Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Gold Coast (Australia)
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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 925 prices entered by 240 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 13% | |||
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Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 13% 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 51 (AU$21) | AU$24 | - 13% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (AU$12) | AU$13 | - 9% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (AU$6) | AU$5.65 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (AU$2.81) | AU$1.76 | + 60% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (AU$6) | AU$7 | - 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.18 (AU$2.12) | AU$7 | - 70% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (AU$9) | AU$9 | + 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 7 (AU$3.00) | AU$4.11 | - 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.95 (AU$1.62) | AU$3.10 | - 48% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 (AU$5.89) | AU$7 | - 14% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (AU$24) | AU$21 | + 14% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (AU$3.51) | AU$2.39 | + 47% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.00 (AU$1.64) | AU$1.92 | - 14% | |
Housing | + 16% | |||
Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 16% 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 8,799 (AU$3,602) | AU$3,136 | + 15% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,282 (AU$2,572) | AU$2,311 | + 11% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 728 (AU$298) | AU$225 | + 33% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,234 (AU$2,143) | AU$1,884 | + 14% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,249 (AU$1,330) | AU$2,412 | - 45% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 517 (AU$212) | AU$127 | + 66% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 340 (AU$139) | AU$57 | + 145% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,343 (AU$550) | AU$546 | + 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 339 (AU$139) | AU$276 | - 50% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (AU$18) | AU$17 | + 1% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 45 (AU$18) | AU$30 | - 39% | |
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 243 (AU$99) | AU$86 | + 16% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 202 (AU$83) | AU$58 | + 43% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 333 (AU$136) | AU$115 | + 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 365 (AU$149) | AU$116 | + 29% | |
Transportation | - 22% | |||
Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 22% cheaper 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 94,044 (AU$38,499) | AU$35,463 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.54 (AU$1.45) | AU$1.76 | - 18% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 295 (AU$121) | AU$164 | - 26% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 41 (AU$17) | AU$31 | - 45% | |
Personal Care | + 19% | |||
Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 19% 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 | + 61% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 41 (AU$17) | AU$13 | + 25% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 283 (AU$116) | AU$80 | + 45% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 20 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 14% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (AU$7) | AU$7 | + 0% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (AU$8) | AU$7 | + 13% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (AU$4.61) | AU$3.62 | + 28% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (AU$6) | AU$3.06 | + 109% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 45 (AU$18) | AU$39 | - 52% | |
Entertainment | + 6% | |||
Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 6% more expensive than in Gold Coast (Australia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dubai | Gold Coast | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 193 (AU$79) | AU$70 | + 12% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 101 (AU$41) | AU$33 | + 24% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 292 (AU$119) | AU$122 | - 2% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 313 (AU$128) | AU$106 | + 21% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 94 (AU$38) | AU$21 | + 83% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (AU$10) | AU$5.03 | + 93% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (AU$18) | AU$9 | + 104% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,162 (AU$885) | AU$524 | + 69% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.49 (AU$0.20) | AU$0.49 | - 60% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 345 (AU$141) | AU$88 | + 60% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (AU$8) | AU$37 | - 79% | |
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TOTAL | - 2% |

These prices were last updated on March 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.40937
AUD
/
AED
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$10,000 in Gold Coast you would need to make just about AU$9,818 (Dirham 23,983) in Dubai.
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