Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 29% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 40 (€10) | €19 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (€8) | €11 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 14 (€3.66) | €5.74 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (€1.61) | €1.16 | + 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (€3.57) | €4.09 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 4.95 (€1.26) | €2.99 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (€4.71) | €6 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (€1.98) | €2.19 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.72 (€0.95) | €2.50 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (€2.56) | €1.98 | + 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 60 (€15) | €10 | + 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€2.14) | €2.81 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 (€1.14) | €1.74 | - 35% | |
| Housing | + 53% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 53% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,595 (€2,440) | €1,350 | + 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,145 (€1,816) | €1,098 | + 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 754 (€192) | €273 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,821 (€1,480) | €919 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,054 (€1,031) | €703 | + 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 546 (€139) | €131 | + 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 348 (€89) | €42 | + 112% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,109 (€282) | €597 | - 53% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 336 (€85) | €189 | - 55% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 44 (€11) | €13 | - 11% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 (€9) | €11 | - 13% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 191 (€48) | €102 | - 53% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 193 (€49) | €38 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 331 (€84) | €107 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 341 (€87) | €128 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 44% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 44% cheaper than in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 91,361 (€23,228) | €35,150 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.78 (€0.96) | €1.79 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 89 (€23) | €49 | - 54% | |
| Personal Care | + 3% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (€5.77) | €12 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (€10) | €10 | - 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 283 (€72) | €26 | + 181% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (€7) | €4.00 | + 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 (€4.11) | €5.18 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (€5.08) | €4.73 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (€3.13) | €2.00 | + 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 9 (€2.38) | €3.00 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (€10) | €24 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Belgium | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 186 (€47) | €69 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (€23) | €25 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 332 (€84) | €97 | - 13% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (€70) | €73 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 76 (€19) | €11 | + 70% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (€5.28) | €3.64 | + 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (€10) | €4.08 | + 155% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,989 (€506) | €561 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.69 (€0.18) | €0.25 | - 30% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 265 (€67) | €27 | + 150% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (€5.12) | €8 | - 35% | |
| TOTAL | - 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.25424
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,470 prices entered by 346 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 5% cheaper than in Belgium
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