Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to France
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 28% cheaper than in France | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | France | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (€11) | €20 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (€8) | €11 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (€4.26) | €6 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.57) | €1.20 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€3.10) | €4.63 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (€1.47) | €2.83 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (€4.47) | €7 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€2.14) | €2.69 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.44 (€1.06) | €1.97 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (€2.29) | €2.11 | + 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (€14) | €10 | + 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€1.90) | €2.52 | - 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.06 (€1.21) | €1.31 | - 8% | |
| Housing | + 83% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 83% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | France | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,225 (€3,397) | €1,582 | + 115% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,147 (€2,184) | €1,447 | + 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (€183) | €199 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (€1,919) | €1,043 | + 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (€1,256) | €725 | + 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (€139) | €120 | + 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 331 (€79) | €23 | + 241% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (€194) | €255 | - 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (€82) | €115 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (€8) | €9 | - 17% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (€7) | €15 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in France | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | France | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 263 (€63) | €85 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 228 (€54) | €40 | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 407 (€97) | €108 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (€100) | €96 | + 4% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in France | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | France | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (€22,960) | €27,028 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.89 (€0.69) | €1.77 | - 61% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (€65) | €62 | + 4% | |
| Personal Care | + 17% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 17% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | France | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (€5.28) | €10 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (€24) | €18 | + 32% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 315 (€75) | €26 | + 188% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (€4.91) | €6 | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (€5.15) | €4.56 | + 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (€5.27) | €4.56 | + 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (€2.59) | €2.28 | + 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (€3.77) | €3.78 | - 0% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (€10) | €24 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | + 23% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 23% more expensive than in France | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | France | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (€43) | €44 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (€23) | €22 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (€116) | €105 | + 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (€68) | €65 | + 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (€19) | €11 | + 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (€5.28) | €4.15 | + 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€11) | €7 | + 45% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,716 (€410) | €502 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.20 (€0.29) | €0.14 | + 98% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 321 (€77) | €30 | + 160% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (€5.10) | €12 | - 59% | |
| TOTAL | + 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 24, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.23880
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,910 prices entered by 340 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 16% more expensive than in France
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