Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Kenya
Currency:
| Food | + 82% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 82% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 45 (Shilling1,580) | Shilling454 | + 248% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (Shilling1,208) | Shilling740 | + 63% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (Shilling642) | Shilling476 | + 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (Shilling231) | Shilling118 | + 96% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (Shilling465) | Shilling253 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (Shilling212) | Shilling86 | + 145% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 18 (Shilling636) | Shilling876 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (Shilling325) | Shilling283 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.45 (Shilling157) | Shilling104 | + 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (Shilling337) | Shilling261 | + 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 61 (Shilling2,147) | Shilling1,499 | + 43% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (Shilling283) | Shilling190 | + 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.05 (Shilling178) | Shilling34 | + 420% | |
| Housing | + 263% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 263% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 13,959 (Shilling492,199) | Shilling148,548 | + 231% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,141 (Shilling322,316) | Shilling85,581 | + 277% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 763 (Shilling26,915) | Shilling7,143 | + 277% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,118 (Shilling286,240) | Shilling50,712 | + 464% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,265 (Shilling185,658) | Shilling54,012 | + 244% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 537 (Shilling18,933) | Shilling4,903 | + 286% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (Shilling11,650) | Shilling2,892 | + 303% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 748 (Shilling26,387) | Shilling33,137 | - 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 353 (Shilling12,463) | Shilling16,194 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (Shilling1,159) | Shilling1,209 | - 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 30 (Shilling1,073) | Shilling550 | + 95% | |
| Clothes | + 91% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 91% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 258 (Shilling9,083) | Shilling6,708 | + 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (Shilling7,645) | Shilling2,827 | + 170% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 405 (Shilling14,296) | Shilling8,950 | + 60% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 412 (Shilling14,517) | Shilling7,335 | + 98% | |
| Transportation | + 66% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 66% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 94,353 (Shilling3,326,873) | Shilling2,811,970 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.93 (Shilling103) | Shilling186 | - 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 276 (Shilling9,731) | Shilling3,875 | + 151% | |
| Personal Care | + 230% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 230% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (Shilling781) | Shilling303 | + 158% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 83 (Shilling2,918) | Shilling414 | + 605% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 383 (Shilling13,505) | Shilling2,204 | + 513% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 24 (Shilling851) | Shilling1,000 | - 15% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 21 (Shilling734) | Shilling250 | + 194% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 (Shilling706) | Shilling300 | + 135% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 (Shilling342) | Shilling201 | + 70% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 11 (Shilling393) | Shilling161 | + 144% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 (Shilling1,370) | Shilling738 | + 86% | |
| Entertainment | + 88% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 88% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 151 (Shilling5,332) | Shilling2,503 | + 113% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (Shilling3,416) | Shilling1,624 | + 110% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 600 (Shilling21,158) | Shilling2,421 | + 774% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 277 (Shilling9,764) | Shilling5,179 | + 89% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (Shilling2,735) | Shilling678 | + 304% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (Shilling770) | Shilling319 | + 141% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (Shilling1,571) | Shilling351 | + 348% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,708 (Shilling60,217) | Shilling80,000 | - 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.60 (Shilling21) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 322 (Shilling11,355) | Shilling4,894 | + 132% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (Shilling742) | Shilling296 | + 151% | |
| TOTAL | + 131% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,159 prices entered by 209 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
35.260
KES
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 131% more expensive than in Kenya
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