Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Saudi Arabia
Currency:
Food | + 13% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in United Arab Emirates is 13% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 50 (﷼ 51) | ﷼ 33 | + 56% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (﷼ 35) | ﷼ 31 | + 15% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (﷼ 20) | ﷼ 17 | + 13% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (﷼ 7) | ﷼ 6 | + 5% | |
12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 (﷼ 12) | ﷼ 17 | - 31% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.43 (﷼ 5.56) | ﷼ 6 | - 13% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 (﷼ 27) | ﷼ 15 | + 76% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (﷼ 9) | ﷼ 8 | + 8% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.27 (﷼ 4.36) | ﷼ 5.09 | - 14% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (﷼ 10) | - | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (﷼ 60) | - | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (﷼ 8) | ﷼ 8 | + 3% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.14 (﷼ 5.26) | ﷼ 3.75 | + 40% | |
Housing | + 34% | |||
Housing in United Arab Emirates is 34% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 10,115 (﷼ 10,343) | ﷼ 7,428 | + 39% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,494 (﷼ 7,663) | ﷼ 3,953 | + 94% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 798 (﷼ 816) | ﷼ 451 | + 81% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 6,790 (﷼ 6,943) | ﷼ 4,241 | + 64% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,832 (﷼ 4,941) | ﷼ 2,855 | + 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 617 (﷼ 631) | ﷼ 706 | - 11% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 230 (﷼ 235) | ﷼ 256 | - 8% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dirham 929 (﷼ 950) | ﷼ 1,142 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 321 (﷼ 328) | ﷼ 435 | - 25% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (﷼ 38) | ﷼ 35 | + 9% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (﷼ 34) | ﷼ 61 | - 45% | |
Clothes | + 0% | |||
Clothes in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Saudi Arabia | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 166 (﷼ 169) | ﷼ 182 | - 7% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 189 (﷼ 193) | ﷼ 207 | - 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 417 (﷼ 426) | ﷼ 396 | + 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 475 (﷼ 485) | ﷼ 324 | + 50% | |
Transportation | + 28% | |||
Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 28% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,640 (﷼ 90,643) | ﷼ 94,922 | - 5% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.94 (﷼ 3.01) | ﷼ 2.27 | + 33% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 207 (﷼ 211) | ﷼ 146 | + 45% | |
Personal Care | + 44% | |||
Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 44% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (﷼ 22) | ﷼ 8 | + 197% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 125 (﷼ 128) | ﷼ 90 | + 42% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 547 (﷼ 560) | ﷼ 198 | + 182% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (﷼ 28) | ﷼ 24 | + 17% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 19 (﷼ 19) | ﷼ 20 | - 4% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 (﷼ 22) | ﷼ 15 | + 42% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (﷼ 11) | ﷼ 16 | - 26% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 15 (﷼ 15) | ﷼ 20 | - 26% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 47 (﷼ 48) | ﷼ 25 | + 94% | |
Entertainment | + 20% | |||
Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 20% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 194 (﷼ 198) | ﷼ 112 | + 78% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 80 (﷼ 82) | ﷼ 118 | - 30% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 914 (﷼ 935) | ﷼ 200 | + 367% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 352 (﷼ 360) | ﷼ 218 | + 65% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (﷼ 79) | - | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 27 (﷼ 28) | ﷼ 17 | + 64% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 (﷼ 42) | - | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,688 (﷼ 1,726) | ﷼ 2,708 | - 36% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.70 (﷼ 0.72) | ﷼ 0.35 | + 106% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 247 (﷼ 252) | ﷼ 397 | - 36% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (﷼ 19) | ﷼ 26 | - 26% | |
TOTAL | + 27% |
These prices were last updated on November 12, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.023
SAR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,185 prices entered by 286 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 27% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia
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