Cost of living in Albania compared to United Arab Emirates
Currency:
Food | - 12% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Albania is 12% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 804 Lek (Dirham 34) | Dirham 46 | - 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 901 Lek (Dirham 38) | Dirham 34 | + 11% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 370 Lek (Dirham 16) | Dirham 18 | - 12% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 162 Lek (Dirham 7) | Dirham 6 | + 8% | |
12 eggs, large | 346 Lek (Dirham 15) | Dirham 13 | + 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 205 Lek (Dirham 9) | Dirham 6 | + 42% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 482 Lek (Dirham 20) | Dirham 19 | + 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 179 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 9 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 88 Lek (Dirham 3.74) | Dirham 4.47 | - 16% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 117 Lek (Dirham 4.97) | Dirham 10 | - 48% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 1,465 Lek (Dirham 62) | Dirham 59 | + 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 190 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 7 | + 9% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 58 Lek (Dirham 2.46) | Dirham 5.06 | - 51% | |
Housing | - 77% | |||
Housing in Albania is 77% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 54,370 Lek (Dirham 2,312) | Dirham 14,225 | - 84% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 47,310 Lek (Dirham 2,011) | Dirham 9,147 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,000 Lek (Dirham 298) | Dirham 766 | - 61% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 32,381 Lek (Dirham 1,377) | Dirham 8,038 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 25,232 Lek (Dirham 1,073) | Dirham 5,261 | - 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 6,793 Lek (Dirham 289) | Dirham 580 | - 50% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,317 Lek (Dirham 56) | Dirham 331 | - 83% | |
40” flat screen tv | 29,173 Lek (Dirham 1,240) | Dirham 811 | + 53% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 20,293 Lek (Dirham 863) | Dirham 342 | + 152% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 600 Lek (Dirham 26) | Dirham 33 | - 22% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 959 Lek (Dirham 41) | Dirham 29 | + 41% | |
Clothes | - 15% | |||
Clothes in Albania is 15% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,917 Lek (Dirham 167) | Dirham 263 | - 37% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 3,564 Lek (Dirham 152) | Dirham 228 | - 34% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 Lek (Dirham 638) | Dirham 407 | + 57% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 12,963 Lek (Dirham 551) | Dirham 419 | + 31% | |
Transportation | - 50% | |||
Transportation in Albania is 50% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 550,000 Lek (Dirham 23,385) | Dirham 96,151 | - 76% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 189 Lek (Dirham 8) | Dirham 2.88 | + 179% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 1,718 Lek (Dirham 73) | Dirham 270 | - 73% | |
Personal Care | - 43% | |||
Personal Care in Albania is 43% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 200 Lek (Dirham 9) | Dirham 22 | - 62% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 669 Lek (Dirham 28) | Dirham 99 | - 71% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,500 Lek (Dirham 106) | Dirham 315 | - 66% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 250 Lek (Dirham 11) | Dirham 21 | - 48% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 375 Lek (Dirham 16) | Dirham 22 | - 26% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 413 Lek (Dirham 18) | Dirham 22 | - 20% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 334 Lek (Dirham 14) | Dirham 11 | + 31% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 382 Lek (Dirham 16) | Dirham 16 | + 3% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 564 Lek (Dirham 24) | Dirham 41 | - 41% | |
Entertainment | - 10% | |||
Entertainment in Albania is 10% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
Albania | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,522 Lek (Dirham 192) | Dirham 179 | + 8% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,400 Lek (Dirham 60) | Dirham 96 | - 38% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | Dirham 484 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 8,089 Lek (Dirham 344) | Dirham 284 | + 21% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 1,427 Lek (Dirham 61) | Dirham 78 | - 22% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 200 Lek (Dirham 9) | Dirham 22 | - 62% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 313 Lek (Dirham 13) | Dirham 45 | - 70% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 75,000 Lek (Dirham 3,189) | Dirham 1,716 | + 86% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | Dirham 1.20 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 4,114 Lek (Dirham 175) | Dirham 321 | - 46% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 358 Lek (Dirham 15) | Dirham 22 | - 30% | |
TOTAL | - 49% |

These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04252
AED
/
ALL
Cost of living in Albania is 49% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
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