Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 54% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (91元) | 42元 | + 116% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (68元) | 39元 | + 75% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (35元) | 14元 | + 143% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (13元) | 14元 | - 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (25元) | 16元 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (12元) | 10元 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (37元) | 50元 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (17元) | 16元 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.47 (9元) | 6元 | + 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (19元) | 6元 | + 193% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (116元) | 89元 | + 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (15元) | 8元 | + 76% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.06 (10元) | 13元 | - 21% | |
| Housing | + 170% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 170% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,225 (27,898元) | 12,713元 | + 119% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,147 (17,940元) | 5,917元 | + 203% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (1,503元) | 450元 | + 234% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (15,763元) | 6,564元 | + 140% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (10,318元) | 3,518元 | + 193% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (1,138元) | 296元 | + 284% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 331 (649元) | 100元 | + 552% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (1,590元) | 1,460元 | + 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (671元) | 553元 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (64元) | 43元 | + 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (57元) | 55元 | + 2% | |
| Clothes | + 38% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 38% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 263 (516元) | 418元 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 228 (447元) | 296元 | + 51% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 407 (799元) | 553元 | + 44% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (822元) | 705元 | + 17% | |
| Transportation | + 70% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 70% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (188,568元) | 148,726元 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (5.65元) | 8元 | - 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (530元) | 228元 | + 132% | |
| Personal Care | + 61% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 61% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (43元) | 42元 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (195元) | 59元 | + 228% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 315 (617元) | 114元 | + 442% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (40元) | 67元 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (42元) | 57元 | - 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (43元) | 25元 | + 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (21元) | 6元 | + 245% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (31元) | 13元 | + 147% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (80元) | 85元 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | + 97% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 97% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (350元) | 178元 | + 97% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (188元) | 105元 | + 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (950元) | 1,179元 | - 19% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (556元) | 320元 | + 74% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (152元) | 81元 | + 88% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (43元) | 28元 | + 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (88元) | 19元 | + 362% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,716 (3,365元) | 3,924元 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.20 (2.36元) | 0.34元 | + 605% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 321 (630元) | 412元 | + 53% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (42元) | 25元 | + 71% | |
| TOTAL | + 101% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.961
CNY
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,636 prices entered by 272 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 101% more expensive than in China
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