Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 15% more expensive than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,085 prices entered by 141 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 10% more expensive than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Barcelona, Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 56 (€15) | €19 | - 21% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 33 (€9) | €11 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 22 (€5.73) | €4.32 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.70) | €1.06 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€3.37) | €2.91 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.79 (€1.51) | €1.99 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 25 (€6) | €7 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 10 (€2.71) | €2.20 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.42 (€1.16) | €1.59 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 11 (€2.92) | €1.27 | + 130% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 84 (€22) | €10 | + 118% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 10 (€2.55) | €2.17 | + 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 6 (€1.66) | €1.12 | + 48% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 27% more expensive than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Barcelona, Spain | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 11,119 (€2,905) | €2,077 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,226 (€1,888) | €1,402 | + 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 671 (€175) | €159 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,537 (€1,447) | €1,302 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,757 (€982) | €993 | - 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 349 (€91) | €92 | - 0% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 224 (€58) | €30 | + 94% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,196 (€313) | €295 | + 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 332 (€87) | €97 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 47 (€12) | €8 | + 61% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 (€9) | €14 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 18% more expensive than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Barcelona, Spain | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 198 (€52) | €80 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 238 (€62) | €47 | + 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 551 (€144) | €84 | + 72% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 547 (€143) | €102 | + 40% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 31% cheaper than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Barcelona, Spain | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 125,266 (€32,728) | €30,801 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.99 (€0.78) | €1.60 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 72 (€19) | €31 | - 39% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 25 (€7) | €17 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | + 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 52% more expensive than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Barcelona, Spain | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 (€4.61) | €5.52 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 45 (€12) | €9 | + 34% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 (€86) | €56 | + 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 27 (€7) | €5.04 | + 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (€5.08) | €2.38 | + 113% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (€4.82) | €2.75 | + 75% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 18 (€4.64) | €2.06 | + 125% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 18 (€4.72) | €2.29 | + 106% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 62 (€16) | €25 | - 35% | |
| Entertainment | + 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 54% more expensive than in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | Barcelona, Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 227 (€59) | €43 | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (€25) | €17 | + 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 843 (€220) | €48 | + 356% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 523 (€137) | €53 | + 156% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 77 (€20) | €12 | + 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 26 (€7) | €3.58 | + 86% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 38 (€10) | €5.66 | + 76% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,834 (€479) | €461 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.09 (€0.28) | €0.28 | + 3% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 408 (€107) | €60 | + 78% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (€4.62) | €6 | - 27% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 15% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,085 prices entered by 141 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.26127
EUR
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least €6,573 (Dirham 25,157) in Abu Dhabi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €5,700 in Barcelona, Spain.
Do you live in Barcelona, Spain? We need your help!
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