Cost of living in San Jose, California (United States) is 26% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 723 prices entered by 147 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 101% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, California (United States) is 101% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, California | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $31 (Dirham 114) | Dirham 45 | + 154% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $15 (Dirham 55) | Dirham 34 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 17 | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.45 (Dirham 5.32) | Dirham 7 | - 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $9 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 12 | + 155% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $2.91 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 6 | + 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 17 | + 83% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.96 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 9 | + 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.96 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 4.48 | + 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $7 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 10 | + 169% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $38 (Dirham 139) | Dirham 59 | + 135% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.74 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 8 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.01 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 5.13 | + 116% | |
| Housing | - 1% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, California (United States) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, California | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,696 (Dirham 13,576) | Dirham 14,724 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,560 (Dirham 9,403) | Dirham 9,417 | - 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $175 (Dirham 642) | Dirham 829 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,684 (Dirham 9,860) | Dirham 8,201 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,739 (Dirham 6,389) | Dirham 5,341 | + 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $237 (Dirham 870) | Dirham 622 | + 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $45 (Dirham 166) | Dirham 336 | - 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $277 (Dirham 1,018) | Dirham 770 | + 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $139 (Dirham 510) | Dirham 296 | + 72% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (Dirham 51) | Dirham 41 | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (Dirham 120) | Dirham 31 | + 290% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, California (United States) is 6% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, California | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (Dirham 212) | Dirham 251 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (Dirham 181) | Dirham 220 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $118 (Dirham 435) | Dirham 399 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $175 (Dirham 642) | Dirham 408 | + 57% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, California (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, California | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $34,262 (Dirham 125,845) | Dirham 92,536 | + 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.37 (Dirham 5.03) | Dirham 2.88 | + 75% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $80 (Dirham 294) | Dirham 303 | - 3% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $14 (Dirham 51) | Dirham 36 | + 40% | |
| Personal Care | + 85% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, California (United States) is 85% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, California | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 25 | + 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $39 (Dirham 143) | Dirham 38 | + 279% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $177 (Dirham 650) | Dirham 284 | + 129% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 21 | + 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.31 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 19 | - 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 21 | + 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $7 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 10 | + 152% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.50 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 13 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $26 (Dirham 95) | Dirham 40 | + 134% | |
| Entertainment | + 49% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, California (United States) is 49% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, California | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $68 (Dirham 250) | Dirham 147 | + 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $35 (Dirham 128) | Dirham 98 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $288 (Dirham 1,058) | Dirham 283 | + 274% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $158 (Dirham 581) | Dirham 275 | + 111% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (Dirham 55) | Dirham 75 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.91 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 22 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (Dirham 27) | Dirham 45 | - 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $466 (Dirham 1,712) | Dirham 1,999 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.50 (Dirham 1.85) | Dirham 0.56 | + 229% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $45 (Dirham 165) | Dirham 318 | - 48% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (Dirham 40) | Dirham 22 | + 84% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 26% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 723 prices entered by 147 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3.673
AED
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least Dirham 60,414 ($16,448) in San Jose, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Dirham 48,000 in Dubai.
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