Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 11% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 56 (₩17,297) | ₩9,298 | + 86% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 27 (₩8,423) | ₩6,594 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (₩5,825) | ₩6,605 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (₩2,264) | ₩2,487 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (₩4,610) | ₩4,396 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 8 (₩2,407) | ₩6,719 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 27 (₩8,480) | ₩10,773 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (₩2,912) | ₩6,685 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 5.26 (₩1,627) | ₩4,124 | - 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 14 (₩4,286) | ₩2,463 | + 74% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 86 (₩26,457) | ₩24,217 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (₩2,345) | ₩2,598 | - 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.03 (₩1,245) | ₩3,250 | - 62% | |
| Housing | + 55% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 55% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,557 (₩2,336,792) | ₩1,619,410 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 4,932 (₩1,524,989) | ₩1,113,250 | + 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 666 (₩206,036) | ₩268,509 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,183 (₩1,602,705) | ₩905,962 | + 77% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,461 (₩1,070,364) | ₩584,906 | + 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 358 (₩110,608) | ₩91,589 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 299 (₩92,384) | ₩27,370 | + 238% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 919 (₩284,149) | ₩370,780 | - 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 355 (₩109,836) | ₩133,607 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (₩11,319) | ₩14,117 | - 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 34 (₩10,424) | ₩12,853 | - 19% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 21% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 (₩69,720) | ₩41,844 | + 67% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 220 (₩67,966) | ₩52,250 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 346 (₩106,945) | ₩100,837 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 353 (₩109,183) | ₩173,054 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 17% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 84,081 (₩25,999,476) | ₩32,272,900 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.11 (₩652) | ₩1,481 | - 56% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 221 (₩68,186) | ₩74,667 | - 9% | |
| Personal Care | - 4% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 4% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 (₩5,674) | ₩6,377 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 50 (₩15,464) | ₩7,390 | + 109% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 262 (₩80,888) | ₩96,192 | - 16% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 23 (₩7,065) | ₩17,569 | - 60% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (₩5,257) | ₩6,934 | - 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (₩5,706) | ₩8,324 | - 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (₩3,658) | ₩2,646 | + 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (₩3,864) | ₩2,204 | + 75% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 79 (₩24,299) | ₩17,384 | + 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 16% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 162 (₩50,126) | ₩36,000 | + 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 78 (₩23,984) | ₩20,876 | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 595 (₩183,866) | ₩165,595 | + 11% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 363 (₩112,099) | ₩71,670 | + 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 75 (₩23,070) | ₩10,109 | + 128% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 24 (₩7,278) | ₩5,043 | + 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 51 (₩15,868) | ₩5,279 | + 201% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,756 (₩542,871) | ₩669,053 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (₩220) | ₩1,500 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 336 (₩103,881) | ₩61,508 | + 69% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 (₩6,403) | ₩4,538 | + 41% | |
| TOTAL | + 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 23, 2020.
Exchange rate:
309.221
KRW
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,533 prices entered by 512 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 5% more expensive than in South Korea
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