Cost of living in Milan (Italy) is 7% 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 1,037 prices entered by 284 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 24% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Milan (Italy) is 24% 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 | €19 (Dirham 72) | Dirham 47 | + 53% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €12 (Dirham 48) | Dirham 31 | + 52% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.86 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 15 | + 51% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.36 (Dirham 5.33) | Dirham 6 | - 15% | |
12 eggs, large | €3.99 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 15 | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.53 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 4.75 | + 191% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 30 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.56 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 8 | + 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.77 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 3.72 | + 86% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.60 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 10 | - 40% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 68 | - 55% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €2.03 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | - 6% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.36 (Dirham 5.33) | Dirham 4.41 | + 21% | |
Housing | - 18% | |||
Housing in Milan (Italy) is 18% 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 | €1,971 (Dirham 7,707) | Dirham 8,389 | - 8% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,457 (Dirham 5,699) | Dirham 5,046 | + 13% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €196 (Dirham 768) | Dirham 835 | - 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,180 (Dirham 4,614) | Dirham 5,419 | - 15% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €957 (Dirham 3,742) | Dirham 3,583 | + 4% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €104 (Dirham 405) | Dirham 646 | - 37% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €25 (Dirham 96) | Dirham 296 | - 67% | |
40” flat screen tv | €384 (Dirham 1,502) | Dirham 789 | + 90% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €254 (Dirham 992) | Dirham 341 | + 191% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €5.83 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 40 | - 43% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 (Dirham 43) | Dirham 37 | + 17% | |
Clothes | + 2% | |||
Clothes in Milan (Italy) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €75 (Dirham 291) | Dirham 232 | + 26% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €45 (Dirham 177) | Dirham 205 | - 13% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €99 (Dirham 389) | Dirham 326 | + 19% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €123 (Dirham 481) | Dirham 392 | + 23% | |
Transportation | - 16% | |||
Transportation in Milan (Italy) is 16% 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 | €29,896 (Dirham 116,900) | Dirham 108,414 | + 8% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.87 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 2.95 | + 148% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €37 (Dirham 145) | Dirham 277 | - 48% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €21 (Dirham 83) | Dirham 51 | + 65% | |
Personal Care | + 9% | |||
Personal Care in Milan (Italy) is 9% more expensive than 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 37) | Dirham 22 | + 69% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €9 (Dirham 34) | Dirham 37 | - 9% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €86 (Dirham 337) | Dirham 241 | + 40% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.96 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 21 | + 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.85 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 16 | - 4% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.53 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 20 | - 30% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.69 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 13 | - 17% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €2.54 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 15 | - 36% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €20 (Dirham 80) | Dirham 39 | + 101% | |
Entertainment | - 8% | |||
Entertainment in Milan (Italy) is 8% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Milan | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €45 (Dirham 174) | Dirham 174 | + 0% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €21 (Dirham 81) | Dirham 97 | - 17% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €95 (Dirham 370) | Dirham 234 | + 58% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €102 (Dirham 398) | Dirham 414 | - 4% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 (Dirham 46) | Dirham 95 | - 52% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €1.73 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 24 | - 72% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €5.16 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 42 | - 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €481 (Dirham 1,879) | Dirham 2,081 | - 10% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.17 (Dirham 0.67) | Dirham 0.40 | + 68% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €76 (Dirham 296) | Dirham 276 | + 7% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.82 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 18 | + 24% | |
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TOTAL | - 7% |

These prices were last updated on September 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
3.910
AED
/
EUR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 27,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 25,117 (€6,423) in Milan.
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