Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 123% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
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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 586 prices entered by 114 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 45% 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 45 (RM52) | RM21 | + 155% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (RM40) | RM20 | + 101% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (RM20) | RM13 | + 57% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (RM8) | RM8 | - 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (RM14) | RM7 | + 106% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (RM7) | RM4.81 | + 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 17 (RM20) | RM18 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (RM10) | RM12 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.64 (RM5.38) | RM4.21 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (RM10) | RM11 | - 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 (RM68) | RM87 | - 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (RM9) | RM4.73 | + 82% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.13 (RM5.94) | RM4.20 | + 41% | |
| Housing | + 336% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 336% 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 14,523 (RM16,817) | RM3,165 | + 431% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,139 (RM10,582) | RM1,897 | + 458% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 829 (RM959) | RM323 | + 197% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,201 (RM9,496) | RM1,535 | + 519% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,341 (RM6,185) | RM955 | + 548% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 622 (RM720) | RM218 | + 230% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 336 (RM389) | RM112 | + 246% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 (RM891) | RM1,579 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 (RM343) | RM480 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 (RM47) | RM20 | + 136% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 (RM37) | RM41 | - 8% | |
| Clothes | + 40% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 40% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 251 (RM291) | RM217 | + 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (RM255) | RM171 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 399 (RM462) | RM333 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 408 (RM472) | RM384 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | + 88% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 88% 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 92,536 (RM107,151) | RM143,076 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.86 (RM3.32) | RM2.11 | + 57% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 303 (RM351) | RM128 | + 175% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 37 (RM43) | RM16 | + 165% | |
| Personal Care | + 97% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 97% 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 25 (RM29) | RM16 | + 75% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 (RM44) | RM27 | + 61% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 (RM329) | RM106 | + 211% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (RM24) | RM22 | + 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (RM22) | RM10 | + 127% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (RM24) | RM14 | + 69% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (RM11) | RM8 | + 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (RM15) | RM8 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 (RM47) | RM29 | + 63% | |
| Entertainment | + 62% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 62% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 (RM170) | RM134 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 98 (RM113) | RM53 | + 113% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 (RM328) | RM175 | + 88% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (RM319) | RM261 | + 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 (RM87) | RM58 | + 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (RM25) | RM15 | + 69% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (RM52) | RM21 | + 149% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (RM2,315) | RM2,126 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 (RM0.65) | RM0.27 | + 141% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 320 (RM370) | RM146 | + 153% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (RM26) | RM17 | + 50% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 123% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 586 prices entered by 114 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.158
MYR
/
AED
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For example, you would need at least RM20,060 (Dirham 17,324) in Dubai to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM9,000 in Johor Bahru.
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