Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 33% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,747 prices entered by 328 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 18% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | London | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (£9) | £16 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (£7) | £7 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (£3.66) | £3.93 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (£1.39) | £1.10 | + 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (£2.61) | £4.00 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (£1.29) | £1.77 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 17 (£3.67) | £4.33 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (£1.86) | £1.94 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.48 (£0.94) | £0.79 | + 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (£2.00) | £1.83 | + 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (£12) | £10 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (£1.70) | £2.28 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.13 (£1.08) | £1.28 | - 16% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 24% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | London | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,724 (£3,097) | £4,166 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,417 (£1,981) | £3,529 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 829 (£174) | £165 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,201 (£1,725) | £2,975 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,341 (£1,124) | £1,733 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 622 (£131) | £136 | - 4% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 336 (£71) | £28 | + 148% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 (£162) | £249 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 (£62) | £103 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 (£9) | £5.92 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (£6) | £13 | - 52% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | London | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 251 (£53) | £76 | - 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (£46) | £36 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 399 (£84) | £86 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 408 (£86) | £97 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 59% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 59% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | London | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 92,311 (£19,418) | £28,424 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (£0.61) | £1.43 | - 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 299 (£63) | £166 | - 62% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 36 (£8) | £21 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | + 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 21% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | London | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 (£5.22) | £2.22 | + 135% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 (£8) | £7 | + 19% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 (£60) | £55 | + 9% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (£4.43) | £3.62 | + 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (£4.05) | £2.03 | + 100% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (£4.40) | £5.04 | - 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (£2.02) | £2.13 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 (£2.65) | £2.06 | + 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 (£9) | £15 | - 44% | |
| Entertainment | - 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 10% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | London | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 (£31) | £40 | - 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 98 (£21) | £26 | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 (£60) | £117 | - 49% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (£58) | £77 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 (£16) | £13 | + 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (£4.54) | £3.62 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (£10) | £7 | + 36% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (£420) | £398 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 (£0.12) | £0.11 | + 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 318 (£67) | £46 | + 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (£4.62) | £15 | - 69% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 33% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 26, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.21036
GBP
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,747 prices entered by 328 different people.
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