Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Hong Kong
Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (HK$95) | HK$76 | + 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (HK$72) | HK$50 | + 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (HK$39) | HK$39 | - 0% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (HK$14) | HK$25 | - 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (HK$28) | HK$30 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (HK$13) | HK$25 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (HK$38) | HK$96 | - 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (HK$20) | HK$30 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (HK$9) | HK$20 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (HK$20) | HK$18 | + 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 61 (HK$129) | HK$127 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (HK$17) | HK$16 | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (HK$11) | HK$19 | - 43% | |
| Housing | - 7% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 7% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,959 (HK$29,542) | HK$39,114 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,141 (HK$19,346) | HK$27,315 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 763 (HK$1,615) | HK$1,456 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,118 (HK$17,180) | HK$19,055 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,265 (HK$11,143) | HK$13,392 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 537 (HK$1,136) | HK$1,025 | + 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (HK$699) | HK$187 | + 274% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 748 (HK$1,584) | HK$3,504 | - 55% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 353 (HK$748) | HK$1,032 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (HK$70) | HK$104 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 30 (HK$64) | HK$80 | - 20% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 14% more expensive than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 258 (HK$545) | HK$609 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (HK$459) | HK$306 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 405 (HK$858) | HK$705 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 412 (HK$871) | HK$1,097 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 19% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,353 (HK$199,683) | HK$287,719 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.93 (HK$6) | HK$24 | - 75% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 276 (HK$584) | HK$552 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 19% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 19% more expensive than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (HK$47) | HK$116 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (HK$175) | HK$88 | + 99% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (HK$811) | HK$493 | + 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (HK$51) | HK$40 | + 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (HK$44) | HK$24 | + 86% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (HK$42) | HK$68 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (HK$21) | HK$19 | + 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (HK$24) | HK$23 | + 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (HK$82) | HK$176 | - 53% | |
| Entertainment | + 9% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in Hong Kong | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (HK$320) | HK$312 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (HK$205) | HK$199 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (HK$1,270) | HK$500 | + 154% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 277 (HK$586) | HK$554 | + 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (HK$164) | HK$152 | + 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (HK$46) | HK$40 | + 16% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (HK$94) | HK$60 | + 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (HK$3,614) | - | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (HK$1.27) | HK$0.99 | + 28% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 322 (HK$682) | HK$634 | + 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (HK$45) | HK$102 | - 56% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.116
HKD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,259 prices entered by 242 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Hong Kong
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