Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 54% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (CHF 10) | CHF 28 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (CHF 8) | CHF 16 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (CHF 3.99) | CHF 11 | - 65% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (CHF 1.43) | CHF 1.77 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (CHF 2.85) | CHF 7 | - 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (CHF 1.37) | CHF 3.95 | - 65% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (CHF 4.20) | CHF 10 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (CHF 1.99) | CHF 3.66 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.47 (CHF 1.00) | CHF 2.53 | - 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (CHF 2.15) | CHF 2.36 | - 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (CHF 13) | CHF 19 | - 30% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (CHF 1.67) | CHF 2.73 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.06 (CHF 1.14) | CHF 2.49 | - 54% | |
| Housing | - 8% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,225 (CHF 3,195) | CHF 3,392 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,147 (CHF 2,054) | CHF 2,380 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (CHF 172) | CHF 223 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (CHF 1,805) | CHF 2,020 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (CHF 1,181) | CHF 1,545 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (CHF 130) | CHF 154 | - 15% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 331 (CHF 74) | CHF 39 | + 92% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (CHF 182) | CHF 388 | - 53% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (CHF 77) | CHF 148 | - 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (CHF 7) | CHF 19 | - 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (CHF 6) | CHF 30 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 26% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 26% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 263 (CHF 59) | CHF 107 | - 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 228 (CHF 51) | CHF 50 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 407 (CHF 91) | CHF 134 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (CHF 94) | CHF 170 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 31% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (CHF 21,592) | CHF 31,964 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (CHF 0.65) | CHF 1.79 | - 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (CHF 61) | CHF 80 | - 25% | |
| Personal Care | - 28% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 28% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (CHF 4.96) | CHF 12 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (CHF 22) | CHF 18 | + 23% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 315 (CHF 71) | CHF 105 | - 33% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (CHF 4.62) | CHF 5.34 | - 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (CHF 4.85) | CHF 5.10 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (CHF 4.95) | CHF 5.10 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (CHF 2.44) | CHF 4.57 | - 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (CHF 3.54) | CHF 3.94 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (CHF 9) | CHF 47 | - 80% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 38% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (CHF 40) | CHF 76 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (CHF 22) | CHF 38 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (CHF 109) | CHF 141 | - 23% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (CHF 64) | CHF 123 | - 48% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (CHF 17) | CHF 18 | - 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (CHF 4.97) | CHF 5.65 | - 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (CHF 10) | CHF 8 | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,716 (CHF 385) | CHF 497 | - 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.20 (CHF 0.27) | CHF 0.59 | - 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 321 (CHF 72) | CHF 89 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (CHF 4.90) | CHF 9 | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.22457
CHF
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,574 prices entered by 270 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 29% cheaper than in Switzerland
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