Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Ecuador
Currency:
| Food | + 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Ecuador | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Ecuador | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 ($13) | $10 | + 30% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 ($9) | $7 | + 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 ($5.02) | $3.36 | + 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.77) | $1.08 | + 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.59) | $2.31 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 ($1.74) | $1.52 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 ($5.23) | $5.17 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.38) | $1.79 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.55 ($1.24) | $1.30 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 ($2.55) | $1.70 | + 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 ($16) | $12 | + 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.11) | $2.06 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.85 ($1.32) | $1.08 | + 23% | |
| Housing | + 326% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 326% more expensive than in Ecuador | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Ecuador | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,554 ($3,963) | $723 | + 448% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,154 ($2,492) | $444 | + 462% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 721 ($196) | $49 | + 303% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 ($2,189) | $479 | + 357% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,394 ($1,469) | $293 | + 402% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 ($158) | $52 | + 205% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 ($88) | $20 | + 333% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 ($221) | $372 | - 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 ($93) | $122 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 ($10) | $6 | + 59% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 ($8) | $9 | - 14% | |
| Clothes | + 31% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Ecuador | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Ecuador | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 ($73) | $54 | + 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 ($59) | $45 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 ($108) | $96 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 ($114) | $76 | + 49% | |
| Transportation | + 93% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 93% more expensive than in Ecuador | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Ecuador | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 ($26,181) | $22,144 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 ($0.79) | $0.99 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 ($74) | $23 | + 215% | |
| Personal Care | + 43% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 43% more expensive than in Ecuador | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Ecuador | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 ($6) | $9 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 ($27) | $12 | + 120% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 ($85) | $42 | + 103% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 ($5.77) | $5.27 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 ($5.87) | $4.71 | + 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 ($6) | $6 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 ($2.95) | $2.47 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 ($4.29) | $1.77 | + 143% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 ($11) | $12 | - 9% | |
| Entertainment | + 64% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 64% more expensive than in Ecuador | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Ecuador | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 ($42) | $25 | + 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 ($26) | $13 | + 105% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 ($132) | $51 | + 159% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 288 ($78) | $54 | + 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 ($21) | $10 | + 116% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 ($6) | $3.70 | + 64% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $2.73 | + 350% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 ($570) | $629 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 ($0.48) | $0.31 | + 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 ($86) | $45 | + 90% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 ($5.88) | $6 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | + 112% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.27229
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,954 prices entered by 223 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 112% more expensive than in Ecuador
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