Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 40 ($11) | $19 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 30 ($8) | $10 | - 18% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 14 ($3.91) | $5.78 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 ($1.72) | $1.08 | + 59% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 ($3.83) | $4.95 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 4.95 ($1.35) | $4.70 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 ($5.04) | $7 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 ($2.12) | $4.66 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 3.72 ($1.01) | $2.49 | - 59% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 ($2.74) | $3.12 | - 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 60 ($16) | $16 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.29) | $2.77 | - 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.47 ($1.22) | $2.98 | - 59% | |
| Housing | - 9% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 9,595 ($2,612) | $2,823 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 7,145 ($1,945) | $2,138 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 754 ($205) | $220 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,821 ($1,585) | $1,886 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 4,054 ($1,104) | $1,441 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 546 ($149) | $146 | + 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 348 ($95) | $64 | + 49% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,109 ($302) | $295 | + 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 336 ($91) | $133 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 44 ($12) | $14 | - 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 ($10) | $31 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 5% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 191 ($52) | $54 | - 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 193 ($53) | $45 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 331 ($90) | $93 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 341 ($93) | $119 | - 22% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 91,361 ($24,874) | $27,910 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 3.78 ($1.03) | $1.05 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 89 ($24) | $79 | - 69% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 ($6) | $8 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 37 ($10) | $21 | - 52% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 283 ($77) | $140 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 26 ($7) | $8 | - 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 ($4.40) | $4.80 | - 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 20 ($5.44) | $6 | - 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 ($3.35) | $4.72 | - 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 9 ($2.55) | $2.25 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 39 ($11) | $27 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 186 ($51) | $55 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 ($25) | $28 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 332 ($90) | $195 | - 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 275 ($75) | $89 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 76 ($21) | $14 | + 52% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 ($5.66) | $5.21 | + 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 41 ($11) | $6 | + 78% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,989 ($542) | $554 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.69 ($0.19) | $0.21 | - 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 265 ($72) | $54 | + 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 ($5.48) | $10 | - 45% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.27226
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,877 prices entered by 3,058 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in United States
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