Cost of living in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Abbotsford (Canada)
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Currency:
Food | - 8% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 8% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 60 (C$22) | C$20 | + 9% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 (C$10) | C$10 | + 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 13 (C$4.61) | C$5.78 | - 20% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 5.53 (C$2.02) | C$1.98 | + 2% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 9 (C$3.37) | C$4.18 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.63 (C$2.06) | C$3.17 | - 35% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 (C$8) | C$10 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (C$3.16) | C$4.24 | - 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.73 (C$1.73) | C$3.76 | - 54% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (C$3.69) | C$3.41 | + 8% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 62 (C$23) | C$19 | + 18% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 5.65 (C$2.06) | C$2.48 | - 17% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.92 (C$1.43) | C$1.93 | - 26% | |
Housing | + 34% | |||
Housing in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 34% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 5,436 (C$1,985) | C$2,136 | - 7% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,338 (C$1,949) | C$1,257 | + 55% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 556 (C$203) | C$124 | + 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,911 (C$1,793) | C$1,120 | + 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,245 (C$1,185) | C$805 | + 47% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 356 (C$130) | C$66 | + 96% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 284 (C$104) | C$54 | + 92% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,423 (C$520) | C$311 | + 67% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 471 (C$172) | C$97 | + 78% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 32 (C$12) | C$10 | + 17% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (C$11) | C$25 | - 55% | |
Clothes | + 46% | |||
Clothes in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 46% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 195 (C$71) | C$60 | + 18% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 196 (C$72) | C$39 | + 82% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 279 (C$102) | C$98 | + 4% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 298 (C$109) | C$117 | - 7% | |
Transportation | - 29% | |||
Transportation in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 29% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 79,817 (C$29,141) | C$22,942 | + 27% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 1.91 (C$0.70) | C$1.67 | - 58% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 103 (C$38) | C$67 | - 44% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 12% | |||
Personal Care in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 12% more expensive than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 20 (C$7) | C$8 | - 13% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 53 (C$19) | C$22 | - 11% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 234 (C$86) | C$77 | + 11% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 25 (C$9) | C$6 | + 39% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (C$6) | C$3.85 | + 66% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 19 (C$7) | C$4.33 | + 59% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 9 (C$3.30) | C$3.16 | + 4% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 8 (C$2.90) | C$2.46 | + 18% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 37 (C$14) | C$20 | - 31% | |
Entertainment | - 21% | |||
Entertainment in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 21% cheaper than in Abbotsford (Canada) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Abbotsford | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (C$65) | C$51 | + 27% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (C$29) | C$27 | + 10% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 420 (C$153) | C$135 | + 13% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 214 (C$78) | C$96 | - 19% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 36 (C$13) | C$10 | + 34% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (C$8) | C$5.42 | + 42% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 25 (C$9) | C$7 | + 37% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,617 (C$591) | C$647 | - 9% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.32 (C$0.12) | C$0.83 | - 86% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 285 (C$104) | C$37 | + 180% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 11 (C$4.06) | C$11 | - 63% | |
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TOTAL | - 2% |

These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$5,800 in Abbotsford you would need to make just about C$5,710 (Dirham 15,639) in Al Ain.
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