Cost of living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Summary of cost of living in Abu Dhabi

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: Dirham 18,430
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: Dirham 11,829
  • Abu Dhabi is the 3rd cheapest city in Middle East (5 out of 7)
  • Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is more expensive than in 61% of cities in the World (75 out of 189)
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List of prices in Abu Dhabi
Current as of Mar 2024.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district Dirham 39
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) Dirham 32
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast Dirham 16
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk Dirham 6
12 eggs, large Dirham 13
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes Dirham 5.57
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese Dirham 16
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples Dirham 9
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes Dirham 3.75
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket Dirham 10
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality Dirham 65
2 liters of coca-cola Dirham 9
Bread for 2 people for 1 day Dirham 4.33
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area Dirham 10,772
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area Dirham 8,005
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat Dirham 795
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area Dirham 6,108
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area Dirham 4,265
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio Dirham 454
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) Dirham 343
40” flat screen tv Dirham 1,200
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) Dirham 307
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) Dirham 44
Hourly rate for cleaning help Dirham 36
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) Dirham 198
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) Dirham 184
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) Dirham 344
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes Dirham 350
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new Dirham 87,999
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas Dirham 3.00
Monthly ticket public transport Dirham 79
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) Dirham 26
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) Dirham 17
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) Dirham 47
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) Dirham 329
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) Dirham 24
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) Dirham 19
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) Dirham 24
4 rolls of toilet paper Dirham 15
Tube of toothpaste Dirham 13
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city Dirham 63
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub Dirham 204
2 tickets to the movies Dirham 91
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) Dirham 759
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert Dirham 272
1 cocktail drink in downtown club Dirham 71
Cappuccino in expat area of the city Dirham 20
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) Dirham 40
Ipad wi-fi 128gb Dirham 1,834
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) Dirham 0.70
1 month of gym membership in business district Dirham 266
1 package of marlboro cigarettes Dirham 20
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 167 prices entered by 36 different people.
Latest price update: March 18, 2024

Moving to Abu Dhabi with your children?

International Schools in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi position in our World Ranking

the world
75th
out of 189
middle east
5th
out of 7

Cheapest and most expensive products in Abu Dhabi compared to other cities:

the world
4th
the world
5th
middle east
1st
middle east
1st
middle east
1st
middle east
1st

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