Cost of living in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 30% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 30% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 60 ($16) | $19 | - 16% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 ($8) | $11 | - 29% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 13 ($3.43) | $5.19 | - 34% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 5.53 ($1.50) | $1.21 | + 25% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 9 ($2.52) | $3.92 | - 36% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.63 ($1.53) | $4.21 | - 64% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 ($6) | $7 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.36) | $4.37 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.73 ($1.29) | $2.38 | - 46% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 ($2.75) | $2.95 | - 7% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 62 ($17) | $18 | - 7% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 5.34 ($1.45) | $2.37 | - 39% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.92 ($1.07) | $2.24 | - 52% | |
Housing | - 34% | |||
Housing in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 34% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 6,038 ($1,644) | $3,253 | - 49% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,340 ($1,454) | $2,659 | - 45% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 555 ($151) | $149 | + 1% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,911 ($1,337) | $2,294 | - 42% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,245 ($884) | $1,555 | - 43% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 356 ($97) | $114 | - 15% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 284 ($77) | $38 | + 102% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,423 ($387) | $329 | + 18% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 471 ($128) | $128 | + 0% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 32 ($9) | $10 | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 ($8) | $37 | - 78% | |
Clothes | + 0% | |||
Clothes in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is about the same as in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 195 ($53) | $49 | + 9% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 196 ($53) | $50 | + 6% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 279 ($76) | $89 | - 15% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 298 ($81) | $112 | - 28% | |
Transportation | - 49% | |||
Transportation in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 49% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 79,846 ($21,738) | $23,712 | - 8% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 1.91 ($0.52) | $0.92 | - 44% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 103 ($28) | $81 | - 65% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | $19 | - | |
Personal Care | - 22% | |||
Personal Care in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 22% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 20 ($5.34) | $7 | - 24% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 53 ($15) | $21 | - 30% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 234 ($64) | $110 | - 42% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 37 ($10) | $7 | + 46% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 18 ($4.94) | $3.71 | + 33% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 ($4.99) | $5.68 | - 12% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 9 ($2.32) | $3.57 | - 35% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 9 ($2.47) | $1.93 | + 28% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 37 ($10) | $21 | - 52% | |
Entertainment | - 25% | |||
Entertainment in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 25% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 ($49) | $50 | - 2% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 ($22) | $27 | - 20% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 420 ($114) | $202 | - 43% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 214 ($58) | $89 | - 35% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 36 ($10) | $13 | - 25% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 ($5.73) | $5.70 | + 0% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 25 ($7) | $8 | - 14% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,872 ($510) | $436 | + 17% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.32 ($0.09) | $0.43 | - 80% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 285 ($78) | $62 | + 25% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 9 ($2.56) | $9 | - 71% | |
TOTAL | - 33% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.27224
USD
/
AED
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Cost of living in Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) is 33% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $6,051 (Dirham 22,228) in Al Ain.
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