Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | + 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 8% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 55 (AU$23) | AU$17 | + 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 (AU$11) | AU$12 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (AU$7) | AU$5.92 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (AU$2.54) | AU$1.27 | + 100% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (AU$6) | AU$5.59 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.83 (AU$2.40) | AU$4.90 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$8 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (AU$3.44) | AU$4.31 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.12 (AU$1.70) | AU$3.25 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 17 (AU$7) | AU$5.84 | + 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 86 (AU$36) | AU$19 | + 89% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (AU$3.12) | AU$2.92 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.02 (AU$1.66) | AU$2.23 | - 26% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 17% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,518 (AU$3,095) | AU$2,591 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,190 (AU$2,136) | AU$2,075 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 719 (AU$296) | AU$190 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,182 (AU$2,133) | AU$1,963 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,432 (AU$1,413) | AU$1,437 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 459 (AU$189) | AU$185 | + 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 313 (AU$129) | AU$60 | + 113% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,251 (AU$515) | AU$566 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 324 (AU$134) | AU$212 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 38 (AU$16) | AU$12 | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 35 (AU$14) | AU$31 | - 54% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 215 (AU$89) | AU$100 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 195 (AU$80) | AU$76 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 372 (AU$153) | AU$150 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 367 (AU$151) | AU$155 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | - 23% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 23% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,560 (AU$36,454) | AU$26,374 | + 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.20 (AU$0.91) | AU$1.50 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 241 (AU$99) | AU$151 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | + 27% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 27% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 17 (AU$7) | AU$9 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 62 (AU$26) | AU$16 | + 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 253 (AU$104) | AU$69 | + 52% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 22 (AU$9) | AU$6 | + 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 15 (AU$6) | AU$4.77 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (AU$8) | AU$5.80 | + 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (AU$3.95) | AU$3.25 | + 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (AU$4.75) | AU$3.84 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 54 (AU$22) | AU$29 | - 23% | |
| Entertainment | + 13% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 13% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 167 (AU$69) | AU$55 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 82 (AU$34) | AU$36 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 352 (AU$145) | AU$216 | - 33% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 317 (AU$131) | AU$104 | + 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 70 (AU$29) | AU$17 | + 71% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 23 (AU$10) | AU$4.71 | + 105% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 44 (AU$18) | AU$9 | + 99% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,625 (AU$669) | AU$639 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (AU$0.29) | AU$0.38 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 356 (AU$147) | AU$73 | + 100% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (AU$9) | AU$35 | - 75% | |
| TOTAL | + 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.41163
AUD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 8,999 prices entered by 1,455 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 4% more expensive than in Australia
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