Cost of Living in Dubai - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,101 (excluding rent), and $2,898 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,696 (excluding rent), and $5,980 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.78 AED 39.55

$5.39 AED 19.80

$24.26 AED 89.0

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.2 AED 294

$53.5 AED 196

$160 AED 589

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.59 AED 35.21

$8.23 AED 30.19

$12.33 AED 45.26

Cappuccino

$5.45 AED 19.98

$3.19 AED 11.69

$7.96 AED 29.21

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

$1.19 AED 4.37

$0.80 AED 2.94

$2.65 AED 9.74

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.88 AED 3.22

$0.52 AED 1.89

$2.59 AED 9.52

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.21 AED 44.80

$6.79 AED 24.91

$16.28 AED 59.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.63 AED 50.0

$10.90 AED 40.00

$16.35 AED 60.0

Milk (1 liter)

$1.94 AED 7.12

$1.35 AED 4.96

$3.32 AED 12.19

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 AED 5.02

$0.81 AED 2.97

$3.46 AED 12.68

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.22 AED 8.14

$1.35 AED 4.97

$4.06 AED 14.90

Eggs

$3.30 AED 12.13

$1.60 AED 5.88

$6.43 AED 23.61

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.09 AED 37.05

$4.07 AED 14.92

$27.14 AED 99.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.20 AED 33.75

$4.29 AED 15.74

$14.73 AED 54.1

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.78 AED 46.90

$6.90 AED 25.31

$19.30 AED 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 AED 8.59

$1.37 AED 5.01

$3.29 AED 12.06

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 AED 7.11

$1.30 AED 4.77

$2.76 AED 10.13

Oranges (1kg)

$1.91 AED 7.02

$0.97 AED 3.55

$4.15 AED 15.23

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 AED 5.62

$0.83 AED 3.03

$2.90 AED 10.64

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 AED 4.36

$0.75 AED 2.74

$1.60 AED 5.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 AED 4.67

$0.81 AED 2.97

$1.89 AED 6.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 AED 5.32

$0.74 AED 2.70

$2.23 AED 8.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 AED 2.52

$0.42 AED 1.54

$1.12 AED 4.10

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.51 AED 23.88

$5.42 AED 19.90

$8.13 AED 29.83

Wine (Bottle)

$19.19 AED 70.4

$10.96 AED 40.23

$32.89 AED 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 AED 10.05

$1.39 AED 5.10

$4.22 AED 15.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 AED 12.64

$1.90 AED 6.97

$6.78 AED 24.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.62 AED 5.94

$0.81 AED 2.99

$2.17 AED 7.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.6 AED 296

$53.7 AED 197

$96.7 AED 355

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.23 AED 11.85

$2.15 AED 7.90

$4.03 AED 14.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.79 AED 2.90

$0.51 AED 1.87

$1.31 AED 4.80

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.99 AED 29.31

$6.66 AED 24.43

$13.32 AED 48.87

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 AED 2.89

$0.71 AED 2.59

$0.99 AED 3.62

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

$33.1K AED 121.3K

$26.2K AED 96.1K

$45.2K AED 165.8K

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

$22.6K AED 83.0K

$20.2K AED 74.3K

$25.6K AED 94.1K

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

$215 AED 788

$138 AED 508

$359 AED 1,317

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

$63.5 AED 233

$27.66 AED 102

$111 AED 406

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 369

$67.5 AED 248

$135 AED 495

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$85.9 AED 315

$40.03 AED 147

$133 AED 490

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$45.94 AED 169

$27.06 AED 99.3

$67.6 AED 248

Cinema Ticket

$15.02 AED 55.1

$12.29 AED 45.09

$20.48 AED 75.2

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

$827 AED 3,034

$484 AED 1,776

$1,344 AED 4,934

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.2K AED 52.2K

$9,526 AED 35.0K

$20.4K AED 74.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.1 AED 305

$33.02 AED 121

$165 AED 606

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.9 AED 235

$27.46 AED 101

$110 AED 403

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 AED 419

$55.1 AED 202

$193 AED 708

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 AED 453

$55.5 AED 204

$208 AED 764

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,433 AED 8,928

$1,642 AED 6,026

$3,421 AED 12.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,555 AED 5,708

$1,085 AED 3,981

$2,034 AED 7,464

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,541 AED 16.7K

$3,143 AED 11.5K

$6,736 AED 24.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,004 AED 11.0K

$1,922 AED 7,052

$4,118 AED 15.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,123 AED 26.1K

$5,354 AED 19.7K

$10.4K AED 38.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,087 AED 15.0K

$2,975 AED 10.9K

$5,950 AED 21.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,901 AED 14.3K

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: April 12, 2026

Dubai Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.