Cost of living in China compared to United Arab Emirates
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 35% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| China | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 41元 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 47 | - 55% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 38元 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 35 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 18 | - 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 7 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16元 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 13 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 (Dirham 5.34) | Dirham 6 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 19 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 9 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (Dirham 3.31) | Dirham 4.63 | - 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (Dirham 3.42) | Dirham 9 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 89元 (Dirham 45) | Dirham 59 | - 23% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (Dirham 4.11) | Dirham 7 | - 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13元 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 4.95 | + 29% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in China is 65% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| China | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,256元 (Dirham 5,750) | Dirham 14,486 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 5,248元 (Dirham 2,680) | Dirham 9,101 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 450元 (Dirham 230) | Dirham 766 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,564元 (Dirham 3,353) | Dirham 8,038 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,518元 (Dirham 1,797) | Dirham 5,261 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (Dirham 151) | Dirham 580 | - 74% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 (Dirham 51) | Dirham 324 | - 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (Dirham 746) | Dirham 811 | - 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (Dirham 282) | Dirham 342 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 43元 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 36 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50元 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 31 | - 17% | |
| Clothes | - 25% | |||
| Clothes in China is 25% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| China | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (Dirham 213) | Dirham 269 | - 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 302元 (Dirham 154) | Dirham 217 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (Dirham 282) | Dirham 397 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (Dirham 360) | Dirham 419 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 42% | |||
| Transportation in China is 42% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| China | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 137,169元 (Dirham 70,065) | Dirham 96,151 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (Dirham 3.85) | Dirham 2.88 | + 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 228元 (Dirham 117) | Dirham 270 | - 57% | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 38% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| China | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 45元 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 23 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 59元 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 99 | - 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 (Dirham 58) | Dirham 310 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (Dirham 34) | Dirham 21 | + 61% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 22 | + 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 22 | - 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6元 (Dirham 3.15) | Dirham 11 | - 71% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 16 | - 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 64元 (Dirham 33) | Dirham 41 | - 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 54% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| China | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 169元 (Dirham 86) | Dirham 155 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 100元 (Dirham 51) | Dirham 96 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,179元 (Dirham 602) | Dirham 484 | + 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 (Dirham 164) | Dirham 284 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (Dirham 41) | Dirham 78 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 22 | - 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 19元 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 45 | - 78% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,680元 (Dirham 1,880) | Dirham 2,094 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 (Dirham 0.17) | Dirham 1.78 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 394元 (Dirham 201) | Dirham 317 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 22 | - 41% | |
| TOTAL | - 52% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.511
AED
/
CNY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,544 prices entered by 260 different people.
Cost of living in China is 52% cheaper than in United Arab Emirates
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