Cost of Living in Ras al-Khaimah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,051 (excluding rent), and $1,989 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,408 (excluding rent), and $4,009 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.56 AED 49.81

$5.43 AED 19.93

$20.34 AED 74.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.35 AED 181

$27.42 AED 101

$82.3 AED 302

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.71 AED 24.64

$7.51 AED 27.57

Cappuccino

$5.51 AED 20.23

$1.59 AED 5.84

$6.64 AED 24.38

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

$1.27 AED 4.67

$0.81 AED 2.97

$2.68 AED 9.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 AED 2.69

$0.28 AED 1.04

$2.28 AED 8.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.95 AED 40.22

$8.22 AED 30.17

$13.7 AED 50.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.05 AED 36.91

$9.38 AED 34.46

$10.72 AED 39.37

Milk (1 liter)

$1.56 AED 5.74

$0.8 AED 2.92

$1.85 AED 6.81

White Bread (500g)

$1.44 AED 5.29

$0.79 AED 2.89

$3.18 AED 11.68

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.7 AED 6.24

$0.92 AED 3.39

$2.64 AED 9.7

Eggs

$2.25 AED 8.26

$1.3 AED 4.79

$3.25 AED 11.95

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.71 AED 46.67

$10.87 AED 39.92

$13.6 AED 49.93

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.86 AED 28.86

$3.34 AED 12.27

$14.74 AED 54.1

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.12 AED 55.5

$9.4 AED 34.53

$21.49 AED 78.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.2 AED 8.09

$1.07 AED 3.92

$2.66 AED 9.78

Banana (1kg)

$1.82 AED 6.69

$1.11 AED 4.07

$3.33 AED 12.21

Oranges (1kg)

$1.51 AED 5.53

$1.08 AED 3.97

$2.43 AED 8.92

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 AED 4.68

$0.81 AED 2.98

$2.05 AED 7.51

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 AED 3.81

$0.57 AED 2.08

$1.43 AED 5.24

Onion (1kg)

$1.04 AED 3.82

$0.55 AED 2.02

$1.66 AED 6.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.75 AED 6.44

$1.08 AED 3.96

$2.16 AED 7.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 AED 1.99

$0.43 AED 1.57

$0.86 AED 3.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.34 AED 23.29

$5.94 AED 21.8

$6.75 AED 24.79

Wine (Bottle)

$13.71 AED 50.3

$5.49 AED 20.16

$20.57 AED 75.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 AED 9.27

$1.32 AED 4.87

$3.97 AED 14.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.01 AED 11.05

$2.24 AED 8.22

$4.19 AED 15.39

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.34 AED 8.59

$1.34 AED 4.91

$4.01 AED 14.72

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63 AED 231

$21.45 AED 78.8

$63 AED 231

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.53 AED 5.61

$1.25 AED 4.6

$3.61 AED 13.24

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.92 AED 3.38

$0.47 AED 1.71

$1.38 AED 5.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.41 AED 30.88

$7.36 AED 27.02

$12.62 AED 46.33

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 AED 2.78

$0.66 AED 2.42

$0.8 AED 2.92

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

$46.1K AED 169.1K

$45.3K AED 166.2K

$46.1K AED 169.1K

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

$22.9K AED 84.3K

$22.7K AED 83.2K

$23.5K AED 86.4K

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

$149 AED 549

$111 AED 406

$206 AED 757

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

$45.43 AED 167

$27.53 AED 101

$62 AED 228

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$99.6 AED 366

$66.9 AED 246

$120 AED 442

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.9 AED 205

$34.08 AED 125

$81.8 AED 300

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.4 AED 148

$13.47 AED 49.46

$53.9 AED 198

Cinema Ticket

$13.08 AED 48.02

$10.73 AED 39.41

$16.1 AED 59.1

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

$248 AED 910

$165 AED 606

$330 AED 1,213

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,160 AED 18.9K

$4,346 AED 16K

$12.2K AED 44.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$115 AED 422

$108 AED 397

$122 AED 447

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.5 AED 197

$20.74 AED 76.2

$107 AED 393

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$139 AED 509

$111 AED 408

$139 AED 509

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$136 AED 499

$109 AED 399

$136 AED 499

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$723 AED 2,656

$432 AED 1,586

$1,350 AED 4,957

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$763 AED 2,801

$539 AED 1,977

$1,346 AED 4,944

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,951 AED 7,163

$942 AED 3,458

$3,229 AED 11.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,522 AED 5,590

$969 AED 3,557

$1,937 AED 7,115

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,903 AED 18K

$3,513 AED 12.9K

$6,147 AED 22.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,936 AED 7,109

$1,753 AED 6,439

$2,192 AED 8,048

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,012 AED 7,389

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.88

4.75

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Ras al-Khaimah - Frequently Asked Questions

Ras al-Khaimah tends to offer a gentler price tag than the country’s megacities, making it attractive for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want comfort without the high premiums. You’ll often find more space for similar budgets, especially in housing, and everyday expenses like groceries and casual dining can be steadier than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Seasonal demand matters: winter months can push some costs up, while shoulder seasons often bring better value. It’s a practical place to balance outdoor life with work-friendly amenities, from coworking spaces to reliable internet. Cost of Living in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates reflects a middle ground that scales with your lifestyle. Tip: Start with two or three neighborhood visits to gauge value and pace.

Daily life in Ras al-Khaimah centers on a compact, walkable city core with enough options to avoid constant dining out. Housing searches tend to reward longer leases and building amenities; you’ll find a range from affordable apartments near the coast to villa clusters in newer developments. For groceries, you’ll have traditional markets and modern supermarkets; many residents mix local produce with imported staples for variety. Getting around is easiest with a car, though taxis and some ride-hailing services cover popular routes. Co-working spaces and cafes cater to remote work, especially near Al Hamra and Ras al Khaimah City. Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates living cost fluctuates with seasonality and neighborhood choices, so plan ahead for heat-driven demand. Tip: Build a short-term routine before signing any leases.

Quality of life in Ras al-Khaimah favors outdoor life, safety, and a slower pace relative to bigger emirates. Build a simple budgeting framework around housing as your anchor: pick a unit with predictable utilities and avoid peak-tourism corridors. Save on energy by using efficient cooling, shade, and timing appliances; food costs can be controlled by shopping in local markets and cooking at home. Seasonality matters: summers demand cooling, winters offer more outdoor options and cheaper off-peak activities. Neighborhood fit tends toward family-friendly areas with access to beaches, marina views, or quieter suburban vibes. Tip: test commute times at different hours to find your ideal rhythm.