Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Nigeria
Currency:
Food | + 125% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in United Arab Emirates is 125% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (19,520 ₦) | 6,154 ₦ | + 217% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (14,446 ₦) | 5,576 ₦ | + 159% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (7,673 ₦) | 3,175 ₦ | + 142% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (2,710 ₦) | 1,031 ₦ | + 163% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (5,484 ₦) | 2,881 ₦ | + 90% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (2,664 ₦) | 1,495 ₦ | + 78% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (7,996 ₦) | 5,933 ₦ | + 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (3,641 ₦) | 3,488 ₦ | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.55 (1,893 ₦) | 2,733 ₦ | - 31% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (3,901 ₦) | 933 ₦ | + 318% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 58 (24,318 ₦) | 9,593 ₦ | + 153% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (3,228 ₦) | 1,180 ₦ | + 173% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.85 (2,019 ₦) | 1,208 ₦ | + 67% | |
Housing | + 301% | |||
Housing in United Arab Emirates is 301% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,554 (6,053,873 ₦) | 685,209 ₦ | + 784% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,154 (3,807,436 ₦) | 1,588,820 ₦ | + 140% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 721 (299,780 ₦) | 88,851 ₦ | + 237% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (3,343,286 ₦) | 1,093,320 ₦ | + 206% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,394 (2,243,787 ₦) | 1,091,650 ₦ | + 106% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (241,286 ₦) | 79,865 ₦ | + 202% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 (134,944 ₦) | 22,448 ₦ | + 501% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (337,275 ₦) | 430,911 ₦ | - 22% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (142,282 ₦) | 126,450 ₦ | + 13% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (15,369 ₦) | 3,480 ₦ | + 342% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (12,177 ₦) | 2,985 ₦ | + 308% | |
Clothes | + 378% | |||
Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 378% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Nigeria | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 (111,715 ₦) | 20,000 ₦ | + 459% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (90,308 ₦) | 15,682 ₦ | + 476% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 (165,145 ₦) | 55,435 ₦ | + 198% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (174,385 ₦) | 50,000 ₦ | + 249% | |
Transportation | + 244% | |||
Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 244% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (39,994,240 ₦) | 7,796,670 ₦ | + 413% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (1,199 ₦) | 1,064 ₦ | + 13% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (112,387 ₦) | 21,356 ₦ | + 426% | |
Personal Care | + 432% | |||
Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 432% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (9,669 ₦) | 4,044 ₦ | + 139% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (41,273 ₦) | 1,768 ₦ | + 2235% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 (129,119 ₦) | 17,619 ₦ | + 633% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (8,817 ₦) | 4,474 ₦ | + 97% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (8,975 ₦) | 1,839 ₦ | + 388% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (9,177 ₦) | 3,834 ₦ | + 139% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (4,510 ₦) | 1,110 ₦ | + 307% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (6,560 ₦) | 1,362 ₦ | + 382% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (17,057 ₦) | 3,245 ₦ | + 426% | |
Entertainment | + 211% | |||
Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 211% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 (64,554 ₦) | 17,361 ₦ | + 272% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (40,249 ₦) | 13,113 ₦ | + 207% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (201,414 ₦) | 15,224 ₦ | + 1223% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 288 (119,741 ₦) | 42,055 ₦ | + 185% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (32,330 ₦) | 4,541 ₦ | + 612% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (9,275 ₦) | 3,331 ₦ | + 178% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (18,737 ₦) | 1,421 ₦ | + 1218% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 (871,144 ₦) | 298,218 ₦ | + 192% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 (739 ₦) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 (132,010 ₦) | 16,696 ₦ | + 691% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (8,982 ₦) | 2,500 ₦ | + 259% | |
TOTAL | + 248% |

These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
415.954
NGN
/
AED
*
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 248% more expensive than in Nigeria
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