Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 12% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 44 (€11) | €16 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 (€8) | €9 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (€3.85) | €4.35 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.82) | €1.05 | + 73% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (€3.21) | €3.49 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.21 (€1.34) | €2.63 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (€5.07) | €6 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (€2.08) | €2.25 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.00 (€1.03) | €1.66 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (€3.39) | €1.70 | + 99% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 53 (€14) | €8 | + 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€1.99) | €2.46 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.39 (€1.13) | €1.63 | - 30% | |
| Housing | + 60% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 60% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,944 (€2,305) | €1,308 | + 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,493 (€1,674) | €1,173 | + 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 632 (€163) | €102 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,565 (€1,434) | €840 | + 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,322 (€856) | €689 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 456 (€118) | €66 | + 79% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 349 (€90) | €45 | + 102% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,377 (€355) | €775 | - 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 359 (€92) | €212 | - 56% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 39 (€10) | €14 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 (€9) | €11 | - 14% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 232 (€60) | €83 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 214 (€55) | €43 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 (€85) | €84 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 339 (€87) | €122 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | + 23% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 23% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 90,989 (€23,453) | €25,153 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.77 (€0.71) | €1.52 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 304 (€78) | €48 | + 62% | |
| Personal Care | + 44% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 44% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 28 (€7) | €9 | - 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 48 (€12) | €12 | + 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 290 (€75) | €32 | + 131% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 16 (€4.22) | €5.15 | - 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 24 (€6) | €3.67 | + 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (€5.89) | €3.77 | + 56% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 15 (€3.80) | €1.90 | + 100% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 14 (€3.56) | €2.17 | + 64% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 56 (€14) | €22 | - 36% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 22% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 (€49) | €47 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (€24) | €24 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 660 (€170) | €72 | + 135% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 (€68) | €62 | + 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (€21) | €11 | + 99% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 (€5.21) | €3.15 | + 65% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€12) | €3.96 | + 194% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (€515) | €415 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.47 (€0.12) | €0.25 | - 52% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 295 (€76) | €39 | + 92% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (€4.69) | €8 | - 39% | |
| TOTAL | + 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.25776
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,314 prices entered by 301 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 27% more expensive than in Belgium
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