Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 19% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 217 prices entered by 41 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 54 (C$19) | C$20 | - 7% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 (C$11) | C$10 | + 8% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 20 (C$7) | C$5.78 | + 21% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 5.78 (C$2.01) | C$1.98 | + 1% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 11 (C$3.70) | C$4.18 | - 11% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (C$2.15) | C$3.17 | - 32% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 32 (C$11) | C$10 | + 13% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 10 (C$3.63) | C$4.24 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.06 (C$1.41) | C$3.76 | - 62% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 15 (C$5.24) | C$3.41 | + 54% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 64 (C$22) | C$19 | + 16% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (C$2.61) | C$2.48 | + 6% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (C$1.76) | C$1.93 | - 9% | |
Housing | + 53% | |||
Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 53% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,006 (C$3,139) | C$2,136 | + 47% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,852 (C$2,039) | C$1,241 | + 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 661 (C$230) | C$124 | + 85% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,073 (C$1,768) | C$1,120 | + 58% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,093 (C$1,078) | C$805 | + 34% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 390 (C$136) | C$66 | + 105% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 310 (C$108) | C$54 | + 100% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,361 (C$474) | C$311 | + 52% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 327 (C$114) | C$97 | + 18% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 45 (C$16) | C$10 | + 53% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 (C$11) | C$25 | - 55% | |
Clothes | + 83% | |||
Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 83% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 248 (C$87) | C$60 | + 43% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 252 (C$88) | C$39 | + 124% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 422 (C$147) | C$98 | + 51% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 443 (C$154) | C$117 | + 31% | |
Transportation | - 30% | |||
Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 30% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 90,915 (C$31,682) | C$22,942 | + 38% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.69 (C$0.94) | C$1.40 | - 33% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 85 (C$30) | C$67 | - 56% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 24 (C$8) | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 37% | |||
Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 37% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 17 (C$5.86) | C$8 | - 29% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 63 (C$22) | C$22 | + 0% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 308 (C$107) | C$77 | + 40% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 23 (C$8) | C$6 | + 24% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (C$7) | C$3.85 | + 73% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (C$8) | C$4.33 | + 78% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 15 (C$5.32) | C$3.16 | + 68% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (C$4.68) | C$2.46 | + 90% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 73 (C$25) | C$20 | + 27% | |
Entertainment | + 25% | |||
Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 25% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 215 (C$75) | C$51 | + 46% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 93 (C$32) | C$27 | + 22% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 783 (C$273) | C$135 | + 102% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 476 (C$166) | C$96 | + 73% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 63 (C$22) | C$10 | + 126% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 26 (C$9) | C$5.42 | + 70% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 44 (C$15) | C$7 | + 133% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,128 (C$741) | C$647 | + 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.75 (C$0.26) | C$0.83 | - 68% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 363 (C$127) | C$37 | + 241% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (C$8) | C$11 | - 29% | |
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TOTAL | + 19% |

These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
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For example, you would need at least C$6,995 (Dirham 20,073) in Abu Dhabi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with C$5,900 in Abbotsford.
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