Cost of Living in Dubai - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,116 (excluding rent), and $2,867 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,701 (excluding rent), and $5,950 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.83 AED 39.79

$5.42 AED 19.91

$24.39 AED 89.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.3 AED 299

$54.2 AED 199

$163 AED 597

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.63 AED 35.35

$8.25 AED 30.30

$12.37 AED 45.43

Cappuccino

$5.54 AED 20.35

$3.24 AED 11.90

$8.10 AED 29.74

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

$1.20 AED 4.40

$0.80 AED 2.96

$2.67 AED 9.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 AED 3.44

$0.55 AED 2.02

$2.77 AED 10.17

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.12 AED 44.49

$6.74 AED 24.73

$16.16 AED 59.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.79 AED 50.6

$11.02 AED 40.48

$16.54 AED 60.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 AED 6.96

$1.32 AED 4.85

$3.24 AED 11.91

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 AED 5.03

$0.81 AED 2.98

$3.47 AED 12.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.25 AED 8.25

$1.37 AED 5.03

$4.11 AED 15.10

Eggs

$3.31 AED 12.14

$1.60 AED 5.89

$6.44 AED 23.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.03 AED 36.82

$4.04 AED 14.83

$26.95 AED 99.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.51 AED 34.92

$4.43 AED 16.28

$15.24 AED 56.0

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.77 AED 46.88

$6.89 AED 25.30

$19.28 AED 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.30 AED 8.44

$1.34 AED 4.93

$3.23 AED 11.85

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 AED 6.85

$1.25 AED 4.59

$2.66 AED 9.75

Oranges (1kg)

$1.91 AED 7.02

$0.97 AED 3.55

$4.15 AED 15.24

Tomato (1kg)

$1.55 AED 5.70

$0.84 AED 3.08

$2.94 AED 10.80

Potato (1kg)

$1.22 AED 4.49

$0.77 AED 2.82

$1.65 AED 6.05

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 AED 4.86

$0.84 AED 3.09

$1.96 AED 7.20

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.38 AED 5.06

$0.70 AED 2.57

$2.12 AED 7.77

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 AED 2.55

$0.42 AED 1.56

$1.13 AED 4.15

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.49 AED 23.84

$5.41 AED 19.86

$8.11 AED 29.78

Wine (Bottle)

$19.00 AED 69.8

$10.85 AED 39.86

$32.57 AED 120

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 AED 9.79

$1.35 AED 4.97

$4.11 AED 15.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 AED 13.05

$1.96 AED 7.20

$6.99 AED 25.69

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.67 AED 6.15

$0.84 AED 3.09

$2.24 AED 8.22

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$83.3 AED 306

$55.5 AED 204

$100.0 AED 367

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 AED 12.21

$2.22 AED 8.14

$4.15 AED 15.23

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.84 AED 3.08

$0.54 AED 1.99

$1.39 AED 5.10

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.24 AED 30.26

$6.87 AED 25.22

$13.74 AED 50.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.73 AED 2.70

$0.66 AED 2.41

$0.92 AED 3.37

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

$33.2K AED 122.0K

$26.3K AED 96.6K

$45.4K AED 166.6K

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)

$212 AED 779

$137 AED 502

$355 AED 1,303

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

$61.3 AED 225

$26.71 AED 98.1

$107 AED 392

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 371

$67.8 AED 249

$136 AED 498

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$88.5 AED 325

$41.24 AED 151

$137 AED 505

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$45.62 AED 168

$26.86 AED 98.7

$67.2 AED 247

Cinema Ticket

$15.28 AED 56.1

$12.49 AED 45.88

$20.83 AED 76.5

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

$835 AED 3,066

$489 AED 1,794

$1,357 AED 4,985

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.2K AED 52.3K

$9,542 AED 35.0K

$20.4K AED 75.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.0 AED 305

$32.97 AED 121

$165 AED 605

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.5 AED 233

$27.28 AED 100

$109 AED 401

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 AED 419

$55.1 AED 202

$193 AED 708

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 AED 452

$55.4 AED 203

$208 AED 763

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,394 AED 8,790

$1,616 AED 5,933

$3,366 AED 12.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,563 AED 5,738

$1,090 AED 4,001

$2,043 AED 7,503

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,609 AED 16.9K

$3,190 AED 11.7K

$6,837 AED 25.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,039 AED 11.2K

$1,943 AED 7,137

$4,164 AED 15.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,379 AED 27.1K

$5,140 AED 18.9K

$9,319 AED 34.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,050 AED 14.9K

$2,958 AED 10.9K

$5,916 AED 21.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,114 AED 15.1K

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: December 7, 2025

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.