Cost of living in Milan (Italy) is 12% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 846 prices entered by 181 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 18% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Milan (Italy) is 18% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €17 (Dirham 66) | Dirham 54 | + 23% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (Dirham 43) | Dirham 35 | + 25% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.99 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 18 | + 29% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.56 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 6 | - 2% | |
12 eggs, large | €4.34 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 13 | + 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €4.48 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 6 | + 185% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 25 | + 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.20 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 9 | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.72 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 4.60 | + 45% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.68 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 12 | - 46% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €9 (Dirham 34) | Dirham 59 | - 42% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €2.53 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 8 | + 21% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.71 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 4.97 | + 33% | |
Housing | - 20% | |||
Housing in Milan (Italy) is 20% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €2,570 (Dirham 9,917) | Dirham 11,434 | - 13% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,625 (Dirham 6,270) | Dirham 6,965 | - 10% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €155 (Dirham 598) | Dirham 845 | - 29% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,547 (Dirham 5,968) | Dirham 7,512 | - 21% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €1,008 (Dirham 3,887) | Dirham 4,907 | - 21% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €114 (Dirham 441) | Dirham 541 | - 18% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €27 (Dirham 102) | Dirham 233 | - 56% | |
40” flat screen tv | €361 (Dirham 1,393) | Dirham 770 | + 81% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €154 (Dirham 596) | Dirham 296 | + 101% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 43 | - 30% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €12 (Dirham 46) | Dirham 34 | + 35% | |
Clothes | + 56% | |||
Clothes in Milan (Italy) is 56% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €88 (Dirham 338) | Dirham 120 | + 182% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €43 (Dirham 165) | Dirham 137 | + 20% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €106 (Dirham 407) | Dirham 373 | + 9% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €149 (Dirham 576) | Dirham 364 | + 58% | |
Transportation | - 30% | |||
Transportation in Milan (Italy) is 30% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €30,258 (Dirham 116,740) | Dirham 88,808 | + 31% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.74 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 2.90 | + 131% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €38 (Dirham 147) | Dirham 351 | - 58% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €23 (Dirham 90) | Dirham 49 | + 85% | |
Personal Care | + 3% | |||
Personal Care in Milan (Italy) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 (Dirham 36) | Dirham 25 | + 47% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €9 (Dirham 33) | Dirham 38 | - 11% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €89 (Dirham 342) | Dirham 284 | + 21% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.96 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 21 | + 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.58 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 19 | - 28% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.39 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 21 | - 37% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.69 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 10 | + 8% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €2.32 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 13 | - 29% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 (Dirham 91) | Dirham 40 | + 125% | |
Entertainment | - 3% | |||
Entertainment in Milan (Italy) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €47 (Dirham 181) | Dirham 147 | + 24% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €21 (Dirham 83) | Dirham 88 | - 6% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €99 (Dirham 382) | Dirham 283 | + 35% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €85 (Dirham 330) | Dirham 288 | + 14% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €14 (Dirham 53) | Dirham 75 | - 30% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.17 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 26 | - 68% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €6 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 40 | - 40% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €481 (Dirham 1,854) | Dirham 1,999 | - 7% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.17 (Dirham 0.66) | Dirham 0.56 | + 18% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €69 (Dirham 265) | Dirham 296 | - 11% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €6 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 18 | + 27% | |
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TOTAL | - 12% |

These prices were last updated on February 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 36,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 31,753 (€8,230) in Milan.
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