Cost of Living in Sharjah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $765 (excluding rent), and $1,576 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,746 (excluding rent), and $2,974 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.53 AED 20.28

$4.14 AED 15.18

$8.29 AED 30.41

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.39 AED 119

$20.24 AED 74.3

$67.5 AED 248

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.18 AED 33.68

$8.10 AED 29.71

$11.34 AED 41.61

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.70 AED 35.60

$8.32 AED 30.52

$11.08 AED 40.68

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.32 AED 34.21

Cappuccino

$4.19 AED 15.39

$2.12 AED 7.78

$7.95 AED 29.17

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

$0.96 AED 3.54

$0.67 AED 2.45

$1.34 AED 4.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 AED 1.37

$0.28 AED 1.02

$0.85 AED 3.11

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 AED 6.46

$1.11 AED 4.07

$3.05 AED 11.20

White Bread (500g)

$1.19 AED 4.39

$0.69 AED 2.55

$1.81 AED 6.63

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.03 AED 7.47

$1.37 AED 5.03

$3.57 AED 13.08

Eggs

$2.86 AED 10.49

$1.11 AED 4.08

$6.11 AED 22.44

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.47 AED 38.43

$6.64 AED 24.38

$17.98 AED 66.0

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.99 AED 25.67

$3.33 AED 12.22

$13.87 AED 50.9

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.93 AED 32.76

$4.18 AED 15.35

$13.96 AED 51.2

Apples (1kg)

$1.91 AED 7.00

$1.11 AED 4.08

$2.50 AED 9.17

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 AED 5.53

$1.35 AED 4.95

$2.16 AED 7.94

Oranges (1kg)

$1.46 AED 5.37

$0.55 AED 2.00

$2.20 AED 8.08

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.30

$0.80 AED 2.94

$1.33 AED 4.87

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 AED 3.84

$0.70 AED 2.56

$1.40 AED 5.12

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 AED 4.50

$0.55 AED 2.03

$1.81 AED 6.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.50 AED 5.49

$0.83 AED 3.04

$1.93 AED 7.09

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 AED 2.23

$0.40 AED 1.47

$0.80 AED 2.95

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.65 AED 57.5

$6.29 AED 23.10

$16.43 AED 60.3

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 AED 7.17

$1.39 AED 5.11

$2.51 AED 9.20

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 AED 12.23

$1.89 AED 6.95

$5.41 AED 19.84

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.58 AED 24.13

$5.60 AED 20.55

$7.00 AED 25.68

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 AED 6.09

$1.38 AED 5.08

$2.77 AED 10.16

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.05 AED 147

$21.35 AED 78.4

$58.7 AED 216

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.75 AED 13.76

$3.33 AED 12.23

$4.16 AED 15.26

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.66 AED 2.43

$0.53 AED 1.93

$0.80 AED 2.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.03 AED 18.44

$12.57 AED 46.14

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 AED 2.78

$0.65 AED 2.39

$0.84 AED 3.10

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

$45.3K AED 166.4K

$23.5K AED 86.1K

$45.7K AED 167.9K

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

$22.7K AED 83.3K

$22.6K AED 83.1K

$22.7K AED 83.3K

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

$199 AED 729

$124 AED 454

$412 AED 1,513

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

$64.5 AED 237

$26.86 AED 98.6

$87.3 AED 320

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 377

$81.9 AED 301

$123 AED 451

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.2 AED 228

$26.91 AED 98.8

$80.7 AED 296

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$37.96 AED 139

$16.27 AED 59.7

$54.2 AED 199

Cinema Ticket

$13.03 AED 47.81

$10.56 AED 38.75

$19.20 AED 70.5

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

$279 AED 1,025

$275 AED 1,008

$302 AED 1,109

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,958 AED 21.9K

$3,208 AED 11.8K

$10.7K AED 39.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.2 AED 191

$23.17 AED 85.0

$109 AED 400

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$96.8 AED 355

$20.45 AED 75.1

$125 AED 460

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.1 AED 360

$55.4 AED 203

$136 AED 498

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.3 AED 295

$53.7 AED 197

$107 AED 394

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$760 AED 2,790

$679 AED 2,491

$905 AED 3,322

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$607 AED 2,227

$551 AED 2,022

$827 AED 3,034

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 AED 5,992

$1,096 AED 4,022

$2,466 AED 9,050

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,021 AED 3,747

$814 AED 2,988

$1,900 AED 6,972

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,040 AED 29.5K

$10.1K AED 37.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,720 AED 9,984

$8,199 AED 30.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,575 AED 9,449

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.42

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Sharjah Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

321

Mbps

165

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.