Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 51% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 891 prices entered by 183 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 23% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 49 lei (Dirham 41) | Dirham 45 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 33 lei (Dirham 27) | Dirham 34 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (Dirham 14) | Dirham 17 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 8 lei (Dirham 6) | Dirham 7 | - 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 14 lei (Dirham 11) | Dirham 12 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 lei (Dirham 9) | Dirham 6 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 21 lei (Dirham 18) | Dirham 17 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.66 lei (Dirham 3.91) | Dirham 9 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3.77 lei (Dirham 3.16) | Dirham 4.48 | - 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.73 lei (Dirham 3.97) | Dirham 10 | - 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 32 lei (Dirham 27) | Dirham 59 | - 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 10 lei (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | + 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 2.75 lei (Dirham 2.31) | Dirham 5.13 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 73% | |||
| Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 73% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,228 lei (Dirham 3,543) | Dirham 14,724 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,699 lei (Dirham 2,262) | Dirham 9,417 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 579 lei (Dirham 485) | Dirham 829 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,536 lei (Dirham 2,125) | Dirham 8,201 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,894 lei (Dirham 1,587) | Dirham 5,341 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 370 lei (Dirham 310) | Dirham 622 | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 36 lei (Dirham 30) | Dirham 336 | - 91% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,360 lei (Dirham 1,140) | Dirham 770 | + 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 422 lei (Dirham 353) | Dirham 296 | + 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 48 lei (Dirham 41) | Dirham 41 | + 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 60 lei (Dirham 50) | Dirham 31 | + 64% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 20% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 342 lei (Dirham 287) | Dirham 251 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 157 lei (Dirham 132) | Dirham 220 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 407 lei (Dirham 341) | Dirham 399 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 341 lei (Dirham 286) | Dirham 408 | - 30% | |
| Transportation | - 51% | |||
| Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is 51% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 109,060 lei (Dirham 91,403) | Dirham 92,536 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (Dirham 6) | Dirham 2.88 | + 114% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 87 lei (Dirham 73) | Dirham 303 | - 76% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26 lei (Dirham 22) | Dirham 37 | - 40% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 16% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 30 lei (Dirham 25) | Dirham 25 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 41 lei (Dirham 34) | Dirham 38 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 253 lei (Dirham 212) | Dirham 284 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 24 lei (Dirham 20) | Dirham 21 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 18 lei (Dirham 15) | Dirham 19 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 23 lei (Dirham 20) | Dirham 21 | - 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (Dirham 6) | Dirham 10 | - 35% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16 lei (Dirham 13) | Dirham 13 | + 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 56 lei (Dirham 47) | Dirham 40 | + 15% | |
| Entertainment | - 32% | |||
| Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 32% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 126 lei (Dirham 106) | Dirham 147 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 60 lei (Dirham 50) | Dirham 98 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 168 lei (Dirham 141) | Dirham 283 | - 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 214 lei (Dirham 179) | Dirham 275 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 33 lei (Dirham 28) | Dirham 75 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 14 lei (Dirham 12) | Dirham 22 | - 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 11 lei (Dirham 10) | Dirham 45 | - 79% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,810 lei (Dirham 3,193) | Dirham 1,999 | + 60% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.63 lei (Dirham 0.53) | Dirham 0.56 | - 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 183 lei (Dirham 154) | Dirham 318 | - 52% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27 lei (Dirham 23) | Dirham 22 | + 5% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 51% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.838
AED
/
RON
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 891 prices entered by 183 different people.
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