Cost of living in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 22% more expensive than in Beijing (China)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 85 prices entered by 17 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 65% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 65% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Beijing | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 72 (142元) | 34元 | + 313% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 (56元) | 36元 | + 55% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 10 (20元) | 12元 | + 71% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 5.88 (12元) | 14元 | - 14% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 9 (17元) | 16元 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.43 (11元) | 9元 | + 23% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 (44元) | 54元 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (16元) | 15元 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.55 (9元) | 6元 | + 47% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 8 (16元) | 6元 | + 161% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 62 (122元) | 79元 | + 54% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 5.65 (11元) | 10元 | + 15% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.48 (7元) | 10元 | - 32% | |
Housing | + 24% | |||
Housing in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 24% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Beijing | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 4,683 (9,248元) | 16,590元 | - 44% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 4,604 (9,093元) | 8,120元 | + 12% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 536 (1,059元) | 382元 | + 177% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,911 (9,698元) | 7,358元 | + 32% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,245 (6,409元) | 4,126元 | + 55% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 356 (703元) | 193元 | + 265% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 260 (514元) | 91元 | + 467% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,423 (2,811元) | 1,862元 | + 51% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 471 (931元) | 560元 | + 66% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 30 (58元) | 34元 | + 73% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (62元) | 57元 | + 9% | |
Clothes | + 12% | |||
Clothes in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 12% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Beijing | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 195 (385元) | 441元 | - 13% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 196 (387元) | 252元 | + 54% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 279 (551元) | 597元 | - 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 298 (589元) | 797元 | - 26% | |
Transportation | - 20% | |||
Transportation in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 20% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Beijing | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 79,817 (157,633元) | 154,765元 | + 2% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.63 (5.20元) | 8元 | - 38% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 93 (184元) | 249元 | - 26% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 26 (51元) | 38元 | + 35% | |
Personal Care | + 37% | |||
Personal Care in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 37% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Beijing | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 20 (39元) | 28元 | + 38% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 53 (105元) | 46元 | + 130% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 234 (463元) | 242元 | + 91% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 25 (49元) | 43元 | + 14% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (35元) | 38元 | - 9% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 19 (37元) | 25元 | + 47% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 9 (18元) | 10元 | + 86% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 8 (16元) | 14元 | + 11% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 30 (60元) | 86元 | - 30% | |
Entertainment | + 40% | |||
Entertainment in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 40% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Al Ain | Beijing | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 168 (331元) | 239元 | + 39% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 90 (179元) | 120元 | + 49% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 420 (829元) | 951元 | - 13% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 214 (423元) | 200元 | + 112% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 36 (70元) | 73元 | - 4% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (42元) | 28元 | + 48% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 22 (44元) | 10元 | + 316% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,617 (3,194元) | 3,423元 | - 7% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.32 (0.64元) | 0.41元 | + 54% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 249 (491元) | 389元 | + 26% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 11 (22元) | 25元 | - 11% | |
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TOTAL | + 22% |

These prices were last updated on February 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.975
CNY
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least 65,717元 (Dirham 33,276) in Al Ain to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 54,000元 in Beijing.
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