Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 27% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 44 (81元) | 43元 | + 87% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 (54元) | 37元 | + 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (27元) | 17元 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (13元) | 14元 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (23元) | 16元 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.21 (10元) | 9元 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (36元) | 48元 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (15元) | 13元 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.00 (7元) | 6元 | + 21% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (24元) | 7元 | + 261% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 53 (98元) | 97元 | + 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (14元) | 9元 | + 52% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.39 (8元) | 13元 | - 39% | |
| Housing | + 66% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 66% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,944 (16,432元) | 13,898元 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,493 (11,928元) | 8,379元 | + 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 632 (1,160元) | 462元 | + 151% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,565 (10,224元) | 6,525元 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,322 (6,102元) | 4,376元 | + 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 456 (838元) | 516元 | + 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 349 (642元) | 140元 | + 358% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,377 (2,529元) | 1,829元 | + 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 359 (659元) | 546元 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 39 (71元) | 50元 | + 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 (67元) | 66元 | + 1% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 232 (427元) | 511元 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 214 (394元) | 288元 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 (606元) | 654元 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 339 (624元) | 844元 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | + 74% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 74% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 90,756 (166,730元) | 148,501元 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.77 (5.08元) | 8元 | - 38% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 304 (559元) | 206元 | + 171% | |
| Personal Care | + 57% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 57% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 28 (52元) | 28元 | + 83% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 48 (89元) | 27元 | + 229% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 290 (532元) | 386元 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 16 (30元) | 30元 | - 0% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 24 (44元) | 19元 | + 127% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (42元) | 44元 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 15 (27元) | 21元 | + 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 14 (25元) | 16元 | + 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 56 (103元) | 82元 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | + 55% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 55% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 (346元) | 260元 | + 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (170元) | 122元 | + 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 660 (1,212元) | 417元 | + 190% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 (483元) | 319元 | + 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (149元) | 90元 | + 66% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 (37元) | 31元 | + 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (83元) | 19元 | + 348% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 (3,673元) | 2,968元 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.47 (0.86元) | 0.24元 | + 250% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 295 (541元) | 410元 | + 32% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (33元) | 38元 | - 11% | |
| TOTAL | + 55% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.837
CNY
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,217 prices entered by 358 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 55% more expensive than in China
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