Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 59% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 59% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 55 (106元) | 45元 | + 133% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 (53元) | 34元 | + 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 (33元) | 15元 | + 114% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (12元) | 15元 | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (29元) | 13元 | + 115% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.83 (11元) | 8元 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 (42元) | 59元 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (16元) | 15元 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.12 (8元) | 6.00元 | + 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 17 (33元) | 5.17元 | + 547% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 86 (165元) | 112元 | + 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (15元) | 8元 | + 81% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.02 (8元) | 14元 | - 45% | |
| Housing | + 109% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 109% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,518 (14,388元) | 9,398元 | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,190 (9,932元) | 4,943元 | + 101% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 719 (1,377元) | 431元 | + 219% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,182 (9,917元) | 5,740元 | + 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,432 (6,568元) | 3,007元 | + 118% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 459 (879元) | 285元 | + 208% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 313 (598元) | 96元 | + 524% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,251 (2,394元) | 2,464元 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 324 (621元) | 561元 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 38 (72元) | 38元 | + 89% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 35 (66元) | 47元 | + 40% | |
| Clothes | + 25% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 25% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 215 (412元) | 481元 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 195 (374元) | 250元 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 372 (712元) | 647元 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 367 (703元) | 620元 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | + 75% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 75% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,560 (169,487元) | 134,340元 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.20 (4.22元) | 7元 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 241 (462元) | 149元 | + 211% | |
| Personal Care | + 16% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 16% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 17 (33元) | 37元 | - 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 62 (119元) | 45元 | + 163% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 253 (485元) | 347元 | + 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 22 (41元) | 62元 | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 15 (29元) | 47元 | - 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (38元) | 31元 | + 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (18元) | 8元 | + 121% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (22元) | 12元 | + 82% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 54 (103元) | 71元 | + 46% | |
| Entertainment | + 72% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 72% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 167 (319元) | 177元 | + 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 82 (157元) | 100元 | + 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 352 (674元) | 1,029元 | - 35% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 317 (608元) | 395元 | + 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 70 (134元) | 68元 | + 96% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 23 (45元) | 33元 | + 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 44 (84元) | 31元 | + 175% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,625 (3,109元) | 3,256元 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (1.36元) | 0.31元 | + 338% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 356 (681元) | 335元 | + 104% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (40元) | 22元 | + 83% | |
| TOTAL | + 73% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 25, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.914
CNY
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,593 prices entered by 842 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 73% more expensive than in China
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