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

Name: United Arab Emirates
Address: AE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $988 (excluding rent), and $2,327 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,359 (excluding rent), and $4,983 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.29 AED 30.42

$4.14 AED 15.19

$22.09 AED 81.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.4 AED 255

$33.33 AED 122

$139 AED 510

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.58 AED 35.15

$8.21 AED 30.14

$10.95 AED 40.17

Cappuccino

$5.46 AED 20.03

$2.19 AED 8.04

$8.21 AED 30.14

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

$1.07 AED 3.93

$0.66 AED 2.43

$2.65 AED 9.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.59 AED 2.16

$0.28 AED 1.02

$1.97 AED 7.24

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.65 AED 42.74

$7.40 AED 27.15

$15.08 AED 55.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.20 AED 44.79

$9.49 AED 34.84

$16.28 AED 59.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.84 AED 6.77

$1.07 AED 3.94

$3.22 AED 11.83

White Bread (500g)

$1.40 AED 5.15

$0.81 AED 2.98

$3.23 AED 11.86

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 AED 7.66

$1.13 AED 4.15

$4.29 AED 15.75

Eggs

$3.16 AED 11.62

$1.53 AED 5.62

$6.59 AED 24.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.18 AED 37.36

$4.30 AED 15.77

$26.83 AED 98.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.56 AED 31.41

$4.04 AED 14.83

$14.62 AED 53.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.69 AED 42.92

$6.91 AED 25.37

$19.35 AED 71.0

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 AED 8.35

$1.37 AED 5.03

$3.56 AED 13.08

Banana (1kg)

$1.82 AED 6.67

$1.25 AED 4.58

$2.76 AED 10.13

Oranges (1kg)

$1.78 AED 6.52

$0.61 AED 2.25

$3.89 AED 14.27

Tomato (1kg)

$1.41 AED 5.17

$0.81 AED 2.98

$2.16 AED 7.93

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 AED 4.00

$0.53 AED 1.95

$1.60 AED 5.88

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 AED 4.48

$0.66 AED 2.44

$1.86 AED 6.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.50 AED 5.50

$0.70 AED 2.57

$2.65 AED 9.71

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 AED 2.35

$0.42 AED 1.53

$1.11 AED 4.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.27 AED 23.03

$5.46 AED 20.05

$7.64 AED 28.03

Wine (Bottle)

$15.09 AED 55.4

$8.23 AED 30.20

$27.43 AED 101

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.32 AED 8.50

$1.35 AED 4.94

$4.04 AED 14.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 AED 10.46

$1.60 AED 5.88

$5.36 AED 19.66

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.33 AED 4.88

$0.67 AED 2.44

$2.66 AED 9.76

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.4 AED 200

$24.47 AED 89.8

$95.2 AED 349

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 AED 11.71

$1.59 AED 5.84

$3.98 AED 14.61

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.71 AED 2.61

$0.52 AED 1.92

$1.42 AED 5.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.33 AED 30.56

$7.63 AED 28.01

$13.88 AED 50.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.74 AED 2.73

$0.66 AED 2.41

$0.87 AED 3.19

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

$44.7K AED 164.0K

$27.3K AED 100.0K

$45.5K AED 166.9K

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

$22.3K AED 82.0K

$21.9K AED 80.5K

$23.0K AED 84.5K

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

$178 AED 652

$107 AED 394

$322 AED 1,182

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

$58.1 AED 213

$26.70 AED 98.0

$93.5 AED 343

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$102 AED 375

$68.6 AED 252

$128 AED 468

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.5 AED 259

$32.36 AED 119

$135 AED 495

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$37.79 AED 139

$16.05 AED 58.9

$53.5 AED 196

Cinema Ticket

$13.80 AED 50.7

$11.04 AED 40.51

$20.70 AED 76.0

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

$683 AED 2,506

$329 AED 1,207

$1,370 AED 5,027

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.2K AED 44.6K

$6,902 AED 25.3K

$20.2K AED 74.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.2 AED 243

$24.07 AED 88.3

$134 AED 491

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.9 AED 235

$24.45 AED 89.7

$109 AED 399

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 AED 373

$54.8 AED 201

$164 AED 603

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 AED 374

$53.5 AED 196

$161 AED 589

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,702 AED 6,245

$721 AED 2,647

$3,255 AED 11.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,188 AED 4,358

$602 AED 2,210

$2,050 AED 7,524

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,372 AED 12.4K

$1,509 AED 5,537

$6,858 AED 25.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,443 AED 8,965

$1,231 AED 4,519

$4,925 AED 18.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,823 AED 21.4K

$3,505 AED 12.9K

$8,762 AED 32.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,267 AED 12.0K

$2,065 AED 7,580

$5,311 AED 19.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,153 AED 11.6K

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: January 11, 2026

By City in United Arab Emirates

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Abu Dhabi	921000	109	$958	$2,204	$2,283	$4,773	523.57	324.28
2	Ajman	238119	140	$998	$2,823	$2,049	$7,447	228.91	332.81
3	Al Ain	631005	80	$845	$1,609	$2,061	$3,231	56.39	282.88
4	Al Fujayrah	-	82	$1,017	$1,613	$2,310	$3,532	-	-
5	Dibba Al-Fujairah	-	102	$1,044	$2,026	$2,440	$4,064	198.86	211.39
6	Dubai	-	145	$1,110	$2,911	$2,654	$5,770	212.21	303.36
7	Fujairah	93673	74	$1,022	$1,491	$1,838	$3,274	68.94	254.38
8	Mussaffah	-	90	$1,027	$1,771	$2,109	$3,462	-	-
9	Ras al-Khaimah	241000	99	$1,067	$1,958	$2,457	$4,004	144.7	278.19
10	Ruwais	-	84	$854	$1,644	$1,814	$3,262	135.8	223.47
11	Sharjah	1400000	79	$765	$1,576	$1,746	$2,974	54.59	321.05
12	Umm Al Quwain	34637	80	$843	$1,568	$2,199	$2,923	41.06	286.04

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.