Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 22% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 52 (₩17,491) | ₩11,825 | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 (₩10,183) | ₩6,615 | + 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (₩5,101) | ₩5,632 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (₩2,236) | ₩2,759 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (₩5,000) | ₩6,581 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.35 (₩1,803) | ₩7,203 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 24 (₩8,027) | ₩16,031 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (₩2,608) | ₩8,264 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.03 (₩1,357) | ₩3,965 | - 66% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (₩4,249) | ₩3,108 | + 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 56 (₩18,724) | ₩21,608 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 9 (₩2,877) | ₩3,437 | - 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 3.97 (₩1,339) | ₩4,184 | - 68% | |
| Housing | + 9% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,160 (₩3,087,382) | ₩4,654,660 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,658 (₩2,244,094) | ₩2,343,600 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 811 (₩273,415) | ₩254,267 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,412 (₩1,824,163) | ₩1,589,470 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,534 (₩1,191,044) | ₩779,612 | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 546 (₩184,004) | ₩86,783 | + 112% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 343 (₩115,675) | ₩32,020 | + 261% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,466 (₩494,267) | ₩219,090 | + 126% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 (₩111,121) | ₩89,516 | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (₩14,639) | ₩16,029 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 44 (₩14,945) | ₩13,774 | + 8% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 21% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 (₩75,981) | ₩69,705 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 207 (₩69,768) | ₩54,258 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (₩115,231) | ₩82,310 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 344 (₩115,896) | ₩127,854 | - 9% | |
| Transportation | + 22% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 22% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 97,182 (₩32,756,236) | ₩35,091,300 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.42 (₩1,153) | ₩1,965 | - 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 283 (₩95,403) | ₩59,721 | + 60% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 6% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 (₩7,652) | ₩8,245 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 (₩12,631) | ₩4,500 | + 181% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 329 (₩110,783) | ₩22,779 | + 386% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 (₩8,784) | ₩21,034 | - 58% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 18 (₩5,962) | ₩10,694 | - 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (₩7,877) | ₩8,457 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 14 (₩4,632) | ₩5,308 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 19 (₩6,501) | ₩8,235 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 54 (₩18,365) | ₩11,266 | + 63% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 196 (₩65,933) | ₩30,256 | + 118% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 97 (₩32,804) | ₩29,287 | + 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 237 (₩79,936) | ₩379,963 | - 79% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 332 (₩111,839) | ₩116,906 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 77 (₩26,050) | ₩17,287 | + 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (₩7,169) | ₩6,787 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (₩15,090) | ₩5,017 | + 201% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,845 (₩621,794) | ₩795,597 | - 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.53 (₩178) | ₩236 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 296 (₩99,827) | ₩116,074 | - 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (₩6,483) | ₩4,500 | + 44% | |
| TOTAL | + 5% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,470 prices entered by 339 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
337.061
KRW
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 5% more expensive than in South Korea
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