Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | - 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Mexico | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (Mex$ 239) | Mex$ 323 | - 26% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (Mex$ 177) | Mex$ 182 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (Mex$ 94) | Mex$ 74 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (Mex$ 33) | Mex$ 29 | + 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (Mex$ 67) | Mex$ 50 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (Mex$ 33) | Mex$ 33 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (Mex$ 98) | Mex$ 91 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (Mex$ 45) | Mex$ 47 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.55 (Mex$ 23) | Mex$ 34 | - 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (Mex$ 48) | Mex$ 30 | + 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 (Mex$ 298) | Mex$ 272 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 39 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.85 (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 27 | - 7% | |
| Housing | + 198% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 198% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,554 (Mex$ 74,265) | Mex$ 24,494 | + 203% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,154 (Mex$ 46,707) | Mex$ 12,965 | + 260% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 721 (Mex$ 3,678) | Mex$ 1,210 | + 204% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (Mex$ 41,014) | Mex$ 15,768 | + 160% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,394 (Mex$ 27,526) | Mex$ 7,787 | + 253% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (Mex$ 2,960) | Mex$ 694 | + 327% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 (Mex$ 1,655) | Mex$ 397 | + 317% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (Mex$ 4,137) | Mex$ 5,861 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (Mex$ 1,745) | Mex$ 2,286 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (Mex$ 189) | Mex$ 142 | + 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (Mex$ 149) | Mex$ 131 | + 14% | |
| Clothes | + 41% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 41% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 (Mex$ 1,370) | Mex$ 953 | + 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (Mex$ 1,108) | Mex$ 764 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 (Mex$ 2,026) | Mex$ 1,699 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (Mex$ 2,139) | Mex$ 1,429 | + 50% | |
| Transportation | + 51% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 51% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (Mex$ 490,626) | Mex$ 407,184 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (Mex$ 15) | Mex$ 24 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (Mex$ 1,379) | Mex$ 674 | + 104% | |
| Personal Care | + 59% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 59% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (Mex$ 119) | Mex$ 106 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (Mex$ 506) | Mex$ 278 | + 82% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 (Mex$ 1,584) | Mex$ 660 | + 140% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (Mex$ 108) | Mex$ 106 | + 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (Mex$ 110) | Mex$ 70 | + 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (Mex$ 113) | Mex$ 82 | + 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 40 | + 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (Mex$ 80) | Mex$ 41 | + 97% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (Mex$ 209) | Mex$ 306 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | + 102% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 102% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 (Mex$ 792) | Mex$ 381 | + 108% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (Mex$ 494) | Mex$ 179 | + 176% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (Mex$ 2,471) | Mex$ 1,041 | + 137% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 288 (Mex$ 1,469) | Mex$ 825 | + 78% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (Mex$ 397) | Mex$ 187 | + 113% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (Mex$ 114) | Mex$ 98 | + 16% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (Mex$ 230) | Mex$ 57 | + 303% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 (Mex$ 10,687) | Mex$ 10,563 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 (Mex$ 9) | Mex$ 3.22 | + 181% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 (Mex$ 1,619) | Mex$ 947 | + 71% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (Mex$ 110) | Mex$ 82 | + 34% | |
| TOTAL | + 82% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
5.103
MXN
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,560 prices entered by 686 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 82% more expensive than in Mexico
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