Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 28% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 929 prices entered by 187 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | + 70% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 70% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $24 (Dirham 88) | Dirham 45 | + 96% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (Dirham 44) | Dirham 34 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (Dirham 28) | Dirham 17 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.99 (Dirham 3.64) | Dirham 7 | - 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $7 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 12 | + 94% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.44 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 6 | + 158% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (Dirham 27) | Dirham 17 | + 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.04 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 9 | + 108% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.32 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 4.48 | + 90% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.88 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 10 | + 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (Dirham 59) | Dirham 59 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.97 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 8 | + 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.30 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 5.13 | + 208% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,941 (Dirham 14,475) | Dirham 14,724 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,714 (Dirham 9,967) | Dirham 9,417 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $157 (Dirham 575) | Dirham 829 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,317 (Dirham 8,509) | Dirham 8,201 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,558 (Dirham 5,721) | Dirham 5,341 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $147 (Dirham 541) | Dirham 622 | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $66 (Dirham 243) | Dirham 336 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $242 (Dirham 888) | Dirham 770 | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $192 (Dirham 705) | Dirham 296 | + 138% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (Dirham 40) | Dirham 41 | - 3% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $42 (Dirham 153) | Dirham 31 | + 397% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 9% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $61 (Dirham 223) | Dirham 251 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (Dirham 184) | Dirham 220 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $99 (Dirham 363) | Dirham 399 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $145 (Dirham 534) | Dirham 408 | + 31% | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,007 (Dirham 113,891) | Dirham 92,536 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.04 (Dirham 3.84) | Dirham 2.88 | + 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (Dirham 276) | Dirham 303 | - 9% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $17 (Dirham 64) | Dirham 36 | + 74% | |
| Personal Care | + 83% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 83% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $11 (Dirham 42) | Dirham 25 | + 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $49 (Dirham 180) | Dirham 38 | + 379% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $136 (Dirham 500) | Dirham 284 | + 76% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 21 | + 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.54 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 19 | - 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 21 | + 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.84 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 10 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.14 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 13 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $36 (Dirham 133) | Dirham 40 | + 228% | |
| Entertainment | + 110% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 110% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $59 (Dirham 218) | Dirham 147 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (Dirham 111) | Dirham 98 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $292 (Dirham 1,073) | Dirham 283 | + 279% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (Dirham 382) | Dirham 275 | + 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 (Dirham 61) | Dirham 75 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.84 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 22 | - 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (Dirham 28) | Dirham 45 | - 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $605 (Dirham 2,222) | Dirham 1,999 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.43 (Dirham 5.24) | Dirham 0.56 | + 834% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $75 (Dirham 275) | Dirham 318 | - 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 (Dirham 56) | Dirham 22 | + 158% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 28% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3.673
AED
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 929 prices entered by 187 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
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