Cost of Living in Mussaffah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,027 (excluding rent), and $1,802 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,050 (excluding rent), and $3,417 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.61 AED 24.26

$3.96 AED 14.53

$7.93 AED 29.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.66 AED 120

$68 AED 250

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.29 AED 34.11

$7.96 AED 29.24

$9.55 AED 35.07

Cappuccino

$4.96 AED 18.23

$2.21 AED 8.11

$8.28 AED 30.39

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

$1.01 AED 3.73

$0.7 AED 2.58

$1.41 AED 5.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 AED 1.37

$0.28 AED 1.02

$0.85 AED 3.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.38 AED 34.43

$7.95 AED 29.19

$13.4 AED 49.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.68 AED 35.55

$13.84 AED 50.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 AED 6.72

$1.1 AED 4.04

$3.03 AED 11.13

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 AED 4.21

$0.67 AED 2.45

$1.73 AED 6.37

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.99 AED 7.31

$1.21 AED 4.45

$3.49 AED 12.82

Eggs

$2.88 AED 10.58

$1.12 AED 4.12

$7.01 AED 25.73

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.21 AED 37.51

$5.4 AED 19.83

$21.58 AED 79.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.9 AED 25.35

$3.29 AED 12.07

$14.23 AED 52.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.47 AED 31.12

$3.97 AED 14.58

$15.9 AED 58.4

Apples (1kg)

$1.89 AED 6.95

$1.1 AED 4.05

$3.86 AED 14.16

Banana (1kg)

$1.55 AED 5.71

$1.39 AED 5.11

$3.34 AED 12.28

Oranges (1kg)

$1.49 AED 5.46

$0.55 AED 2.03

$4.18 AED 15.36

Tomato (1kg)

$1.18 AED 4.32

$0.8 AED 2.95

$2.66 AED 9.78

Potato (1kg)

$1 AED 3.68

$0.53 AED 1.95

$1.77 AED 6.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.3

$0.53 AED 1.94

$2.13 AED 7.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.51 AED 5.56

$0.84 AED 3.08

$3.34 AED 12.28

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 AED 2.3

$0.42 AED 1.55

$0.84 AED 3.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.1 AED 22.39

$5.31 AED 19.5

$7.96 AED 29.23

Wine (Bottle)

$13.71 AED 50.4

$6.31 AED 23.16

$32.93 AED 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 AED 6.9

$1.34 AED 4.91

$2.84 AED 10.44

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 AED 8.19

$1.38 AED 5.06

$5.52 AED 20.29

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.65 AED 6.05

$1.1 AED 4.05

$2.75 AED 10.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.2 AED 192

$21.69 AED 79.6

$52.2 AED 192

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.33 AED 12.24

$3.61 AED 13.26

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.55 AED 2.03

$0.49 AED 1.8

$1 AED 3.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.83 AED 17.75

$16.12 AED 59.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 AED 2.92

$0.69 AED 2.54

$0.89 AED 3.25

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

$44.6K AED 163.8K

$23.1K AED 84.8K

$45K AED 165.3K

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

$22.6K AED 83K

$22.1K AED 81.3K

$22.7K AED 83.2K

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

$140 AED 515

$103 AED 379

$401 AED 1,473

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

$65.9 AED 242

$16 AED 58.8

$82.3 AED 302

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 AED 376

$81.6 AED 300

$123 AED 451

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.5 AED 237

$33.48 AED 123

$97.9 AED 360

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39 AED 143

$14.79 AED 54.3

$53.8 AED 198

Cinema Ticket

$12.67 AED 46.54

$10.27 AED 37.72

$18.68 AED 68.6

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

$637 AED 2,338

$274 AED 1,006

$685 AED 2,515

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,941 AED 25.5K

$11.1K AED 40.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.1 AED 188

$21.36 AED 78.5

$80.1 AED 294

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.1 AED 206

$20.26 AED 74.4

$124 AED 456

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.4 AED 339

$51.6 AED 190

$134 AED 491

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.4 AED 299

$54.4 AED 200

$136 AED 499

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$744 AED 2,733

$611 AED 2,245

$1,132 AED 4,157

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$756 AED 2,775

$545 AED 2,000

$1,497 AED 5,499

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,543 AED 9,337

$1,102 AED 4,047

$4,174 AED 15.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,384 AED 5,084

$969 AED 3,559

$3,046 AED 11.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,907 AED 18K

$2,957 AED 10.9K

$5,950 AED 21.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,311 AED 12.2K

$1,555 AED 5,711

$3,311 AED 12.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,223 AED 11.8K

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: November 30, 2025

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.