Cost of Living in Sharjah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $772 (excluding rent), and $1,586 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,780 (excluding rent), and $2,980 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.43 AED 19.93

$4.07 AED 14.92

$8.14 AED 29.88

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.74 AED 120

$20.46 AED 75.1

$68.2 AED 250

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.29 AED 34.08

$8.19 AED 30.07

$11.47 AED 42.10

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.78 AED 35.89

$8.38 AED 30.77

$11.17 AED 41.01

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.31 AED 34.15

Cappuccino

$4.42 AED 16.23

$2.24 AED 8.21

$8.38 AED 30.77

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

$0.94 AED 3.45

$0.65 AED 2.39

$1.30 AED 4.78

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 AED 1.28

$0.26 AED 0.96

$0.79 AED 2.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 AED 6.50

$1.12 AED 4.09

$3.07 AED 11.27

White Bread (500g)

$1.15 AED 4.23

$0.67 AED 2.46

$1.75 AED 6.40

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.07 AED 7.59

$1.39 AED 5.11

$3.62 AED 13.29

Eggs

$2.83 AED 10.40

$1.10 AED 4.05

$6.06 AED 22.26

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.41 AED 38.22

$6.61 AED 24.25

$17.88 AED 65.6

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.85 AED 25.14

$3.26 AED 11.96

$13.58 AED 49.84

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.87 AED 32.56

$4.16 AED 15.25

$13.87 AED 50.9

Apples (1kg)

$1.86 AED 6.81

$1.08 AED 3.97

$2.43 AED 8.92

Banana (1kg)

$1.53 AED 5.63

$1.37 AED 5.04

$2.20 AED 8.08

Oranges (1kg)

$1.48 AED 5.44

$0.55 AED 2.03

$2.23 AED 8.18

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.28

$0.80 AED 2.92

$1.32 AED 4.85

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 AED 3.65

$0.66 AED 2.43

$1.33 AED 4.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 AED 4.46

$0.55 AED 2.01

$1.79 AED 6.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.50 AED 5.51

$0.83 AED 3.05

$1.94 AED 7.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 AED 2.16

$0.39 AED 1.43

$0.78 AED 2.86

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.37 AED 56.4

$6.18 AED 22.67

$16.12 AED 59.2

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 AED 7.18

$1.39 AED 5.11

$2.51 AED 9.21

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.37 AED 12.37

$1.92 AED 7.03

$5.47 AED 20.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.47 AED 23.73

$5.51 AED 20.20

$6.88 AED 25.25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.60 AED 5.89

$1.34 AED 4.91

$2.68 AED 9.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.82 AED 150

$21.77 AED 79.9

$59.9 AED 220

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.76 AED 13.79

$3.34 AED 12.26

$4.17 AED 15.29

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.69 AED 2.54

$0.55 AED 2.02

$0.83 AED 3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.76 AED 17.45

$11.90 AED 43.66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.75 AED 2.75

$0.65 AED 2.37

$0.84 AED 3.07

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

$45.0K AED 165.3K

$23.3K AED 85.6K

$45.4K AED 166.8K

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

$21.9K AED 80.5K

$21.9K AED 80.3K

$21.9K AED 80.5K

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

$193 AED 709

$120 AED 442

$401 AED 1,473

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

$65.2 AED 239

$27.14 AED 99.6

$88.2 AED 324

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 378

$82.2 AED 301

$123 AED 452

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 AED 233

$27.42 AED 101

$82.3 AED 302

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.02 AED 140

$16.30 AED 59.8

$54.3 AED 199

Cinema Ticket

$12.68 AED 46.52

$10.27 AED 37.70

$18.68 AED 68.6

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

$278 AED 1,022

$274 AED 1,005

$301 AED 1,105

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,966 AED 21.9K

$3,212 AED 11.8K

$10.7K AED 39.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.8 AED 190

$23.00 AED 84.4

$108 AED 397

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$94.9 AED 348

$20.05 AED 73.6

$123 AED 451

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 AED 351

$54.0 AED 198

$132 AED 485

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.0 AED 294

$53.5 AED 196

$107 AED 393

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$769 AED 2,823

$687 AED 2,521

$916 AED 3,361

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$589 AED 2,163

$535 AED 1,964

$803 AED 2,945

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,605 AED 5,889

$1,077 AED 3,953

$2,423 AED 8,894

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,016 AED 3,727

$810 AED 2,972

$1,889 AED 6,934

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,048 AED 29.5K

$10.1K AED 37.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,730 AED 10.0K

$8,228 AED 30.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,443 AED 8,964

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.42

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

Sharjah Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 Sharjah - Frequently Asked Questions

Sharjah generally offers a friendlier price-to-value balance than its Gulf neighbors, especially for housing and daily essentials – an appealing point for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In Cost of Living in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, you’ll notice more affordable options in housing and everyday goods when compared with Dubai, along with a cosmopolitan yet relaxed vibe. Neighborhoods range from waterfront and historic cores to quieter residential areas, with coworking spaces that fit various budgets. Seasonal demand and proximity to the Dubai corridor shape choices rather than prices alone. Tip: Compare neighborhoods, stay flexible, and look for long-stay options that include utilities or community perks.

From a housing hunt to daily errands, you’ll feel the rhythm shift with the season and work needs. Start by filtering apartment options near practical hubs or by the coast; in Sharjah, you’ll find a spectrum from affordable towers to compound-style homes. Grocery runs happen at local markets and regional supermarkets; dining ranges from casual cafes to diverse eating spots. Understanding Sharjah, United Arab Emirates living cost helps you budget for groceries and transport. For getting around, you’ll likely rely on a car or taxis, with a growing set of bus routes and ride-hail options. Co-working spaces and quiet lounges offer reliable workdays with short commutes. Tip: Build a weekly route to limit transit time and maximize stretch breaks.

Sharjah offers a range of neighborhoods that fit different rhythms, from waterfront strolls in Al Majaz to calmer residential pockets near educational campuses. Use a simple budgeting framework like categorize-then-trim: housing and utilities first, groceries and dining second, and transport and leisure last. In hot seasons you’ll trade outdoor activities for malls and cafes, while cooler months invite weekend explorations of museums and markets – great for culture without breaking the bank. For value, look for longer leases that include utilities, or coworking passes that halve your workspace costs. Neighborhood fit improves with a short visit: walk the streets, check safety, and consider commute times to your preferred work or study spots. Tip: try a 60-day trial stay to test neighborhoods.