Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 115% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 794 prices entered by 158 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 33% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Colombo | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (3,608 ₨) | 1,215 ₨ | + 197% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (2,771 ₨) | 1,916 ₨ | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (1,404 ₨) | 937 ₨ | + 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (535 ₨) | 531 ₨ | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (1,000 ₨) | 700 ₨ | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (496 ₨) | 390 ₨ | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 17 (1,407 ₨) | 2,479 ₨ | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (712 ₨) | 2,210 ₨ | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.48 (362 ₨) | 401 ₨ | - 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (768 ₨) | 602 ₨ | + 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (4,778 ₨) | 4,485 ₨ | + 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (650 ₨) | 456 ₨ | + 43% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.13 (414 ₨) | 218 ₨ | + 90% | |
| Housing | + 355% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 355% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Colombo | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,724 (1,188,044 ₨) | 231,749 ₨ | + 413% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,417 (759,836 ₨) | 115,917 ₨ | + 556% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 829 (66,857 ₨) | 35,862 ₨ | + 86% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,201 (661,693 ₨) | 121,224 ₨ | + 446% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,341 (430,988 ₨) | 65,248 ₨ | + 561% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 622 (50,150 ₨) | 16,099 ₨ | + 212% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 336 (27,086 ₨) | 4,258 ₨ | + 536% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 (62,108 ₨) | 164,840 ₨ | - 62% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 (23,888 ₨) | 52,976 ₨ | - 55% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 (3,277 ₨) | 3,439 ₨ | - 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (2,474 ₨) | 1,238 ₨ | + 100% | |
| Clothes | + 52% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 52% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Colombo | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 251 (20,286 ₨) | 13,791 ₨ | + 47% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (17,743 ₨) | 11,351 ₨ | + 56% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 399 (32,176 ₨) | 26,954 ₨ | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 408 (32,926 ₨) | 14,659 ₨ | + 125% | |
| Transportation | + 67% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 67% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Colombo | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 92,311 (7,448,476 ₨) | 16,366,200 ₨ | - 54% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (232 ₨) | 365 ₨ | - 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 299 (24,145 ₨) | 4,510 ₨ | + 435% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 36 (2,938 ₨) | 1,744 ₨ | + 68% | |
| Personal Care | + 114% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 114% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Colombo | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 (2,002 ₨) | 628 ₨ | + 219% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 (3,033 ₨) | 1,471 ₨ | + 106% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 (22,913 ₨) | 4,262 ₨ | + 438% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (1,699 ₨) | 1,568 ₨ | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (1,554 ₨) | 883 ₨ | + 76% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (1,686 ₨) | 814 ₨ | + 107% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (775 ₨) | 799 ₨ | - 3% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (1,015 ₨) | 310 ₨ | + 228% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 (3,264 ₨) | 1,729 ₨ | + 89% | |
| Entertainment | + 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 48% more expensive than in Colombo (Sri Lanka) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Colombo | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 (11,855 ₨) | 6,664 ₨ | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 98 (7,894 ₨) | 1,811 ₨ | + 336% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 (22,865 ₨) | 5,750 ₨ | + 298% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (22,215 ₨) | 10,622 ₨ | + 109% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 (6,067 ₨) | 2,783 ₨ | + 118% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (1,741 ₨) | 923 ₨ | + 89% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (3,651 ₨) | 763 ₨ | + 379% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (161,286 ₨) | 179,004 ₨ | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 (45 ₨) | 78 ₨ | - 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 318 (25,685 ₨) | 8,356 ₨ | + 207% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (1,771 ₨) | 4,309 ₨ | - 59% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 115% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 794 prices entered by 158 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
80.689
LKR
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least 1,504,569 ₨ (Dirham 18,646) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 700,000 ₨ in Colombo.
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