Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (81元) | 54元 | + 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 (51元) | 36元 | + 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 20 (34元) | 16元 | + 118% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (12元) | 14元 | - 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (25元) | 14元 | + 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 (12元) | 8元 | + 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (40元) | 56元 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (16元) | 13元 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.63 (8元) | 7元 | + 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (24元) | 6元 | + 284% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 81 (143元) | 109元 | + 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (14元) | 9元 | + 53% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.70 (8元) | 10元 | - 14% | |
| Housing | + 94% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 94% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,746 (13,621元) | 7,537元 | + 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,695 (10,014元) | 4,597元 | + 118% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 686 (1,207元) | 416元 | + 190% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,844 (8,519元) | 6,994元 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,415 (6,005元) | 3,863元 | + 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 365 (642元) | 264元 | + 143% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 277 (487元) | 87元 | + 460% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 950 (1,671元) | 2,180元 | - 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 375 (660元) | 614元 | + 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (65元) | 46元 | + 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (57元) | 45元 | + 28% | |
| Clothes | + 37% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 37% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 (396元) | 370元 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 207 (363元) | 223元 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 337 (593元) | 582元 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 345 (607元) | 519元 | + 17% | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 85,543 (150,424元) | 160,747元 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.09 (3.67元) | 6元 | - 43% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 127 (224元) | 174元 | + 28% | |
| Personal Care | + 22% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 (32元) | 29元 | + 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 50 (88元) | 35元 | + 152% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 260 (457元) | 488元 | - 6% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 30 (54元) | 31元 | + 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (30元) | 38元 | - 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (32元) | 33元 | - 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (21元) | 9元 | + 125% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (22元) | 10元 | + 115% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 75 (133元) | 86元 | + 55% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 (333元) | 195元 | + 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 84 (148元) | 95元 | + 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 595 (1,046元) | 996元 | + 5% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 (463元) | 413元 | + 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 74 (129元) | 71元 | + 82% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (38元) | 34元 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (79元) | 32元 | + 146% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,008 (3,531元) | 3,170元 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.64 (1.12元) | 0.55元 | + 104% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 297 (522元) | 370元 | + 41% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 (35元) | 22元 | + 56% | |
| TOTAL | + 47% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 24, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.758
CNY
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,538 prices entered by 567 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 47% more expensive than in China
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