Cost of living in Rome (Italy) is 21% 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 746 prices entered by 175 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 24% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Rome (Italy) is 24% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rome | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €16 (Dirham 66) | Dirham 45 | + 48% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €10 (Dirham 42) | Dirham 34 | + 24% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.70 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 17 | + 37% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.51 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 7 | - 5% | |
12 eggs, large | €4.15 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 12 | + 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.56 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 6 | + 135% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 17 | + 100% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.93 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 9 | + 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.63 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 4.48 | + 51% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.51 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 10 | - 34% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 59 | - 49% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €2.04 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 8 | + 6% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.37 (Dirham 5.71) | Dirham 5.13 | + 11% | |
Housing | - 43% | |||
Housing in Rome (Italy) is 43% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rome | Dubai | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,905 (Dirham 7,956) | Dirham 14,724 | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,232 (Dirham 5,144) | Dirham 9,417 | - 45% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €210 (Dirham 877) | Dirham 829 | + 6% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,181 (Dirham 4,931) | Dirham 8,201 | - 40% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €802 (Dirham 3,350) | Dirham 5,341 | - 37% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €112 (Dirham 468) | Dirham 622 | - 25% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €27 (Dirham 111) | Dirham 336 | - 67% | |
40” flat screen tv | €436 (Dirham 1,821) | Dirham 770 | + 137% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €129 (Dirham 540) | Dirham 296 | + 82% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 41 | - 27% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €9 (Dirham 39) | Dirham 31 | + 27% | |
Clothes | - 15% | |||
Clothes in Rome (Italy) is 15% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rome | Dubai | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €70 (Dirham 291) | Dirham 251 | + 16% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €29 (Dirham 121) | Dirham 220 | - 45% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €97 (Dirham 406) | Dirham 399 | + 2% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €120 (Dirham 499) | Dirham 408 | + 22% | |
Transportation | - 23% | |||
Transportation in Rome (Italy) is 23% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rome | Dubai | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €26,754 (Dirham 111,755) | Dirham 92,311 | + 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.85 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 2.88 | + 168% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €35 (Dirham 146) | Dirham 303 | - 52% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €13 (Dirham 53) | Dirham 36 | + 46% | |
Personal Care | + 18% | |||
Personal Care in Rome (Italy) is 18% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rome | Dubai | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €7 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 25 | + 21% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €9 (Dirham 38) | Dirham 38 | + 0% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €107 (Dirham 445) | Dirham 284 | + 57% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.80 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 21 | - 5% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.84 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 19 | - 17% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.99 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 21 | - 20% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.73 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 10 | + 19% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €2.72 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 13 | - 10% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 (Dirham 101) | Dirham 40 | + 150% | |
Entertainment | - 8% | |||
Entertainment in Rome (Italy) is 8% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rome | Dubai | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €44 (Dirham 182) | Dirham 147 | + 24% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €19 (Dirham 78) | Dirham 98 | - 20% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €81 (Dirham 337) | Dirham 283 | + 19% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €70 (Dirham 293) | Dirham 275 | + 7% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 (Dirham 44) | Dirham 75 | - 41% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €1.74 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 22 | - 66% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.96 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 45 | - 54% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €590 (Dirham 2,466) | Dirham 1,999 | + 23% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.17 (Dirham 0.72) | Dirham 0.56 | + 28% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €44 (Dirham 185) | Dirham 318 | - 42% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €7 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 22 | + 33% | |
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TOTAL | - 21% |

These prices were last updated on April 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.177
AED
/
EUR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 44,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 34,969 (€8,372) in Rome.
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