- Cost of Living
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 2% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 59 ($16) | $14 | + 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | Dirham 28 ($8) | $8 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 21 ($5.80) | $4.52 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.81) | $0.89 | + 104% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.58) | $3.19 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 ($1.91) | $3.98 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 27 ($7) | $6 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 10 ($2.66) | $3.33 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.90 ($1.34) | $1.61 | - 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 15 ($4.02) | $3.61 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 111 ($30) | $15 | + 104% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | Dirham 7 ($1.90) | $1.92 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.58 ($1.25) | $2.13 | - 41% | |
| Housing | + 9% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | Dirham 8,116 ($2,210) | $2,049 | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | Dirham 6,041 ($1,645) | $1,577 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 731 ($199) | $177 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | Dirham 6,095 ($1,659) | $1,589 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | Dirham 4,475 ($1,218) | $1,132 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | Dirham 517 ($141) | $119 | + 18% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | Dirham 306 ($83) | $48 | + 73% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | Dirham 1,466 ($399) | $329 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 429 ($117) | $120 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 39 ($11) | $11 | - 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 39 ($11) | $23 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | + 37% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 37% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 271 ($74) | $48 | + 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | Dirham 225 ($61) | $45 | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 437 ($119) | $86 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 514 ($140) | $115 | + 22% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 76,503 ($20,827) | $22,438 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.32 ($0.63) | $0.78 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 236 ($64) | $85 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 26 ($7) | $7 | + 0% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 72 ($20) | $19 | + 5% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 294 ($80) | $111 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | Dirham 28 ($8) | $7 | + 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 ($4.44) | $3.47 | + 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 21 ($5.61) | $5.13 | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 ($3.02) | $3.47 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 ($3.50) | $1.87 | + 88% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 65 ($18) | $21 | - 14% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 22% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 198 ($54) | $45 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 81 ($22) | $25 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 414 ($113) | $174 | - 35% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 352 ($96) | $79 | + 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 67 ($18) | $12 | + 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 23 ($6) | $4.90 | + 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 42 ($11) | $5.94 | + 93% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | Dirham 1,980 ($539) | $421 | + 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.92 ($0.25) | $0.37 | - 31% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 464 ($126) | $53 | + 138% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 ($5.78) | $8 | - 26% | |
| TOTAL | + 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.27224
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 94,804 prices entered by 13,658 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
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