Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 28% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 737 prices entered by 154 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 32% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 54 ($15) | $20 | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 ($9) | $9 | + 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 ($4.89) | $6 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 ($1.67) | $1.41 | + 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.44) | $7 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 ($1.65) | $5.89 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 25 ($7) | $9 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.34) | $4.22 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.60 ($1.25) | $2.43 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 12 ($3.25) | $2.59 | + 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 ($16) | $15 | + 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.19) | $2.97 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.97 ($1.35) | $3.80 | - 64% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 24% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 11,434 ($3,113) | $3,454 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,965 ($1,896) | $2,982 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 845 ($230) | $204 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 7,512 ($2,045) | $2,871 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,907 ($1,336) | $2,236 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 541 ($147) | $107 | + 38% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 233 ($63) | $71 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 ($210) | $310 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 ($81) | $101 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 ($12) | $10 | + 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 34 ($9) | $37 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 30% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 120 ($33) | $63 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 137 ($37) | $49 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 373 ($102) | $124 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 364 ($99) | $131 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 36% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,808 ($24,178) | $24,119 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.90 ($0.79) | $1.37 | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 351 ($96) | $155 | - 38% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 49 ($13) | $30 | - 55% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 35% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 ($7) | $13 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 ($10) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 ($77) | $180 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 ($5.73) | $8 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 ($5.19) | $4.19 | + 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 ($5.69) | $5.99 | - 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 ($2.61) | $4.98 | - 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 ($3.42) | $1.50 | + 128% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 ($11) | $28 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 10% cheaper than in Oakland, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Oakland, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 ($40) | $53 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 88 ($24) | $27 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 ($77) | $240 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 288 ($78) | $105 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 ($20) | $15 | + 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 26 ($7) | $5.14 | + 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 ($11) | $7 | + 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 ($544) | $353 | + 54% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 ($0.15) | $0.16 | - 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 296 ($81) | $86 | - 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 ($5.02) | $12 | - 58% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 28% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 737 prices entered by 154 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.27225
USD
/
AED
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,100 in Oakland, California you would need to make just about $6,536 (Dirham 24,007) in Dubai.
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