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

Name: United Arab Emirates
Address: AE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $994 (excluding rent), and $2,335 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,352 (excluding rent), and $5,029 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.10 AED 29.72

$4.04 AED 14.84

$21.59 AED 79.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.7 AED 249

$32.51 AED 119

$135 AED 497

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.77 AED 35.87

$8.38 AED 30.75

$11.17 AED 40.99

Cappuccino

$5.50 AED 20.17

$2.21 AED 8.10

$8.27 AED 30.35

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

$1.12 AED 4.13

$0.70 AED 2.55

$2.78 AED 10.20

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.59 AED 2.15

$0.28 AED 1.02

$1.96 AED 7.20

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.46 AED 42.07

$7.28 AED 26.73

$14.84 AED 54.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.34 AED 45.28

$9.60 AED 35.23

$16.46 AED 60.4

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 AED 6.67

$1.06 AED 3.89

$3.18 AED 11.66

White Bread (500g)

$1.46 AED 5.36

$0.84 AED 3.10

$3.36 AED 12.34

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 AED 7.68

$1.14 AED 4.17

$4.30 AED 15.80

Eggs

$3.16 AED 11.61

$1.53 AED 5.62

$6.59 AED 24.18

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.24 AED 37.59

$4.32 AED 15.86

$27.00 AED 99.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.39 AED 30.80

$3.96 AED 14.55

$14.34 AED 52.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.46 AED 42.05

$6.77 AED 24.86

$18.96 AED 69.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 AED 8.38

$1.37 AED 5.05

$3.58 AED 13.13

Banana (1kg)

$1.78 AED 6.53

$1.22 AED 4.49

$2.70 AED 9.92

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 AED 6.20

$0.58 AED 2.14

$3.70 AED 13.58

Tomato (1kg)

$1.44 AED 5.29

$0.83 AED 3.06

$2.21 AED 8.13

Potato (1kg)

$1.08 AED 3.97

$0.53 AED 1.93

$1.59 AED 5.82

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 AED 4.66

$0.69 AED 2.54

$1.94 AED 7.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.57 AED 5.78

$0.74 AED 2.70

$2.78 AED 10.21

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 AED 2.26

$0.40 AED 1.47

$1.06 AED 3.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.11 AED 22.43

$5.32 AED 19.53

$7.44 AED 27.31

Wine (Bottle)

$15.21 AED 55.8

$9.67 AED 35.50

$27.64 AED 101

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 AED 8.69

$1.38 AED 5.05

$4.13 AED 15.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 AED 10.95

$1.68 AED 6.16

$5.61 AED 20.59

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.34 AED 4.90

$0.67 AED 2.45

$2.67 AED 9.80

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.5 AED 200

$24.54 AED 90.1

$95.4 AED 350

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.20 AED 11.74

$1.60 AED 5.85

$3.99 AED 14.65

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.67 AED 2.45

$0.49 AED 1.80

$1.34 AED 4.90

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.98 AED 29.27

$7.31 AED 26.83

$13.30 AED 48.79

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.75 AED 2.75

$0.66 AED 2.43

$0.87 AED 3.21

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

$45.2K AED 166.0K

$27.6K AED 101.2K

$46.0K AED 168.9K

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

$22.5K AED 82.4K

$22.1K AED 81.0K

$23.2K AED 85.0K

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

$183 AED 670

$110 AED 404

$331 AED 1,213

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

$59.1 AED 217

$27.17 AED 99.7

$95.1 AED 349

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$103 AED 379

$69.2 AED 254

$129 AED 473

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.8 AED 260

$32.50 AED 119

$135 AED 497

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.69 AED 142

$16.43 AED 60.3

$54.8 AED 201

Cinema Ticket

$13.88 AED 51.0

$11.10 AED 40.74

$20.82 AED 76.4

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

$672 AED 2,467

$324 AED 1,188

$1,349 AED 4,949

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K AED 43.5K

$6,730 AED 24.7K

$19.7K AED 72.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.7 AED 249

$24.61 AED 90.3

$137 AED 502

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.4 AED 233

$24.24 AED 89.0

$108 AED 395

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.1 AED 364

$53.5 AED 196

$160 AED 589

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 AED 378

$54.1 AED 198

$162 AED 595

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,712 AED 6,282

$726 AED 2,663

$3,274 AED 12.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,167 AED 4,281

$591 AED 2,170

$2,014 AED 7,390

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,357 AED 12.3K

$1,502 AED 5,513

$6,828 AED 25.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,439 AED 8,951

$1,229 AED 4,512

$4,918 AED 18.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,926 AED 21.7K

$3,587 AED 13.2K

$8,968 AED 32.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,200 AED 11.7K

$2,024 AED 7,429

$5,205 AED 19.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,069 AED 11.3K

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: March 3, 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	$952	$2,195	$2,263	$4,714	523.57	324.28
2	Ajman	238119	140	$1,000	$2,747	$2,067	$7,611	228.91	332.81
3	Al Ain	631005	80	$844	$1,577	$1,609	$3,251	56.39	282.88
4	Al Fujayrah	-	82	$878	$1,650	$2,697	$3,566	-	-
5	Dibba Al-Fujairah	-	102	$930	$2,058	$2,349	$4,184	198.86	211.39
6	Dubai	-	145	$1,100	$2,935	$2,719	$5,775	212.21	303.36
7	Fujairah	93673	74	$973	$1,476	$2,215	$3,307	68.94	254.38
8	Mussaffah	-	90	$796	$1,765	$2,169	$3,414	-	-
9	Ras al-Khaimah	241000	99	$1,057	$2,005	$2,391	$4,041	144.7	278.19
10	Ruwais	-	84	$864	$1,683	$1,834	$3,287	135.8	223.47
11	Sharjah	1400000	79	$772	$1,586	$1,780	$2,980	54.59	321.05
12	Umm Al Quwain	34637	80	$910	$1,579	$2,105	$2,885	41.06	286.04

United Arab Emirates Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.