Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 22% more expensive than in Gold Coast (Australia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 605 prices entered by 123 different people.
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Food | - 18% | |||
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Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 18% cheaper than in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (AU$19) | AU$26 | - 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (AU$14) | AU$14 | + 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (AU$7) | AU$5.70 | + 29% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (AU$2.77) | AU$1.84 | + 51% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (AU$5.23) | AU$6 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (AU$2.63) | AU$7 | - 64% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 17 (AU$7) | AU$9 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (AU$3.72) | AU$4.16 | - 11% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.64 (AU$1.95) | AU$3.58 | - 46% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (AU$3.73) | AU$7 | - 48% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 (AU$25) | AU$24 | + 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (AU$3.11) | AU$3.09 | + 1% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.13 (AU$2.15) | AU$1.66 | + 30% | |
Housing | + 58% | |||
Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 58% more expensive than in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,523 (AU$6,095) | AU$3,153 | + 93% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,139 (AU$3,835) | AU$2,298 | + 67% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 829 (AU$348) | AU$225 | + 55% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,201 (AU$3,442) | AU$2,446 | + 41% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,341 (AU$2,242) | AU$2,021 | + 11% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 622 (AU$261) | AU$127 | + 105% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 336 (AU$141) | AU$61 | + 129% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 (AU$323) | AU$546 | - 41% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 (AU$124) | AU$186 | - 33% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 (AU$17) | AU$11 | + 54% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 (AU$14) | AU$38 | - 64% | |
Clothes | + 33% | |||
Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 33% more expensive than in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 251 (AU$106) | AU$96 | + 10% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (AU$92) | AU$58 | + 60% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 399 (AU$167) | AU$133 | + 26% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 408 (AU$171) | AU$147 | + 16% | |
Transportation | + 25% | |||
Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 25% more expensive than in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 92,536 (AU$38,837) | AU$35,750 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.86 (AU$1.20) | AU$1.94 | - 38% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 303 (AU$127) | AU$82 | + 56% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 37 (AU$15) | AU$31 | - 50% | |
Personal Care | + 22% | |||
Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 22% more expensive than in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 (AU$10) | AU$6 | + 63% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 (AU$16) | AU$13 | + 19% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 (AU$119) | AU$81 | + 47% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (AU$9) | AU$8 | + 9% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 16% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (AU$9) | AU$7 | + 21% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (AU$4.03) | AU$3.62 | + 11% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (AU$5.28) | AU$3.06 | + 73% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 (AU$17) | AU$30 | - 43% | |
Entertainment | - 3% | |||
Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 (AU$62) | AU$65 | - 5% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 98 (AU$41) | AU$33 | + 23% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 (AU$119) | AU$122 | - 2% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (AU$116) | AU$112 | + 3% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 (AU$32) | AU$19 | + 67% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$5.21 | + 75% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (AU$19) | AU$9 | + 109% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (AU$839) | AU$626 | + 34% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 (AU$0.24) | AU$0.49 | - 52% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 320 (AU$134) | AU$88 | + 52% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$37 | - 75% | |
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TOTAL | + 22% |

These prices were last updated on June 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.41969
AUD
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least AU$11,919 (Dirham 28,400) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with AU$9,800 in Gold Coast.
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