Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 15% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (€10) | €17 | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 (€6) | €9 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (€4.21) | €4.41 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.62) | €1.03 | + 57% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (€3.32) | €3.76 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 (€1.54) | €2.40 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (€5.13) | €4.76 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€1.95) | €2.32 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.55 (€1.02) | €1.57 | - 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (€2.87) | €1.74 | + 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 75 (€17) | €7 | + 134% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€1.72) | €2.32 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.52 (€1.01) | €1.28 | - 21% | |
| Housing | + 29% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 29% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,706 (€1,728) | €1,131 | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,759 (€1,291) | €934 | + 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 661 (€148) | €138 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,915 (€1,102) | €929 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,499 (€785) | €653 | + 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 336 (€75) | €95 | - 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 280 (€63) | €36 | + 73% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 956 (€214) | €378 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 392 (€88) | €133 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 38 (€8) | €10 | - 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 32 (€7) | €10 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 233 (€52) | €85 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 212 (€47) | €40 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 337 (€76) | €80 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 336 (€75) | €115 | - 35% | |
| Transportation | - 41% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 41% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 84,651 (€18,979) | €24,942 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.12 (€0.48) | €1.33 | - 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 122 (€27) | €51 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 (€4.11) | €8 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 50 (€11) | €30 | - 63% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 260 (€58) | €36 | + 60% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 30 (€7) | €5.48 | + 25% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (€3.81) | €3.38 | + 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (€4.14) | €3.22 | + 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (€2.65) | €1.57 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (€2.80) | €2.24 | + 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 75 (€17) | €20 | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | + 14% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 14% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 181 (€41) | €44 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 79 (€18) | €22 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 595 (€133) | €81 | + 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 273 (€61) | €60 | + 2% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 73 (€16) | €9 | + 73% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (€4.75) | €3.38 | + 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 46 (€10) | €4.16 | + 146% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,187 (€490) | €476 | + 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.64 (€0.14) | €0.22 | - 36% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 307 (€69) | €35 | + 97% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (€4.58) | €8 | - 39% | |
| TOTAL | - 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 21, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.22421
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,339 prices entered by 491 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium
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