Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 36% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom)
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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 1,238 prices entered by 198 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 15% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | London | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 98 (£20) | £16 | + 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 38 (£8) | £7 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 23 (£4.71) | £3.63 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 8 (£1.58) | £1.10 | + 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (£3.00) | £3.99 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 (£1.49) | £2.19 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 29 (£6) | £4.33 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 13 (£2.62) | £1.97 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 7 (£1.43) | £0.79 | + 81% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 (£2.92) | £1.83 | + 59% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 81 (£17) | £11 | + 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (£1.78) | £2.28 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.62 (£0.95) | £1.28 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 33% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | London | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,593 (£2,780) | £4,246 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,045 (£1,850) | £3,636 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 780 (£160) | £143 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,295 (£1,287) | £2,975 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,979 (£1,018) | £1,733 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 527 (£108) | £136 | - 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 297 (£61) | £28 | + 113% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,720 (£352) | £249 | + 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 364 (£75) | £103 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 46 (£9) | £5.92 | + 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 35 (£7) | £12 | - 42% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 29% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | London | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 331 (£68) | £76 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 283 (£58) | £36 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 545 (£112) | £86 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 751 (£154) | £97 | + 58% | |
| Transportation | - 81% | |||
| Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 81% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | London | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 117,154 (£23,958) | £28,424 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.15 (£0.64) | £1.43 | - 55% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 69 (£14) | £164 | - 91% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 44 (£9) | £22 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | + 46% | |||
| Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 46% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | London | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 14 (£2.87) | £2.22 | + 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 64 (£13) | £7 | + 97% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 309 (£63) | £55 | + 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (£4.91) | £3.62 | + 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (£4.32) | £2.03 | + 113% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (£4.55) | £5.04 | - 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 17 (£3.57) | £2.13 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 22 (£4.44) | £2.06 | + 116% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 77 (£16) | £15 | + 4% | |
| Entertainment | + 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 29% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Abu Dhabi | London | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 290 (£59) | £45 | + 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 118 (£24) | £26 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 695 (£142) | £117 | + 22% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 529 (£108) | £77 | + 40% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (£17) | £12 | + 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 27 (£5.50) | £3.68 | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (£8) | £7 | + 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,831 (£375) | £398 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.30 (£0.27) | £0.11 | + 133% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 407 (£83) | £47 | + 75% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (£3.58) | £15 | - 76% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 36% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,238 prices entered by 198 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.20450
GBP
/
AED
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £14,000 in London you would need to make just about £8,910 (Dirham 43,567) in Abu Dhabi.
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