Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 55 ($15) | $14 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 ($8) | $8 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 17 ($4.71) | $4.31 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 ($1.68) | $0.88 | + 92% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 ($4.09) | $3.01 | + 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.83 ($1.59) | $4.07 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 22 ($5.99) | $6 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 ($2.28) | $3.39 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.12 ($1.12) | $1.74 | - 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 17 ($4.76) | $3.21 | + 48% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 86 ($23) | $15 | + 62% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.06) | $1.91 | + 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.02 ($1.10) | $2.07 | - 47% | |
| Housing | - 4% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,518 ($2,047) | $2,233 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,190 ($1,413) | $1,604 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 719 ($196) | $178 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,182 ($1,411) | $1,609 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,432 ($934) | $1,140 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 459 ($125) | $117 | + 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 313 ($85) | $48 | + 78% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,251 ($341) | $301 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 324 ($88) | $120 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 38 ($10) | $11 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 35 ($9) | $22 | - 58% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 17% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 215 ($59) | $49 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 195 ($53) | $44 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 372 ($101) | $87 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 367 ($100) | $114 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 88,560 ($24,111) | $22,996 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.20 ($0.60) | $0.77 | - 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 241 ($66) | $80 | - 17% | |
| Personal Care | - 18% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 17 ($4.63) | $7 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 62 ($17) | $20 | - 17% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 253 ($69) | $110 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 22 ($5.88) | $7 | - 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 15 ($4.09) | $3.50 | + 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 ($5.42) | $5.05 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 10 ($2.61) | $3.54 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 ($3.14) | $1.85 | + 70% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 54 ($15) | $22 | - 33% | |
| Entertainment | + 17% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 17% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 167 ($45) | $45 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 82 ($22) | $25 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 352 ($96) | $221 | - 57% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 317 ($86) | $75 | + 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 70 ($19) | $12 | + 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 23 ($6) | $4.80 | + 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 44 ($12) | $5.81 | + 106% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,625 ($442) | $405 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.71 ($0.19) | $0.19 | + 3% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 356 ($97) | $53 | + 82% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 ($5.71) | $8 | - 29% | |
| TOTAL | - 2% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.27226
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 53,174 prices entered by 6,926 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
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