Cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 29% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 814 prices entered by 141 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 44% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 ($12) | $23 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 ($9) | $12 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 ($4.76) | $8 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.80) | $1.13 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.44) | $5.91 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 ($1.71) | $6 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 17 ($4.75) | $11 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.41) | $3.61 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.64 ($1.26) | $2.51 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 ($2.42) | $5.20 | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 ($16) | $17 | - 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 ($2.02) | $3.36 | - 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.13 ($1.40) | $3.12 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 13% | |||
| Housing in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 13% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,523 ($3,954) | $4,190 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,139 ($2,488) | $2,969 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 829 ($226) | $234 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,201 ($2,233) | $2,981 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,341 ($1,454) | $1,995 | - 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 622 ($169) | $141 | + 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 336 ($91) | $68 | + 35% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 770 ($210) | $447 | - 53% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 296 ($81) | $133 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 41 ($11) | $13 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 ($9) | $40 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 15% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 251 ($68) | $72 | - 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 ($60) | $73 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 399 ($109) | $127 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 408 ($111) | $154 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 37% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 92,536 ($25,193) | $29,652 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.86 ($0.78) | $0.88 | - 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 303 ($83) | $138 | - 40% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dirham 37 ($10) | $22 | - 55% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 40% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 25 ($7) | $8 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 38 ($10) | $14 | - 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 284 ($77) | $197 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 ($5.73) | $10 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 ($5.24) | $4.85 | + 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 ($5.69) | $4.79 | + 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 ($2.61) | $5.36 | - 51% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 ($3.42) | $2.56 | + 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 40 ($11) | $43 | - 74% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) is 35% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Dubai | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 147 ($40) | $61 | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 98 ($27) | $31 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 283 ($77) | $458 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 ($75) | $138 | - 46% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 ($20) | $17 | + 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 ($5.91) | $5.71 | + 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $10 | + 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 ($544) | $524 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.56 ($0.15) | $0.40 | - 62% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 320 ($87) | $108 | - 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 ($6) | $13 | - 54% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 29% | ||
These prices were last updated on July 07, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.27225
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 814 prices entered by 141 different people.
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