.05 AED 14.87

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 AED 5.74

$0.84 AED 3.1

$2.96 AED 10.88

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 AED 4.36

$0.75 AED 2.74

$1.6 AED 5.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.26 AED 4.62

$0.8 AED 2.94

$1.86 AED 6.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.46 AED 5.36

$0.74 AED 2.72

$2.24 AED 8.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 AED 2.37

$0.39 AED 1.45

$1.05 AED 3.85

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.6 AED 24.23

$5.5 AED 20.19

$8.24 AED 30.27

Wine (Bottle)

$16.62 AED 61

$7.75 AED 28.45

$27.69 AED 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.6 AED 9.55

$1.32 AED 4.84

$4.01 AED 14.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.36 AED 12.36

$1.86 AED 6.82

$6.62 AED 24.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.59 AED 5.84

$0.8 AED 2.94

$2.13 AED 7.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$83.1 AED 305

$55.4 AED 204

$99.8 AED 366

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 AED 12.15

$2.21 AED 8.1

$4.13 AED 15.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.85 AED 3.1

$0.55 AED 2.01

$1.4 AED 5.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.1 AED 29.75

$6.75 AED 24.79

$13.5 AED 49.59

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.73 AED 2.69

$0.66 AED 2.41

$0.92 AED 3.36

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

$32.9K AED 120.9K

$26.1K AED 95.7K

$45K AED 165.2K

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

$22.7K AED 83.4K

$20.3K AED 74.6K

$25.7K AED 94.5K

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

$216 AED 794

$139 AED 512

$361 AED 1,327

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

$63.3 AED 233

$27.58 AED 101

$110 AED 405

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 377

$68.9 AED 253

$138 AED 506

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$88.4 AED 324

$41.16 AED 151

$137 AED 504

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.27 AED 170

$27.25 AED 100

$68.1 AED 250

Cinema Ticket

$15.23 AED 55.9

$12.46 AED 45.74

$20.76 AED 76.3

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

$850 AED 3,122

$498 AED 1,828

$1,383 AED 5,077

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14K AED 51.4K

$9,379 AED 34.4K

$20.1K AED 73.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$80.6 AED 296

$32.03 AED 118

$160 AED 588

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.5 AED 233

$27.27 AED 100

$109 AED 401

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 AED 417

$54.7 AED 201

$192 AED 703

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 AED 449

$55 AED 202

$206 AED 757

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,420 AED 8,885

$1,633 AED 5,997

$3,402 AED 12.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,589 AED 5,833

$1,108 AED 4,068

$2,077 AED 7,627

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,593 AED 16.9K

$3,180 AED 11.7K

$6,814 AED 25K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,980 AED 10.9K

$1,906 AED 6,997

$4,083 AED 15K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,592 AED 27.9K

$5,347 AED 19.6K

$8,911 AED 32.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,810 AED 14K

$2,737 AED 10K

$5,025 AED 18.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,034 AED 14.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.49

3.5

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

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.