Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 18% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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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 796 prices entered by 216 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 ($14) | $14 | - 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 ($8) | $8 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 ($4.03) | $4.70 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.88) | $0.91 | + 107% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 16 ($4.28) | $2.33 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.27 ($1.44) | - | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 ($6) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 7 ($2.03) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.04 ($1.10) | $1.59 | - 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 ($3.77) | $2.40 | + 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 ($16) | $14 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 ($2.32) | $1.84 | + 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.02 ($1.09) | $2.26 | - 52% | |
| Housing | + 41% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 41% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,334 ($2,541) | $1,810 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,323 ($1,722) | $1,036 | + 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 730 ($199) | $122 | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,583 ($1,520) | $1,075 | + 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,165 ($862) | $753 | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 515 ($140) | $127 | + 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 358 ($97) | $48 | + 104% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,231 ($335) | $444 | - 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 339 ($92) | $84 | + 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 42 ($11) | $11 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 45 ($12) | $25 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 231 ($63) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 208 ($57) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 343 ($93) | $96 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 328 ($89) | $110 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,044 ($25,604) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.36 ($0.92) | $0.78 | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 295 ($80) | - | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 38 ($10) | $17 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 5% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 ($7) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 41 ($11) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 274 ($75) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 20 ($5.46) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 18 ($5.00) | $3.01 | + 66% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 ($5.35) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 ($3.26) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 ($4.25) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 43 ($12) | $23 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | + 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 31% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 185 ($50) | $40 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 99 ($27) | $20 | + 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 412 ($112) | $110 | + 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 293 ($80) | $92 | - 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 94 ($26) | $7 | + 243% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 ($5.55) | $4.01 | + 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $4.44 | + 177% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,058 ($560) | $424 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.49 ($0.13) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 331 ($90) | $51 | + 78% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 ($5.29) | $7 | - 29% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 18% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 796 prices entered by 216 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.27225
USD
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least $6,273 (Dirham 23,043) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,300 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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