Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 26% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 40 (77元) | 46元 | + 66% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (58元) | 40元 | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (28元) | 16元 | + 77% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (12元) | 18元 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (28元) | 19元 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.03 (10元) | 11元 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (35元) | 63元 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (15元) | 15元 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.80 (7元) | 6元 | + 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (20元) | 7元 | + 169% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 60 (115元) | 118元 | - 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (17元) | 8元 | + 97% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 (9元) | 16元 | - 48% | |
| Housing | + 74% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 74% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,626 (18,557元) | 15,059元 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,145 (13,773元) | 9,006元 | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 754 (1,453元) | 421元 | + 245% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,821 (11,222元) | 7,547元 | + 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,054 (7,816元) | 4,347元 | + 80% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 546 (1,052元) | 262元 | + 301% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 348 (672元) | 115元 | + 482% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,160 (2,237元) | 1,143元 | + 96% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 336 (647元) | 589元 | + 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 40 (78元) | 39元 | + 102% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 38 (72元) | 51元 | + 43% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 13% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 191 (368元) | 529元 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 193 (372元) | 248元 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 338 (651元) | 626元 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 342 (659元) | 828元 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 90,493 (174,449元) | 161,247元 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.78 (7元) | 9元 | - 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 89 (171元) | 204元 | - 16% | |
| Personal Care | + 36% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 36% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (44元) | 39元 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (72元) | 27元 | + 169% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 283 (546元) | 391元 | + 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (50元) | 53元 | - 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 (31元) | 33元 | - 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (39元) | 34元 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (24元) | 13元 | + 80% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 19 (37元) | 15元 | + 152% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 50 (97元) | 74元 | + 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 60% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 60% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 186 (359元) | 265元 | + 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (178元) | 110元 | + 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 332 (640元) | 1,294元 | - 51% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 (530元) | 348元 | + 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 76 (146元) | 79元 | + 85% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (40元) | 29元 | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (79元) | 18元 | + 340% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,989 (3,835元) | 3,321元 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.69 (1.34元) | 0.20元 | + 568% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 268 (516元) | 410元 | + 26% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (38元) | 24元 | + 59% | |
| TOTAL | + 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.928
CNY
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,441 prices entered by 398 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 37% more expensive than in China
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