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

Name: United Arab Emirates
Address: AE

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,007 (excluding rent), and $2,355 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,389 (excluding rent), and $4,976 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.05 AED 29.53

$4.02 AED 14.74

$21.45 AED 78.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.3 AED 247

$32.29 AED 119

$135 AED 494

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.69 AED 35.56

$8.31 AED 30.49

$11.07 AED 40.64

Cappuccino

$5.32 AED 19.52

$2.14 AED 7.84

$8.00 AED 29.37

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

$1.13 AED 4.15

$0.70 AED 2.56

$2.79 AED 10.26

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.59 AED 2.18

$0.28 AED 1.03

$1.99 AED 7.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.67 AED 42.81

$7.41 AED 27.20

$15.10 AED 55.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.44 AED 45.64

$9.68 AED 35.51

$16.59 AED 60.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 AED 6.96

$1.11 AED 4.06

$3.32 AED 12.18

White Bread (500g)

$1.39 AED 5.12

$0.81 AED 2.95

$3.21 AED 11.78

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.06 AED 7.55

$1.12 AED 4.10

$4.23 AED 15.54

Eggs

$3.19 AED 11.72

$1.55 AED 5.67

$6.65 AED 24.42

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.18 AED 37.36

$4.30 AED 15.77

$26.84 AED 98.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.70 AED 31.91

$4.11 AED 15.07

$14.85 AED 54.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.30 AED 41.46

$6.68 AED 24.51

$18.69 AED 68.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.20 AED 8.08

$1.32 AED 4.86

$3.45 AED 12.66

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 AED 6.49

$1.22 AED 4.46

$2.69 AED 9.86

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 AED 6.23

$0.59 AED 2.15

$3.72 AED 13.65

Tomato (1kg)

$1.40 AED 5.15

$0.81 AED 2.98

$2.16 AED 7.91

Potato (1kg)

$1.08 AED 3.98

$0.53 AED 1.94

$1.59 AED 5.85

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 AED 4.68

$0.69 AED 2.55

$1.95 AED 7.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.56 AED 5.72

$0.73 AED 2.67

$2.75 AED 10.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 AED 2.26

$0.40 AED 1.47

$1.07 AED 3.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.15 AED 22.58

$5.36 AED 19.66

$7.49 AED 27.49

Wine (Bottle)

$14.54 AED 53.4

$9.50 AED 34.87

$27.14 AED 99.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 AED 8.72

$1.38 AED 5.07

$4.14 AED 15.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 AED 10.52

$1.61 AED 5.91

$5.39 AED 19.77

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.37 AED 5.03

$0.69 AED 2.52

$2.74 AED 10.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.9 AED 201

$24.70 AED 90.7

$96.1 AED 353

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 AED 12.30

$1.67 AED 6.13

$4.18 AED 15.35

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.70 AED 2.56

$0.51 AED 1.88

$1.39 AED 5.11

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.15 AED 29.90

$7.47 AED 27.41

$13.58 AED 49.85

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 AED 2.89

$0.70 AED 2.55

$0.92 AED 3.38

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

$43.9K AED 161.3K

$26.8K AED 98.4K

$44.7K AED 164.1K

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

$22.2K AED 81.5K

$21.8K AED 80.1K

$22.9K AED 84.1K

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)

$59.9 AED 220

$27.52 AED 101

$96.3 AED 353

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$99.8 AED 366

$67.0 AED 246

$125 AED 457

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.8 AED 260

$32.49 AED 119

$135 AED 497

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.97 AED 143

$16.55 AED 60.7

$55.2 AED 202

Cinema Ticket

$13.83 AED 50.8

$11.06 AED 40.59

$20.74 AED 76.1

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

$673 AED 2,469

$324 AED 1,189

$1,350 AED 4,953

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.9K AED 43.8K

$6,778 AED 24.9K

$19.9K AED 73.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.0 AED 250

$24.71 AED 90.7

$137 AED 504

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.6 AED 233

$24.31 AED 89.2

$108 AED 396

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 AED 370

$54.4 AED 200

$163 AED 599

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 AED 382

$54.7 AED 201

$164 AED 602

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,721 AED 6,318

$730 AED 2,678

$3,293 AED 12.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,162 AED 4,264

$589 AED 2,162

$2,006 AED 7,361

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,412 AED 12.5K

$1,527 AED 5,603

$6,939 AED 25.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,436 AED 8,942

$1,228 AED 4,507

$4,913 AED 18.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,730 AED 21.0K

$3,448 AED 12.7K

$8,621 AED 31.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,321 AED 12.2K

$2,081 AED 7,637

$5,351 AED 19.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,950 AED 10.8K

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: April 13, 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	$950	$2,175	$2,288	$4,722	465.33	320.96
2	Ajman	238119	140	$981	$2,820	$2,058	$7,501	293.04	300.02
3	Al Ain	631005	80	$656	$1,607	$1,673	$3,167	381.43	284.19
4	Al Fujayrah	-	82	$1,104	$1,631	$2,473	$3,489	-	-
5	Dibba Al-Fujairah	-	102	$1,209	$2,067	$2,601	$4,195	58.82	231.57
6	Dubai	-	145	$1,101	$2,898	$2,696	$5,980	387.05	308.48
7	Fujairah	93673	75	$833	$1,462	$1,850	$3,283	76.43	250.62
8	Mussaffah	-	90	$925	$1,770	$2,185	$3,469	-	-
9	Ras al-Khaimah	241000	99	$1,063	$1,970	$2,447	$4,032	314.6	314.87
10	Ruwais	-	84	$946	$1,680	$1,680	$3,360	693.36	257.91
11	Sharjah	1400000	79	$791	$1,585	$1,795	$2,980	26.91	314.63
12	Umm Al Quwain	34637	80	$801	$1,589	$1,739	$2,942	178.41	326.97

United Arab Emirates Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.