Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | - 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 23% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 (C$19) | C$25 | - 23% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (C$14) | C$15 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (C$8) | C$11 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (C$2.51) | C$3.10 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (C$4.61) | C$5.65 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.45 (C$2.14) | C$5.72 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 (C$10) | C$14 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (C$3.43) | C$5.25 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (C$1.74) | C$3.94 | - 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (C$3.90) | C$4.07 | - 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (C$23) | C$23 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (C$3.24) | C$3.34 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.14 (C$2.02) | C$2.60 | - 22% | |
| Housing | + 23% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 23% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,872 (C$3,481) | C$2,769 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,605 (C$2,591) | C$2,336 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 842 (C$330) | C$260 | + 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 7,429 (C$2,915) | C$2,038 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,874 (C$1,912) | C$1,638 | + 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 596 (C$234) | C$125 | + 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 262 (C$103) | C$70 | + 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 832 (C$326) | C$415 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 321 (C$126) | C$201 | - 37% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (C$14) | C$18 | - 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (C$13) | C$31 | - 58% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 13% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 166 (C$65) | C$90 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 234 (C$92) | C$70 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 398 (C$156) | C$139 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 475 (C$186) | C$161 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 20% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,640 (C$34,775) | C$34,739 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.92 (C$1.14) | C$1.64 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 207 (C$81) | C$107 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | + 15% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 15% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (C$9) | C$12 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 125 (C$49) | C$33 | + 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 547 (C$215) | C$160 | + 35% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (C$11) | C$10 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (C$7) | C$8 | - 7% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (C$8) | C$7 | + 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (C$4.39) | C$4.46 | - 2% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (C$5.77) | C$3.53 | + 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 47 (C$19) | C$33 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 194 (C$76) | C$74 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (C$32) | C$34 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 914 (C$359) | C$158 | + 126% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 352 (C$138) | C$140 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (C$30) | C$15 | + 102% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 27 (C$11) | C$5.79 | + 83% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (C$16) | C$8 | + 97% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,688 (C$662) | C$679 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.70 (C$0.28) | C$0.60 | - 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 247 (C$97) | C$56 | + 73% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (C$7) | C$19 | - 64% | |
| TOTAL | - 2% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 4,497 prices entered by 764 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.39232
CAD
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Canada
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