Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 7% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 42 (£9) | £13 | - 30% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 32 (£7) | £7 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (£3.29) | £3.43 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (£1.42) | £1.11 | + 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (£3.35) | £3.52 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.00 (£1.12) | £1.91 | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (£4.41) | £4.23 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (£1.77) | £2.00 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.66 (£0.82) | £0.93 | - 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (£2.24) | £1.71 | + 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 64 (£14) | £8 | + 73% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (£1.90) | £2.24 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 (£1.00) | £1.10 | - 9% | |
| Housing | + 19% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 19% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,818 (£2,192) | £2,047 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,908 (£1,542) | £1,348 | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 885 (£198) | £218 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,950 (£1,328) | £1,150 | + 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,006 (£894) | £823 | + 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 650 (£145) | £133 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 330 (£74) | £26 | + 188% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 931 (£208) | £306 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 355 (£79) | £93 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 43 (£10) | £6 | + 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 37 (£8) | £15 | - 45% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 6% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 194 (£43) | £63 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 185 (£41) | £32 | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 340 (£76) | £68 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 340 (£76) | £70 | + 9% | |
| Transportation | - 63% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 63% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 95,977 (£21,423) | £25,707 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.08 (£0.69) | £1.52 | - 55% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 98 (£22) | £91 | - 76% | |
| Personal Care | - 9% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 13 (£3.00) | £4.12 | - 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 30 (£7) | £11 | - 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 272 (£61) | £112 | - 46% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 28 (£6) | £3.78 | + 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (£3.80) | £1.69 | + 125% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (£5.11) | £3.49 | + 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 13 (£2.84) | £2.13 | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (£2.66) | £1.81 | + 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 43 (£10) | £14 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | + 14% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 14% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 169 (£38) | £37 | + 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (£21) | £19 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 320 (£71) | £153 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 292 (£65) | £58 | + 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (£18) | £10 | + 81% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (£4.59) | £3.28 | + 40% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 40 (£9) | £4.89 | + 81% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,948 (£435) | £417 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 (£0.16) | £0.10 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 260 (£58) | £34 | + 70% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (£4.35) | £13 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.22321
GBP
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,516 prices entered by 972 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 17% cheaper than in United Kingdom
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 14% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Andorra is 22% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Angola is 57% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Austria is 18% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 40% more expensive than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Argentina is 51% cheaper than in United Kingdom
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 52% cheaper than in United Kingdom