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

67.9

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $986 (excluding rent), and $2,369 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,313 (excluding rent), and $5,030 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.03 AED 29.47

$4.01 AED 14.72

$21.39 AED 78.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69 AED 253

$33.12 AED 122

$138 AED 507

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 AED 34.57

$8.07 AED 29.64

$10.76 AED 39.51

Cappuccino

$5.27 AED 19.37

$2.12 AED 7.77

$7.93 AED 29.14

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)

$0.59 AED 2.15

$0.28 AED 1.02

$1.96 AED 7.21

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.47 AED 42.13

$7.29 AED 26.76

$14.85 AED 54.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.38 AED 45.47

$9.63 AED 35.37

$16.52 AED 60.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 AED 6.94

$1.1 AED 4.05

$3.31 AED 12.14

White Bread (500g)

$1.41 AED 5.17

$0.81 AED 2.99

$3.24 AED 11.91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.18 AED 8.01

$1.18 AED 4.35

$4.49 AED 16.48

Eggs

$3.22 AED 11.82

$1.56 AED 5.72

$6.7 AED 24.61

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.45 AED 38.39

$4.41 AED 16.2

$27.56 AED 101

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.49 AED 31.19

$4.01 AED 14.73

$14.51 AED 53.3

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.72 AED 43.03

$6.93 AED 25.44

$19.39 AED 71.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.2 AED 8.07

$1.32 AED 4.86

$3.44 AED 12.65

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 AED 6.76

$1.26 AED 4.64

$2.8 AED 10.27

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 AED 6.26

$0.59 AED 2.16

$3.73 AED 13.71

Tomato (1kg)

$1.41 AED 5.16

$0.81 AED 2.98

$2.16 AED 7.92

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 AED 4

$0.53 AED 1.95

$1.6 AED 5.88

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 AED 4.47

$0.66 AED 2.43

$1.86 AED 6.83

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.52 AED 5.6

$0.71 AED 2.62

$2.69 AED 9.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 AED 2.39

$0.42 AED 1.56

$1.13 AED 4.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.41 AED 23.52

$5.58 AED 20.48

$7.8 AED 28.64

Wine (Bottle)

$13.85 AED 50.8

$7.32 AED 26.88

$27.68 AED 102

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.39 AED 8.76

$1.39 AED 5.09

$4.16 AED 15.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 AED 10.5

$1.61 AED 5.9

$5.37 AED 19.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.39 AED 5.11

$0.7 AED 2.56

$2.79 AED 10.23

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.4 AED 200

$24.5 AED 90

$95.3 AED 350

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 AED 11.68

$1.59 AED 5.82

$3.97 AED 14.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.67 AED 2.45

$0.49 AED 1.8

$1.33 AED 4.89

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.35 AED 30.65

$7.65 AED 28.1

$13.91 AED 51.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.73 AED 2.69

$0.65 AED 2.38

$0.86 AED 3.15

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

$45.1K AED 165.5K

$27.5K AED 100.9K

$45.9K AED 168.4K

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

$22.3K AED 81.9K

$21.9K AED 80.5K

$23K AED 84.4K

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

$183 AED 674

$111 AED 407

$332 AED 1,220

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

$60.3 AED 222

$27.72 AED 102

$97 AED 356

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 371

$67.8 AED 249

$126 AED 463

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.5 AED 259

$32.37 AED 119

$135 AED 495

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.26 AED 141

$16.25 AED 59.7

$54.2 AED 199

Cinema Ticket

$13.89 AED 51

$11.11 AED 40.79

$20.83 AED 76.5

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

$690 AED 2,535

$332 AED 1,220

$1,385 AED 5,085

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.1K AED 44.6K

$6,889 AED 25.3K

$20.2K AED 74.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 AED 248

$24.53 AED 90.1

$136 AED 500

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.1 AED 235

$24.52 AED 90

$109 AED 400

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.8 AED 366

$53.9 AED 198

$162 AED 593

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 AED 376

$53.9 AED 198

$162 AED 593

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,700 AED 6,241

$720 AED 2,645

$3,251 AED 11.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,191 AED 4,374

$604 AED 2,218

$2,056 AED 7,551

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,302 AED 12.1K

$1,477 AED 5,425

$6,715 AED 24.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,396 AED 8,797

$1,208 AED 4,435

$4,831 AED 17.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,677 AED 24.5K

$4,470 AED 16.4K

$8,941 AED 32.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,723 AED 13.7K

$2,535 AED 9,307

$5,964 AED 21.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,296 AED 12.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.63

6.5

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

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.