Cost of living in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 27% cheaper than in Sacramento, 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 243 prices entered by 44 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 29% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 29% cheaper than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 56 ($15) | $26 | - 40% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 33 ($9) | $14 | - 33% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 22 ($5.97) | $7 | - 16% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.77) | $1.32 | + 34% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.51) | $6 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.79 ($1.58) | $5.51 | - 71% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 25 ($7) | $8 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 10 ($2.83) | $3.69 | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.42 ($1.20) | $1.60 | - 25% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 11 ($3.05) | $3.25 | - 6% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 84 ($23) | $17 | + 37% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 10 ($2.65) | $3.04 | - 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 6 ($1.73) | $2.69 | - 35% | |
Housing | - 15% | |||
Housing in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 15% cheaper than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 11,119 ($3,027) | $2,686 | + 13% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,226 ($1,967) | $2,329 | - 16% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 671 ($183) | $258 | - 29% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,537 ($1,507) | $2,100 | - 28% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,757 ($1,023) | $1,464 | - 30% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 349 ($95) | $163 | - 42% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 224 ($61) | $60 | + 1% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,196 ($326) | $334 | - 2% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 332 ($90) | $155 | - 42% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 47 ($13) | $14 | - 8% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 ($10) | $27 | - 64% | |
Clothes | + 30% | |||
Clothes in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 30% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 198 ($54) | $54 | + 1% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 238 ($65) | $43 | + 50% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 551 ($150) | $103 | + 46% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 547 ($149) | $137 | + 9% | |
Transportation | - 63% | |||
Transportation in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 63% cheaper than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 125,266 ($34,105) | $29,262 | + 17% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.99 ($0.81) | $1.24 | - 34% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 72 ($20) | $100 | - 80% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 25 ($7) | $25 | - 73% | |
Personal Care | - 33% | |||
Personal Care in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 33% cheaper than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 ($4.80) | $10 | - 50% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $13 | - 8% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 ($90) | $213 | - 58% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 27 ($7) | $8 | - 15% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 ($5.29) | $4.80 | + 10% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 ($5.02) | $7 | - 25% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 18 ($4.84) | $6 | - 25% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 18 ($4.92) | $2.42 | + 103% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 62 ($17) | $27 | - 36% | |
Entertainment | + 6% | |||
Entertainment in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) is 6% more expensive than in Sacramento, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Abu Dhabi | Sacramento, California | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 227 ($62) | $63 | - 2% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 ($26) | $40 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 843 ($230) | $249 | - 8% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 523 ($142) | $101 | + 40% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 77 ($21) | $13 | + 60% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 26 ($7) | $6 | + 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 38 ($10) | $8 | + 26% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,834 ($499) | $384 | + 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.09 ($0.30) | $0.39 | - 24% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 408 ($111) | $58 | + 93% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 ($4.81) | $13 | - 63% | |
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TOTAL | - 27% |

These prices were last updated on February 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.27226
USD
/
AED
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $7,700 in Sacramento, California you would need to make just about $5,635 (Dirham 20,697) in Abu Dhabi.
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