Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 47 ($13) | $22 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 35 ($9) | $12 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 ($4.84) | $5.93 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.80) | $1.09 | + 66% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.45) | $5.62 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 ($1.67) | $4.83 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 ($5.09) | $8 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.41) | $4.23 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.59 ($1.25) | $2.30 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 9 ($2.50) | $3.70 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 ($16) | $18 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 ($2.02) | $2.94 | - 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.95 ($1.35) | $3.01 | - 55% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,486 ($3,944) | $3,070 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,101 ($2,478) | $2,361 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 ($209) | $237 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 ($2,189) | $2,222 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 ($1,433) | $1,628 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 ($158) | $168 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 324 ($88) | $62 | + 43% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 ($221) | $251 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 ($93) | $150 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 36 ($10) | $15 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 31 ($8) | $34 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 13% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 269 ($73) | $58 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 217 ($59) | $49 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 397 ($108) | $106 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 ($114) | $141 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 14% 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 96,151 ($26,181) | $30,916 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 ($0.79) | $0.93 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 ($74) | $85 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | - 25% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 25% 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) | $10 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 ($27) | $24 | + 10% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 310 ($85) | $167 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 ($5.77) | $10 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 ($5.87) | $5.29 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 ($6) | $7 | - 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 ($2.95) | $5.05 | - 41% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 ($4.29) | $2.37 | + 81% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 ($11) | $31 | - 64% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 155 ($42) | $61 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 ($26) | $31 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 ($132) | $234 | - 44% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 ($77) | $104 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 ($21) | $15 | + 40% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 ($5.89) | $6 | - 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 ($12) | $8 | + 61% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 2,094 ($570) | $464 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.78 ($0.48) | $0.52 | - 7% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 317 ($86) | $70 | + 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 ($5.87) | $11 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 10% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.27229
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,573 prices entered by 1,940 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in United States
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