Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Romania
Currency:
| Food | + 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 28% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Romania | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 (56 lei) | 50 lei | + 12% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 (42 lei) | 33 lei | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (21 lei) | 16 lei | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (8 lei) | 7 lei | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (15 lei) | 14 lei | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (7 lei) | 10 lei | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (22 lei) | 24 lei | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (11 lei) | 4.94 lei | + 115% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.59 (5.50 lei) | 3.31 lei | + 66% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 (11 lei) | 4.58 lei | + 140% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (70 lei) | 31 lei | + 124% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (9 lei) | 11 lei | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.95 (5.93 lei) | 3.29 lei | + 80% | |
| Housing | + 258% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 258% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Romania | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,486 (17,347 lei) | 3,329 lei | + 421% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,101 (10,899 lei) | 2,665 lei | + 309% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (917 lei) | 552 lei | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (9,625 lei) | 2,595 lei | + 271% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (6,300 lei) | 1,849 lei | + 241% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (695 lei) | 379 lei | + 83% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 (389 lei) | 46 lei | + 738% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (971 lei) | 1,344 lei | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (410 lei) | 447 lei | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 36 (43 lei) | 61 lei | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 (37 lei) | 80 lei | - 54% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 29% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Romania | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 (322 lei) | 350 lei | - 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 (260 lei) | 152 lei | + 71% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 (475 lei) | 365 lei | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (502 lei) | 397 lei | + 26% | |
| Transportation | + 54% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 54% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Romania | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (115,143 lei) | 126,790 lei | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (3.45 lei) | 7 lei | - 52% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (324 lei) | 115 lei | + 181% | |
| Personal Care | + 34% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 34% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Romania | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (28 lei) | 30 lei | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (119 lei) | 46 lei | + 157% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 (372 lei) | 284 lei | + 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (25 lei) | 22 lei | + 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (26 lei) | 23 lei | + 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (26 lei) | 24 lei | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (13 lei) | 8 lei | + 57% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (19 lei) | 16 lei | + 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (49 lei) | 73 lei | - 33% | |
| Entertainment | + 97% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 97% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Romania | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 (186 lei) | 148 lei | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (115 lei) | 61 lei | + 88% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (580 lei) | 237 lei | + 144% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (340 lei) | 209 lei | + 63% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (93 lei) | 31 lei | + 203% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (26 lei) | 15 lei | + 70% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (54 lei) | 12 lei | + 333% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 (2,508 lei) | 3,692 lei | - 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 (2.13 lei) | 0.25 lei | + 751% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 (380 lei) | 207 lei | + 84% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (26 lei) | 27 lei | - 4% | |
| TOTAL | + 99% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.198
RON
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,489 prices entered by 245 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 99% more expensive than in Romania
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