Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 ($13) | $15 | - 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 ($8) | $8 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 20 ($5.34) | $4.25 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.88) | $0.88 | + 113% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 14 ($3.94) | $2.94 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 ($1.88) | $4.11 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 ($6) | $6 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.40) | $3.31 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.63 ($1.26) | $1.67 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 ($3.66) | $3.31 | + 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 81 ($22) | $14 | + 57% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 ($2.14) | $1.99 | + 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.70 ($1.28) | $2.06 | - 38% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| 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 7,710 ($2,099) | $2,210 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,695 ($1,550) | $1,551 | - 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 686 ($187) | $178 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,844 ($1,319) | $1,532 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,415 ($930) | $1,115 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 365 ($99) | $111 | - 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 277 ($75) | $50 | + 50% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 950 ($259) | $271 | - 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 375 ($102) | $128 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 ($10) | $11 | - 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 ($9) | $22 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 21% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 225 ($61) | $47 | + 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 207 ($56) | $44 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 338 ($92) | $87 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 345 ($94) | $109 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 85,543 ($23,289) | $23,548 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.06 ($0.56) | $0.64 | - 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 127 ($35) | $74 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 11% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 18 ($5.00) | $7 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 50 ($14) | $16 | - 17% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 260 ($71) | $112 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 30 ($8) | $7 | + 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 ($4.63) | $3.47 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 ($5.02) | $4.93 | + 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 ($3.22) | $3.64 | - 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 ($3.40) | $1.82 | + 87% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 75 ($21) | $22 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 ($52) | $46 | + 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 84 ($23) | $25 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 595 ($162) | $206 | - 21% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 ($72) | $79 | - 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 74 ($20) | $12 | + 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 ($5.84) | $5.05 | + 16% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $5.83 | + 110% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,008 ($547) | $419 | + 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.64 ($0.17) | $0.51 | - 66% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 297 ($81) | $50 | + 63% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 20 ($5.36) | $8 | - 35% | |
| TOTAL | - 10% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.27225
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 33,666 prices entered by 4,554 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States
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