Cost of Living in Sharjah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $772 (excluding rent), and $1,576 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,745 (excluding rent), and $2,948 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.51 AED 20.24

$4.13 AED 15.15

$8.26 AED 30.35

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.2 AED 122

$20.75 AED 76.2

$69.2 AED 254

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.98 AED 32.99

$7.93 AED 29.11

$11.1 AED 40.75

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.61 AED 35.27

$8.23 AED 30.24

$10.98 AED 40.31

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.26 AED 34

Cappuccino

$4.37 AED 16.06

$2.21 AED 8.13

$8.29 AED 30.45

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

$1.01 AED 3.71

$0.7 AED 2.57

$1.4 AED 5.15

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 AED 1.27

$0.26 AED 0.95

$0.79 AED 2.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 AED 6.45

$1.11 AED 4.07

$3.05 AED 11.19

White Bread (500g)

$1.2 AED 4.39

$0.69 AED 2.55

$1.81 AED 6.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.99 AED 7.3

$1.34 AED 4.92

$3.48 AED 12.79

Eggs

$2.76 AED 10.13

$1.07 AED 3.94

$5.9 AED 21.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.29 AED 37.78

$6.53 AED 23.97

$17.66 AED 64.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.81 AED 25.01

$3.24 AED 11.9

$13.5 AED 49.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.92 AED 32.77

$4.18 AED 15.35

$13.96 AED 51.3

Apples (1kg)

$1.92 AED 7.07

$1.12 AED 4.12

$2.52 AED 9.26

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 AED 5.44

$1.32 AED 4.86

$2.12 AED 7.8

Oranges (1kg)

$1.46 AED 5.37

$0.54 AED 2

$2.2 AED 8.08

Tomato (1kg)

$1.18 AED 4.32

$0.8 AED 2.95

$1.33 AED 4.89

Potato (1kg)

$1.01 AED 3.71

$0.67 AED 2.47

$1.35 AED 4.94

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 AED 4.45

$0.55 AED 2

$1.79 AED 6.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.51 AED 5.55

$0.84 AED 3.08

$1.95 AED 7.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 AED 2.33

$0.42 AED 1.54

$0.84 AED 3.08

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.4 AED 56.6

$6.19 AED 22.72

$16.15 AED 59.3

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 AED 6.84

$1.33 AED 4.87

$2.39 AED 8.78

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 AED 12.19

$1.89 AED 6.93

$5.38 AED 19.77

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.5 AED 23.85

$5.53 AED 20.31

$6.91 AED 25.38

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.65 AED 6.08

$1.38 AED 5.07

$2.76 AED 10.14

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.18 AED 151

$21.96 AED 80.6

$60.4 AED 222

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.69 AED 13.56

$3.28 AED 12.05

$4.09 AED 15.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.65 AED 2.4

$0.52 AED 1.91

$0.79 AED 2.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 AED 18.51

$12.61 AED 46.32

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.8 AED 2.95

$0.69 AED 2.54

$0.9 AED 3.29

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

$44.3K AED 162.6K

$22.9K AED 84.1K

$44.7K AED 164K

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

$22.3K AED 82K

$22.3K AED 81.8K

$22.3K AED 82K

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

$197 AED 722

$122 AED 449

$408 AED 1,498

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

$66.6 AED 245

$27.72 AED 102

$90.1 AED 331

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 AED 374

$81.1 AED 298

$122 AED 447

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.5 AED 229

$27.02 AED 99.2

$81.1 AED 298

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$37.78 AED 139

$16.19 AED 59.5

$54 AED 198

Cinema Ticket

$12.81 AED 47.04

$10.38 AED 38.13

$18.88 AED 69.3

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

$275 AED 1,009

$270 AED 993

$297 AED 1,092

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,957 AED 21.9K

$3,207 AED 11.8K

$10.7K AED 39.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.5 AED 189

$22.85 AED 83.9

$108 AED 395

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$94.8 AED 348

$20.03 AED 73.5

$123 AED 451

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.8 AED 352

$54.1 AED 199

$132 AED 486

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.3 AED 302

$55 AED 202

$110 AED 404

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$776 AED 2,850

$693 AED 2,545

$924 AED 3,393

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$610 AED 2,239

$554 AED 2,033

$831 AED 3,050

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,648 AED 6,053

$1,106 AED 4,063

$2,489 AED 9,142

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,038 AED 3,812

$828 AED 3,039

$1,931 AED 7,092

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.2K AED 37.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,158 AED 30K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,620 AED 9,619

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.42

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 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.