Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Italy
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Italy | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (€11) | €17 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (€8) | €11 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (€4.20) | €5.49 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (€1.56) | €1.57 | - 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (€2.99) | €4.29 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (€1.44) | €3.87 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (€4.42) | €7 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (€2.09) | €2.39 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.63 (€1.09) | €1.70 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (€2.16) | €1.65 | + 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (€14) | €8 | + 65% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (€1.75) | €2.55 | - 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.95 (€1.17) | €1.51 | - 23% | |
| Housing | + 98% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 98% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Italy | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,486 (€3,420) | €1,464 | + 134% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,101 (€2,149) | €953 | + 125% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (€181) | €142 | + 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (€1,898) | €1,008 | + 88% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (€1,242) | €730 | + 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (€137) | €130 | + 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 (€77) | €26 | + 197% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (€191) | €295 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (€81) | €140 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 36 (€9) | €8 | + 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (€7) | €11 | - 34% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Italy | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 (€63) | €84 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (€51) | €45 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 (€94) | €102 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (€99) | €120 | - 18% | |
| Transportation | + 12% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 12% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Italy | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (€22,703) | €28,913 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (€0.68) | €1.78 | - 62% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (€64) | €39 | + 65% | |
| Personal Care | + 2% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Italy | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Italy | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (€5.49) | €9 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (€23) | €15 | + 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 (€73) | €106 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (€5.01) | €5.64 | - 11% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (€5.09) | €3.89 | + 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (€5.21) | €3.54 | + 47% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (€2.56) | €1.97 | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (€3.72) | €1.80 | + 106% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (€10) | €20 | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | + 14% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 14% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Italy | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 (€37) | €41 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (€23) | €18 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (€114) | €91 | + 25% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (€67) | €64 | + 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (€18) | €9 | + 94% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (€5.11) | €2.56 | + 100% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (€11) | €5.37 | + 98% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 (€495) | €677 | - 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 (€0.42) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 (€75) | €51 | + 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (€5.09) | €5.83 | - 13% | |
| TOTAL | + 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.23612
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,984 prices entered by 322 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 25% more expensive than in Italy
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