Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 135% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 743 prices entered by 218 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 74% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 74% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (RM59) | RM26 | + 127% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 32 (RM40) | RM17 | + 144% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 16 (RM20) | RM9 | + 132% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (RM8) | RM7 | + 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (RM19) | RM5.70 | + 235% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.05 (RM6) | RM4.77 | + 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 31 (RM39) | RM21 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (RM10) | RM12 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.80 (RM4.83) | RM3.45 | + 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (RM13) | RM12 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 65 (RM82) | RM76 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (RM11) | RM4.36 | + 142% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.40 (RM5.59) | RM3.55 | + 57% | |
| Housing | + 230% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 230% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,249 (RM11,750) | RM3,180 | + 270% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 4,987 (RM6,335) | RM1,840 | + 244% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 834 (RM1,060) | RM215 | + 392% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,418 (RM6,882) | RM1,697 | + 306% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,582 (RM4,550) | RM1,132 | + 302% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 646 (RM820) | RM195 | + 321% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 296 (RM376) | RM129 | + 193% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 789 (RM1,003) | RM1,466 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 341 (RM434) | RM457 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 42 (RM54) | RM27 | + 95% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (RM47) | RM36 | + 31% | |
| Clothes | + 59% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 59% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 261 (RM331) | RM222 | + 49% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 205 (RM260) | RM157 | + 66% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (RM434) | RM300 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 392 (RM498) | RM299 | + 67% | |
| Transportation | + 116% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 116% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 115,445 (RM146,657) | RM151,448 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.78 (RM3.53) | RM2.18 | + 62% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 278 (RM353) | RM107 | + 231% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 50 (RM64) | RM16 | + 299% | |
| Personal Care | + 113% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 113% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (RM28) | RM14 | + 99% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (RM47) | RM27 | + 74% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 241 (RM307) | RM93 | + 231% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 23 (RM29) | RM22 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 (RM20) | RM9 | + 131% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (RM25) | RM14 | + 76% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (RM15) | RM8 | + 80% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (RM20) | RM7 | + 174% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 (RM50) | RM33 | + 52% | |
| Entertainment | + 156% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 156% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 174 (RM221) | RM88 | + 152% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 100 (RM127) | RM35 | + 264% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 234 (RM298) | RM175 | + 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 407 (RM517) | RM144 | + 259% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 95 (RM120) | RM29 | + 322% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (RM31) | RM13 | + 133% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (RM52) | RM17 | + 213% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,079 (RM2,641) | RM2,128 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.50 (RM0.63) | RM0.25 | + 156% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 276 (RM351) | RM127 | + 176% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (RM23) | RM17 | + 36% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 135% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 743 prices entered by 218 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 10, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.270
MYR
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least RM23,472 (Dirham 18,477) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM10,000 in Johor Bahru.
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