Cost of Living in United Arab Emirates - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: United Arab Emirates
Address: AE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,003 (excluding rent), and $2,358 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,383 (excluding rent), and $5,010 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.23 AED 30.2

$4.11 AED 15.08

$21.93 AED 80.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.8 AED 249

$32.54 AED 120

$136 AED 498

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.57 AED 35.13

$8.2 AED 30.11

$10.93 AED 40.14

Cappuccino

$5.56 AED 20.43

$2.23 AED 8.2

$8.37 AED 30.75

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

$1.13 AED 4.14

$0.7 AED 2.56

$2.79 AED 10.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.55 AED 2.01

$0.26 AED 0.95

$1.84 AED 6.75

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.42 AED 41.92

$7.25 AED 26.63

$14.78 AED 54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.49 AED 45.85

$9.71 AED 35.67

$16.66 AED 61.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.91 AED 7.03

$1.12 AED 4.1

$3.35 AED 12.3

White Bread (500g)

$1.46 AED 5.36

$0.84 AED 3.09

$3.36 AED 12.34

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.11 AED 7.73

$1.14 AED 4.2

$4.33 AED 15.91

Eggs

$3.12 AED 11.44

$1.51 AED 5.54

$6.49 AED 23.83

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.24 AED 37.59

$4.32 AED 15.86

$26.98 AED 99.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.48 AED 31.13

$4 AED 14.7

$14.48 AED 53.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.59 AED 42.57

$6.85 AED 25.17

$19.18 AED 70.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 AED 8.47

$1.39 AED 5.1

$3.61 AED 13.27

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 AED 6.74

$1.26 AED 4.63

$2.79 AED 10.25

Oranges (1kg)

$1.79 AED 6.56

$0.62 AED 2.26

$3.91 AED 14.35

Tomato (1kg)

$1.43 AED 5.25

$0.83 AED 3.03

$2.2 AED 8.07

Potato (1kg)

$1.1 AED 4.04

$0.53 AED 1.96

$1.61 AED 5.93

Onion (1kg)

$1.26 AED 4.64

$0.69 AED 2.53

$1.93 AED 7.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.53 AED 5.61

$0.71 AED 2.62

$2.7 AED 9.91

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 AED 2.4

$0.42 AED 1.56

$1.13 AED 4.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.38 AED 23.44

$5.56 AED 20.4

$7.77 AED 28.53

Wine (Bottle)

$14.8 AED 54.4

$8.07 AED 29.64

$26.9 AED 98.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 AED 8.36

$1.32 AED 4.86

$3.97 AED 14.58

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.92 AED 10.71

$1.64 AED 6.02

$5.48 AED 20.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.33 AED 4.9

$0.67 AED 2.45

$2.67 AED 9.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.7 AED 201

$24.63 AED 90.4

$95.8 AED 352

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.23 AED 11.87

$1.61 AED 5.92

$4.03 AED 14.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.71 AED 2.6

$0.52 AED 1.91

$1.42 AED 5.21

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.94 AED 29.16

$7.28 AED 26.73

$13.24 AED 48.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 AED 2.87

$0.69 AED 2.53

$0.91 AED 3.35

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

$45.2K AED 166K

$27.6K AED 101.3K

$46K AED 169K

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

$22.1K AED 81K

$21.7K AED 79.6K

$22.7K AED 83.5K

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

$181 AED 664

$109 AED 401

$328 AED 1,203

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

$58.9 AED 216

$27.06 AED 99.4

$94.7 AED 348

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 373

$68.1 AED 250

$127 AED 465

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$72.1 AED 265

$33.09 AED 122

$138 AED 506

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.52 AED 141

$16.36 AED 60.1

$54.5 AED 200

Cinema Ticket

$13.44 AED 49.36

$10.75 AED 39.46

$20.15 AED 74

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

$670 AED 2,462

$323 AED 1,185

$1,345 AED 4,938

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K AED 43.6K

$6,750 AED 24.8K

$19.8K AED 72.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.3 AED 243

$24.09 AED 88.5

$134 AED 491

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.2 AED 236

$24.55 AED 90.2

$109 AED 401

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 AED 372

$54.8 AED 201

$164 AED 603

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 AED 373

$53.4 AED 196

$160 AED 588

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,716 AED 6,301

$727 AED 2,671

$3,282 AED 12.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,190 AED 4,368

$603 AED 2,215

$2,054 AED 7,541

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,374 AED 12.4K

$1,510 AED 5,544

$6,863 AED 25.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,410 AED 8,850

$1,215 AED 4,461

$4,860 AED 17.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,206 AED 22.8K

$3,885 AED 14.3K

$8,939 AED 32.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,575 AED 13.1K

$2,191 AED 8,045

$5,842 AED 21.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,276 AED 12K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.63

6.5

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in United Arab Emirates - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability in the UAE ranges widely. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you’ll find modern comforts and a strong expat scene, which can push some expenses upward, especially for housing in prime neighborhoods. Other emirates or suburban areas offer lower rents and simpler lifestyles, helping you stretch your budget. Utilities, groceries, and dining out can be managed with choices that fit your pace and priorities. If you plan long stays, compare neighborhoods, look for flexible leases, and consider how you’ll get around. Cost of Living in United Arab Emirates helps frame your expectations as you plan. Tip: test a few districts on short stays before committing.

Day-to-day living starts with housing search approaches: start with short-term leases, visit neighborhoods in person, and verify what utilities or furnishings are included. Food options run from large supermarkets to bustling local markets and neighborhood cafes, so you can balance convenience with budget by cooking at home a few evenings a week. Transport varies by city – metro and bus networks cover many routes, rideshares are common, and car sharing can be economical for trips outside town. For work, look at flexible co-working spaces or community hubs that suit your pace. United Arab Emirates living cost varies by emirate and district, so test commuting times and access before choosing a longer lease. Tip: keep a simple budget framework and track spending for a month.

Quality of life comes from choosing the right area that fits your routine, seasonality, and social life. Use a simple budgeting framework: fixed costs (housing and utilities), flexible costs (food and transport), and leisure. In summer, cooling costs rise; plan around air conditioned spaces or outdoor activities during milder months. Neighborhoods around business districts offer easy commutes; family-friendly enclaves provide quieter evenings; coastal and desert-adjacent areas offer distinct vibes. Leverage expat networks, trial periods, and walkable districts to minimize transport needs. Compare living costs by emirate rather than chasing headlines; real value often shows up in access to amenities, safety, and community. Tip: rotate through a few neighborhoods seasonally to find where you truly feel at home.