Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (¥1,846) | ¥1,035 | + 78% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (¥1,365) | ¥820 | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (¥700) | ¥618 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (¥261) | ¥237 | + 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (¥518) | ¥335 | + 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (¥241) | ¥439 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (¥736) | ¥1,195 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (¥349) | ¥822 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.63 (¥182) | ¥509 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (¥361) | ¥312 | + 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (¥2,309) | ¥1,267 | + 82% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (¥292) | ¥276 | + 6% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.95 (¥195) | ¥293 | - 33% | |
| Housing | + 74% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 74% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,486 (¥569,820) | ¥365,082 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,101 (¥358,012) | ¥197,811 | + 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (¥30,137) | ¥19,132 | + 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (¥316,176) | ¥145,654 | + 117% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (¥206,954) | ¥106,059 | + 95% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (¥22,819) | ¥8,349 | + 173% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 (¥12,762) | ¥4,448 | + 187% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (¥31,896) | ¥74,559 | - 57% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (¥13,456) | ¥25,414 | - 47% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 36 (¥1,422) | ¥1,338 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (¥1,208) | ¥2,815 | - 57% | |
| Clothes | + 41% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 41% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 (¥10,565) | ¥9,315 | + 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (¥8,540) | ¥5,103 | + 67% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 (¥15,618) | ¥10,686 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (¥16,492) | ¥12,189 | + 35% | |
| Transportation | + 18% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 18% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (¥3,782,277) | ¥3,060,780 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (¥113) | ¥169 | - 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (¥10,628) | ¥8,198 | + 30% | |
| Personal Care | - 1% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (¥914) | ¥2,133 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (¥3,903) | ¥2,551 | + 53% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 (¥12,211) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (¥834) | ¥1,337 | - 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (¥849) | ¥930 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (¥868) | ¥622 | + 40% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (¥427) | ¥224 | + 90% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (¥620) | ¥188 | + 231% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (¥1,613) | ¥4,604 | - 65% | |
| Entertainment | + 44% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 44% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 (¥6,105) | ¥4,908 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (¥3,778) | ¥3,881 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (¥19,048) | ¥7,212 | + 164% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (¥11,152) | ¥8,269 | + 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (¥3,057) | ¥1,244 | + 146% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (¥851) | ¥547 | + 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (¥1,772) | ¥674 | + 163% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 (¥82,385) | ¥51,659 | + 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 (¥70) | ¥52 | + 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 (¥12,484) | ¥9,530 | + 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (¥849) | ¥613 | + 38% | |
| TOTAL | + 39% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,037 prices entered by 222 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 25, 2025.
Exchange rate:
39.337
JPY
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 39% more expensive than in Japan
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