Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 68% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,384 prices entered by 299 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 68% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 68% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (R 243) | R 150 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 31 (R 160) | R 83 | + 93% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (R 78) | R 51 | + 54% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (R 32) | R 19 | + 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (R 77) | R 43 | + 78% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 4.92 (R 25) | R 27 | - 8% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 30 (R 156) | R 74 | + 112% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (R 39) | R 28 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.72 (R 19) | R 24 | - 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (R 53) | R 24 | + 126% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 68 (R 348) | R 95 | + 266% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (R 43) | R 25 | + 73% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.41 (R 23) | R 18 | + 25% | |
| Housing | + 151% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 151% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,389 (R 42,903) | R 14,072 | + 205% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,046 (R 25,807) | R 10,985 | + 135% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 835 (R 4,270) | R 2,054 | + 108% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,419 (R 27,715) | R 8,356 | + 232% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,583 (R 18,322) | R 6,336 | + 189% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 646 (R 3,302) | R 2,487 | + 33% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 296 (R 1,514) | R 740 | + 105% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 789 (R 4,035) | R 4,916 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 341 (R 1,745) | R 1,709 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 40 (R 205) | R 126 | + 63% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (R 190) | R 59 | + 221% | |
| Clothes | + 55% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 55% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 232 (R 1,184) | R 860 | + 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 205 (R 1,047) | R 585 | + 79% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 326 (R 1,667) | R 1,619 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 392 (R 2,003) | R 1,364 | + 47% | |
| Transportation | + 13% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 13% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 108,414 (R 554,465) | R 444,050 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.95 (R 15) | R 24 | - 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 277 (R 1,418) | R 1,222 | + 16% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 51 (R 258) | R 165 | + 56% | |
| Personal Care | + 47% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 47% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (R 112) | R 77 | + 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (R 189) | R 306 | - 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 241 (R 1,233) | R 657 | + 88% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (R 109) | R 46 | + 136% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 (R 80) | R 35 | + 126% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (R 102) | R 76 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (R 65) | R 35 | + 85% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (R 79) | R 26 | + 207% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (R 202) | R 169 | + 19% | |
| Entertainment | + 116% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 116% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 174 (R 891) | R 444 | + 100% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (R 497) | R 234 | + 112% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 234 (R 1,198) | R 820 | + 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 414 (R 2,116) | R 700 | + 202% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 95 (R 487) | R 95 | + 415% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (R 125) | R 34 | + 268% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 42 (R 213) | R 36 | + 500% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,081 (R 10,643) | R 10,605 | + 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.40 (R 2.04) | R 1.80 | + 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 276 (R 1,414) | R 687 | + 106% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (R 93) | R 49 | + 89% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 68% | ||
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
5.114
ZAR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,384 prices entered by 299 different people.
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For example, you would need at least R 65,370 (Dirham 12,782) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 39,000 in Johannesburg.
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