Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Kenya
Currency:
Food | + 78% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in United Arab Emirates is 78% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 52 (Shilling1,758) | Shilling705 | + 150% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (Shilling1,024) | Shilling611 | + 68% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (Shilling513) | Shilling439 | + 17% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (Shilling225) | Shilling119 | + 89% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (Shilling503) | Shilling229 | + 120% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.35 (Shilling181) | Shilling105 | + 73% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 24 (Shilling807) | Shilling900 | - 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (Shilling262) | Shilling277 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.03 (Shilling136) | Shilling101 | + 35% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (Shilling427) | Shilling210 | + 104% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 56 (Shilling1,882) | Shilling1,091 | + 73% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (Shilling289) | Shilling197 | + 47% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.97 (Shilling135) | Shilling52 | + 157% | |
Housing | + 108% | |||
Housing in United Arab Emirates is 108% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,160 (Shilling310,388) | Shilling169,650 | + 83% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,658 (Shilling225,609) | Shilling83,603 | + 170% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 811 (Shilling27,488) | Shilling15,047 | + 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,412 (Shilling183,391) | Shilling95,669 | + 92% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,534 (Shilling119,741) | Shilling57,033 | + 110% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 546 (Shilling18,499) | Shilling8,455 | + 119% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 343 (Shilling11,629) | Shilling2,991 | + 289% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,466 (Shilling49,691) | Shilling43,137 | + 15% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 (Shilling11,172) | Shilling23,937 | - 53% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (Shilling1,472) | Shilling700 | + 110% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 44 (Shilling1,502) | - | - | |
Clothes | + 30% | |||
Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 30% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 (Shilling7,639) | Shilling6,416 | + 19% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 207 (Shilling7,014) | Shilling5,872 | + 19% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (Shilling11,585) | Shilling6,181 | + 87% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 344 (Shilling11,652) | Shilling5,515 | + 111% | |
Transportation | + 31% | |||
Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 31% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 97,182 (Shilling3,293,132) | Shilling2,958,140 | + 11% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.42 (Shilling116) | Shilling168 | - 31% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 283 (Shilling9,591) | Shilling6,000 | + 60% | |
Personal Care | + 207% | |||
Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 207% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (Shilling769) | Shilling178 | + 332% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (Shilling1,270) | Shilling320 | + 297% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 (Shilling11,138) | Shilling3,000 | + 271% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (Shilling883) | Shilling333 | + 165% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 18 (Shilling599) | Shilling308 | + 94% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (Shilling792) | Shilling439 | + 80% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 14 (Shilling466) | Shilling115 | + 307% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 19 (Shilling654) | Shilling122 | + 435% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 54 (Shilling1,846) | Shilling300 | + 515% | |
Entertainment | + 191% | |||
Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 191% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Kenya | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 196 (Shilling6,629) | Shilling2,000 | + 231% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (Shilling3,298) | Shilling825 | + 300% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 237 (Shilling8,036) | Shilling1,600 | + 402% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 332 (Shilling11,244) | Shilling7,150 | + 57% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 77 (Shilling2,619) | Shilling645 | + 306% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (Shilling721) | Shilling276 | + 161% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (Shilling1,517) | Shilling239 | + 536% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,845 (Shilling62,512) | Shilling26,546 | + 135% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.53 (Shilling18) | Shilling4.02 | + 346% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 296 (Shilling10,036) | Shilling2,149 | + 367% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (Shilling652) | Shilling317 | + 105% | |
TOTAL | + 85% |

These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
33.886
KES
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 85% more expensive than in Kenya
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