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 $2,316 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,336 (excluding rent), and $5,006 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.20 AED 30.08

$4.09 AED 15.02

$21.85 AED 80.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.3 AED 254

$33.24 AED 122

$138 AED 508

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 AED 34.56

$8.07 AED 29.63

$10.76 AED 39.49

Cappuccino

$5.53 AED 20.30

$2.22 AED 8.15

$8.32 AED 30.54

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

$1.12 AED 4.13

$0.69 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 7.19

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.42 AED 41.90

$7.25 AED 26.62

$14.78 AED 54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.16 AED 44.61

$9.46 AED 34.71

$16.21 AED 59.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.86 AED 6.82

$1.08 AED 3.98

$3.25 AED 11.93

White Bread (500g)

$1.45 AED 5.33

$0.84 AED 3.08

$3.35 AED 12.28

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.17 AED 7.95

$1.18 AED 4.31

$4.46 AED 16.36

Eggs

$3.17 AED 11.63

$1.53 AED 5.63

$6.60 AED 24.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.24 AED 37.58

$4.32 AED 15.86

$26.99 AED 99.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.61 AED 31.59

$4.06 AED 14.92

$14.70 AED 54.0

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.30 AED 41.47

$6.68 AED 24.52

$18.70 AED 68.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.23 AED 8.18

$1.34 AED 4.92

$3.49 AED 12.81

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 AED 6.43

$1.20 AED 4.42

$2.66 AED 9.77

Oranges (1kg)

$1.72 AED 6.33

$0.59 AED 2.18

$3.77 AED 13.85

Tomato (1kg)

$1.39 AED 5.08

$0.80 AED 2.94

$2.13 AED 7.81

Potato (1kg)

$1.12 AED 4.11

$0.55 AED 2.00

$1.65 AED 6.04

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 AED 4.71

$0.70 AED 2.56

$1.96 AED 7.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.50 AED 5.49

$0.70 AED 2.57

$2.64 AED 9.69

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 AED 2.40

$0.43 AED 1.56

$1.13 AED 4.15

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.13 AED 22.51

$5.34 AED 19.59

$7.46 AED 27.40

Wine (Bottle)

$14.92 AED 54.7

$8.67 AED 31.83

$27.11 AED 99.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.36 AED 8.67

$1.37 AED 5.04

$4.12 AED 15.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 AED 10.48

$1.60 AED 5.89

$5.36 AED 19.69

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.38 AED 5.07

$0.69 AED 2.54

$2.76 AED 10.14

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.0 AED 198

$24.31 AED 89.2

$94.5 AED 347

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 AED 12.10

$1.64 AED 6.03

$4.11 AED 15.10

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.65 AED 2.37

$0.48 AED 1.74

$1.29 AED 4.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.29 AED 30.43

$7.60 AED 27.90

$13.82 AED 50.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 AED 2.89

$0.69 AED 2.55

$0.92 AED 3.37

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

$45.2K AED 165.8K

$27.6K AED 101.1K

$46.0K AED 168.7K

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

$22.5K AED 82.6K

$22.1K AED 81.1K

$23.2K AED 85.1K

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

$179 AED 658

$108 AED 397

$325 AED 1,192

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

$59.6 AED 219

$27.40 AED 101

$95.9 AED 352

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$101 AED 369

$67.5 AED 248

$125 AED 460

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$71.4 AED 262

$32.76 AED 120

$136 AED 501

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.90 AED 143

$16.52 AED 60.6

$55.1 AED 202

Cinema Ticket

$13.73 AED 50.4

$10.98 AED 40.29

$20.58 AED 75.6

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

$682 AED 2,504

$328 AED 1,206

$1,369 AED 5,023

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.2K AED 44.7K

$6,921 AED 25.4K

$20.3K AED 74.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.5 AED 251

$24.90 AED 91.4

$138 AED 508

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.8 AED 238

$24.78 AED 90.9

$110 AED 404

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 AED 371

$54.5 AED 200

$164 AED 600

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 AED 381

$54.6 AED 200

$164 AED 601

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,724 AED 6,326

$731 AED 2,681

$3,297 AED 12.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,184 AED 4,344

$600 AED 2,203

$2,043 AED 7,499

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,375 AED 12.4K

$1,510 AED 5,542

$6,864 AED 25.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,383 AED 8,747

$1,201 AED 4,409

$4,806 AED 17.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,785 AED 21.2K

$3,482 AED 12.8K

$8,706 AED 32.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,298 AED 12.1K

$2,085 AED 7,652

$5,361 AED 19.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,074 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: January 18, 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	$971	$2,221	$2,238	$4,721	523.57	324.28
2	Ajman	238119	140	$990	$2,831	$2,065	$7,530	228.91	332.81
3	Al Ain	631005	80	$679	$1,615	$1,978	$3,156	56.39	282.88
4	Al Fujayrah	-	82	$986	$1,619	$2,613	$3,541	-	-
5	Dibba Al-Fujairah	-	102	$1,111	$2,042	$2,775	$4,170	198.86	211.39
6	Dubai	-	145	$1,109	$2,862	$2,726	$5,898	212.21	303.36
7	Fujairah	93673	74	$1,066	$1,458	$2,045	$3,274	68.94	254.38
8	Mussaffah	-	90	$922	$1,769	$1,729	$3,426	-	-
9	Ras al-Khaimah	241000	99	$1,041	$1,977	$2,456	$4,116	144.7	278.19
10	Ruwais	-	84	$795	$1,660	$2,095	$3,241	135.8	223.47
11	Sharjah	1400000	79	$783	$1,602	$1,747	$3,035	54.59	321.05
12	Umm Al Quwain	34637	80	$1,036	$1,626	$1,937	$2,886	41.06	286.04

United Arab Emirates Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

172

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

307

Mbps

156

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.