Cost of Living in Sharjah - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $783 (excluding rent), and $1,602 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,747 (excluding rent), and $3,035 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.31 AED 19.50

$3.98 AED 14.60

$7.97 AED 29.24

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.29 AED 122

$20.80 AED 76.3

$69.4 AED 255

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.47 AED 34.74

$8.35 AED 30.65

$11.70 AED 42.92

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.26 AED 33.98

$7.94 AED 29.13

$10.58 AED 38.83

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.38 AED 34.44

Cappuccino

$4.24 AED 15.56

$2.14 AED 7.87

$8.04 AED 29.50

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

$1.01 AED 3.72

$0.70 AED 2.58

$1.41 AED 5.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 AED 1.39

$0.28 AED 1.04

$0.86 AED 3.16

Milk (1 liter)

$1.74 AED 6.39

$1.10 AED 4.03

$3.02 AED 11.08

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 AED 4.35

$0.69 AED 2.53

$1.79 AED 6.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.03 AED 7.45

$1.37 AED 5.02

$3.56 AED 13.06

Eggs

$2.83 AED 10.37

$1.10 AED 4.04

$6.05 AED 22.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.45 AED 38.36

$6.63 AED 24.33

$17.94 AED 65.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.83 AED 25.08

$3.25 AED 11.94

$13.55 AED 49.73

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.82 AED 32.38

$4.13 AED 15.17

$13.79 AED 50.6

Apples (1kg)

$1.89 AED 6.94

$1.10 AED 4.05

$2.48 AED 9.09

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 AED 5.43

$1.32 AED 4.85

$2.12 AED 7.78

Oranges (1kg)

$1.49 AED 5.48

$0.56 AED 2.04

$2.25 AED 8.24

Tomato (1kg)

$1.18 AED 4.33

$0.81 AED 2.96

$1.34 AED 4.91

Potato (1kg)

$1.04 AED 3.81

$0.69 AED 2.54

$1.38 AED 5.07

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 AED 4.31

$0.53 AED 1.94

$1.73 AED 6.36

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.51 AED 5.55

$0.84 AED 3.07

$1.95 AED 7.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 AED 2.19

$0.39 AED 1.45

$0.79 AED 2.90

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.70 AED 57.6

$6.31 AED 23.15

$16.47 AED 60.4

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 AED 6.89

$1.34 AED 4.90

$2.41 AED 8.84

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 AED 12.07

$1.87 AED 6.86

$5.33 AED 19.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.21 AED 22.79

$5.29 AED 19.40

$6.61 AED 24.25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.59 AED 5.84

$1.33 AED 4.87

$2.66 AED 9.75

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.51 AED 149

$21.60 AED 79.3

$59.4 AED 218

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.60 AED 13.23

$3.20 AED 11.75

$4.00 AED 14.66

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.65 AED 2.39

$0.52 AED 1.90

$0.78 AED 2.88

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.81 AED 17.67

$12.04 AED 44.20

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.77 AED 2.82

$0.66 AED 2.43

$0.86 AED 3.14

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

$45.6K AED 167.5K

$23.6K AED 86.7K

$46.0K AED 169.0K

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

$22.1K AED 81.2K

$22.1K AED 81.0K

$22.1K AED 81.2K

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

$199 AED 730

$124 AED 455

$413 AED 1,516

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

$66.3 AED 243

$27.59 AED 101

$89.7 AED 329

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 AED 373

$81.1 AED 298

$122 AED 446

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.1 AED 228

$26.83 AED 98.5

$80.5 AED 295

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.81 AED 142

$16.64 AED 61.1

$55.5 AED 204

Cinema Ticket

$13.01 AED 47.76

$10.55 AED 38.71

$19.18 AED 70.4

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

$274 AED 1,006

$270 AED 989

$296 AED 1,088

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,018 AED 22.1K

$3,241 AED 11.9K

$10.8K AED 39.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.2 AED 192

$23.18 AED 85.1

$109 AED 400

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$96.9 AED 355

$20.46 AED 75.1

$126 AED 461

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 AED 354

$54.4 AED 200

$133 AED 489

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.6 AED 296

$53.9 AED 198

$108 AED 396

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$763 AED 2,800

$681 AED 2,500

$908 AED 3,333

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$588 AED 2,159

$534 AED 1,960

$801 AED 2,940

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,593 AED 5,846

$1,069 AED 3,924

$2,406 AED 8,830

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,020 AED 3,745

$814 AED 2,986

$1,899 AED 6,968

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,127 AED 29.8K

$10.2K AED 37.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 AED 10.1K

$8,273 AED 30.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,549 AED 9,356

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 18, 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.