Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 44 ($12) | $17 | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 ($8) | $9 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 ($4.07) | $5.09 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.93) | $0.99 | + 94% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 12 ($3.39) | $3.31 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.21 ($1.42) | $4.43 | - 68% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 ($5.35) | $7 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 ($2.20) | $3.93 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.00 ($1.09) | $1.92 | - 43% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 ($3.58) | $3.31 | + 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 53 ($15) | $16 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.10) | $2.26 | - 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.39 ($1.20) | $2.48 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,944 ($2,435) | $2,512 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,493 ($1,768) | $1,960 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 632 ($172) | $202 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,565 ($1,515) | $1,774 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,322 ($904) | $1,344 | - 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 456 ($124) | $137 | - 10% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 349 ($95) | $56 | + 69% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,377 ($375) | $301 | + 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 359 ($98) | $134 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 39 ($11) | $12 | - 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 ($10) | $27 | - 63% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 15% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 232 ($63) | $51 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 214 ($58) | $46 | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 ($90) | $92 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 339 ($92) | $121 | - 23% | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 90,989 ($24,772) | $25,479 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.77 ($0.75) | $1.07 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 304 ($83) | $78 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 28 ($8) | $7 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 48 ($13) | $19 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 290 ($79) | $123 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 16 ($4.46) | $7 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 24 ($7) | $4.14 | + 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 ($6) | $5.48 | + 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 15 ($4.01) | $4.17 | - 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 14 ($3.76) | $2.05 | + 84% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 56 ($15) | $26 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | + 10% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 10% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 ($51) | $49 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 ($25) | $27 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 660 ($180) | $190 | - 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 ($72) | $84 | - 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 ($22) | $13 | + 74% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 ($5.50) | $5.20 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $6 | + 95% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,999 ($544) | $490 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.47 ($0.13) | $0.17 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 295 ($80) | $53 | + 51% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 ($4.96) | $9 | - 45% | |
| TOTAL | - 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 25, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.27225
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,124 prices entered by 2,846 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 4% cheaper than in United States
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