Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Spain
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 42 (€11) | €17 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 32 (€8) | €9 | - 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (€3.83) | €3.86 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (€1.65) | €1.04 | + 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 (€3.75) | €3.05 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.00 (€1.30) | €2.24 | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (€5.13) | €7 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (€2.05) | €1.96 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.66 (€0.95) | €1.30 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (€2.60) | €1.06 | + 146% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 64 (€17) | €7 | + 143% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (€2.20) | €2.03 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 (€1.16) | €1.01 | + 15% | |
| Housing | + 96% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 96% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,818 (€2,545) | €1,290 | + 97% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,908 (€1,790) | €871 | + 106% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 885 (€229) | €122 | + 88% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,950 (€1,542) | €817 | + 89% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,006 (€1,038) | €599 | + 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 650 (€168) | €82 | + 106% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (€86) | €27 | + 214% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 931 (€241) | €346 | - 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 355 (€92) | €101 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (€11) | €8 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (€10) | €11 | - 14% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 11% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 194 (€50) | €75 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 185 (€48) | €31 | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 340 (€88) | €82 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 340 (€88) | €90 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 20% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 95,977 (€24,875) | €26,246 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.08 (€0.80) | €1.64 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 98 (€25) | €30 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 22% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 22% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 13 (€3.49) | €8 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 30 (€8) | €7 | + 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 272 (€70) | €62 | + 13% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (€7) | €3.97 | + 81% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (€4.41) | €2.66 | + 66% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (€5.93) | €3.34 | + 78% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (€3.30) | €2.05 | + 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (€3.09) | €1.98 | + 56% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 43 (€11) | €17 | - 34% | |
| Entertainment | + 39% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 39% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 169 (€44) | €33 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (€24) | €16 | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 320 (€83) | €61 | + 35% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 292 (€76) | €49 | + 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (€21) | €10 | + 119% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (€5.33) | €2.67 | + 100% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (€10) | €4.64 | + 121% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,948 (€505) | €525 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (€0.18) | €0.17 | + 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 260 (€67) | €48 | + 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (€5.05) | €5.21 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | + 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.25918
EUR
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 10,154 prices entered by 1,344 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 27% more expensive than in Spain
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Spain
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Spain
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 113% more expensive than in Spain
- Cost of living in Albania is 7% cheaper than in Spain
- Cost of living in Argentina is 25% cheaper than in Spain
- Cost of living in Angola is 34% cheaper than in Spain
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 31% more expensive than in Spain
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 26% cheaper than in Spain