Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 14% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 612 prices entered by 141 different people.
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Food | - 17% | |||
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Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 17% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (£9) | £13 | - 31% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (£7) | £6 | + 9% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (£3.57) | £3.87 | - 8% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (£1.36) | £1.20 | + 13% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (£2.54) | £3.27 | - 22% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (£1.30) | £2.36 | - 45% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 17 (£3.58) | £5.27 | - 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (£1.82) | £2.35 | - 22% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.48 (£0.92) | £1.03 | - 11% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (£1.95) | £2.83 | - 31% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (£12) | £9 | + 38% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (£1.65) | £1.79 | - 7% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.13 (£1.05) | £1.34 | - 21% | |
Housing | + 100% | |||
Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 100% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,724 (£3,022) | £953 | + 217% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,417 (£1,933) | £1,073 | + 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 829 (£170) | £297 | - 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,201 (£1,683) | £702 | + 140% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,341 (£1,096) | £544 | + 102% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 622 (£128) | £125 | + 2% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 336 (£69) | £25 | + 175% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 (£158) | £418 | - 62% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 (£61) | £129 | - 53% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 (£8) | £7 | + 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (£6) | £13 | - 52% | |
Clothes | - 0% | |||
Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 251 (£52) | £69 | - 25% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (£45) | £37 | + 21% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 399 (£82) | £99 | - 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 408 (£84) | £52 | + 60% | |
Transportation | - 15% | |||
Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 15% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 92,311 (£18,948) | £17,412 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (£0.59) | £1.52 | - 61% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 303 (£62) | £65 | - 5% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 36 (£7) | £18 | - 59% | |
Personal Care | + 8% | |||
Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 8% more expensive than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 (£5.09) | £2.31 | + 121% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 (£8) | £4.96 | + 56% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 (£58) | £94 | - 38% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (£4.32) | £2.68 | + 62% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (£3.95) | £1.57 | + 152% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (£4.29) | £4.18 | + 3% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (£1.97) | £2.17 | - 9% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (£2.58) | £1.68 | + 54% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 (£8) | £13 | - 35% | |
Entertainment | - 9% | |||
Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 9% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 (£30) | £61 | - 50% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 98 (£20) | £15 | + 34% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 (£58) | £83 | - 30% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (£57) | £72 | - 22% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 (£15) | £7 | + 109% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (£4.43) | £3.57 | + 24% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (£9) | £4.42 | + 110% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (£410) | £502 | - 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 (£0.12) | £0.09 | + 28% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 318 (£65) | £50 | + 30% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (£4.47) | £11 | - 61% | |
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TOTAL | + 14% |

These prices were last updated on April 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
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For example, you would need at least £3,079 (Dirham 14,998) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £2,700 in Aberdeen.
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