Cost of Living in Mussaffah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,027 (excluding rent), and $1,771 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,109 (excluding rent), and $3,462 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.99 AED 25.67

$4.19 AED 15.38

$8.39 AED 30.79

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.26 AED 118

$67.2 AED 247

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.34 AED 34.27

$8.00 AED 29.38

$9.60 AED 35.24

Cappuccino

$5.04 AED 18.50

$2.24 AED 8.23

$8.41 AED 30.85

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

$1.00 AED 3.66

$0.69 AED 2.54

$1.38 AED 5.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 AED 1.38

$0.28 AED 1.04

$0.86 AED 3.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.38 AED 34.43

$7.96 AED 29.20

$13.41 AED 49.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.67 AED 35.47

$13.81 AED 50.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 AED 6.69

$1.10 AED 4.03

$3.02 AED 11.09

White Bread (500g)

$1.14 AED 4.20

$0.67 AED 2.44

$1.73 AED 6.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.08 AED 7.63

$1.27 AED 4.65

$3.64 AED 13.37

Eggs

$2.86 AED 10.49

$1.11 AED 4.09

$6.95 AED 25.52

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.15 AED 37.27

$5.37 AED 19.70

$21.45 AED 78.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.71 AED 24.61

$3.19 AED 11.71

$13.82 AED 50.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.95 AED 32.86

$4.19 AED 15.39

$16.80 AED 61.7

Apples (1kg)

$1.85 AED 6.79

$1.08 AED 3.96

$3.77 AED 13.83

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 AED 5.65

$1.38 AED 5.06

$3.31 AED 12.15

Oranges (1kg)

$1.43 AED 5.26

$0.53 AED 1.96

$4.03 AED 14.80

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.29

$0.80 AED 2.93

$2.65 AED 9.73

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 AED 3.83

$0.55 AED 2.03

$1.84 AED 6.76

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 AED 4.50

$0.55 AED 2.03

$2.23 AED 8.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.52 AED 5.57

$0.84 AED 3.09

$3.35 AED 12.31

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 AED 2.13

$0.39 AED 1.43

$0.78 AED 2.86

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.38 AED 23.41

$5.55 AED 20.38

$8.33 AED 30.56

Wine (Bottle)

$13.67 AED 50.2

$6.29 AED 23.08

$32.82 AED 120

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 AED 7.22

$1.40 AED 5.14

$2.98 AED 10.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 AED 7.91

$1.33 AED 4.89

$5.34 AED 19.60

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.59 AED 5.85

$1.07 AED 3.91

$2.66 AED 9.76

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.2 AED 192

$21.70 AED 79.7

$52.2 AED 192

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 AED 12.04

$3.55 AED 13.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 AED 2.06

$0.50 AED 1.83

$1.02 AED 3.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.76 AED 17.47

$15.87 AED 58.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.74 AED 2.73

$0.65 AED 2.38

$0.83 AED 3.04

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

$44.5K AED 163.4K

$23.0K AED 84.6K

$44.9K AED 164.8K

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

$22.4K AED 82.3K

$22.0K AED 80.7K

$22.5K AED 82.6K

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

$141 AED 518

$104 AED 381

$403 AED 1,480

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

$65.3 AED 240

$15.84 AED 58.2

$81.5 AED 299

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 379

$82.3 AED 302

$124 AED 455

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.1 AED 235

$33.29 AED 122

$97.4 AED 357

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.15 AED 147

$15.23 AED 55.9

$55.4 AED 203

Cinema Ticket

$12.82 AED 47.03

$10.39 AED 38.12

$18.89 AED 69.3

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

$636 AED 2,332

$273 AED 1,004

$684 AED 2,509

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,918 AED 25.4K

$11.1K AED 40.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.1 AED 195

$22.17 AED 81.4

$83.2 AED 305

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.6 AED 208

$20.47 AED 75.1

$126 AED 461

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.5 AED 336

$51.1 AED 188

$132 AED 486

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.0 AED 305

$55.5 AED 204

$139 AED 509

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$747 AED 2,741

$613 AED 2,251

$1,136 AED 4,169

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$754 AED 2,766

$543 AED 1,993

$1,494 AED 5,482

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,495 AED 9,155

$1,081 AED 3,968

$4,095 AED 15.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,350 AED 4,953

$945 AED 3,467

$2,969 AED 10.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,022 AED 18.4K

$4,102 AED 15.1K

$6,593 AED 24.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,316 AED 8,499

$2,014 AED 7,391

$4,397 AED 16.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,970 AED 10.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.75

2.99

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Mussaffah - Frequently Asked Questions

From a budgeting standpoint, Mussaffah can feel practical for expats and digital nomads who want space without paying central Abu Dhabi premiums. You typically find more affordable housing options and larger layouts than the city's core, with a quieter street rhythm and easier access by car. Local markets and casual eateries help keep daily meals inexpensive compared with upscale districts. If you work remotely, you will benefit from reliable broadband in many residential blocks and a lower commute once you are settled. For a starting point, compare the Cost of Living in Mussaffah, United Arab Emirates with other emirate pockets to gauge value and trade-offs. Tip: start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods before committing.

In Mussaffah, housing search mostly happens in low-rise compounds and apartment blocks within easy reach of industrial zones. You will notice larger floor plans relative to prime city-center stock, with straightforward maintenance and clearer parking. For groceries and meals, local markets and casual eateries keep options affordable, while larger supermarkets cover international staples. Transport is car-centric; many residents drive or share rides, though limited bus routes connect to Abu Dhabi's core. If you rely on coworking, plan for options in nearby business parks or the city center, plus reliable home internet for hybrid work. Mussaffah, United Arab Emirates living cost insights help you shape a practical monthly plan. Tip: map your errands by a single weekly loop to cut trips.

Quality of life in Mussaffah blends practical convenience with the comfort of a quieter residential vibe. Build a simple budgeting framework around housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and occasional leisure, then adjust as seasons shift. Summers demand conscious cooling choices, while cooler months invite outdoor activities in more open spaces around Abu Dhabi. To save, borrow the habit of batch cooking, buy in bulk when promotions align, and use community facilities or parks for free or low-cost recreation. Neighborhood fit comes from proximity to work, schools, and supermarkets, plus a quick path to larger emirate hubs for occasional needs. Tip: visit at different times of day and seasons to gauge crowds, noise, and shade.