- Cost of Living
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 0% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 0% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 56 ($15) | $14 | + 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | Dirham 27 ($7) | $8 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 21 ($5.69) | $4.56 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 ($1.85) | $0.89 | + 107% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 ($3.55) | $3.17 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 ($1.81) | $4.04 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 26 ($7) | $6 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 ($2.57) | $3.33 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 5.04 ($1.37) | $1.59 | - 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 15 ($3.97) | $3.37 | + 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 104 ($28) | $15 | + 93% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | Dirham 7 ($1.95) | $1.92 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.48 ($1.22) | $2.12 | - 43% | |
| 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 7,908 ($2,153) | $2,038 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | Dirham 6,126 ($1,668) | $1,573 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 760 ($207) | $177 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | Dirham 6,091 ($1,658) | $1,574 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | Dirham 4,279 ($1,165) | $1,125 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | Dirham 536 ($146) | $123 | + 19% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | Dirham 303 ($82) | $48 | + 72% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | Dirham 1,488 ($405) | $334 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 447 ($122) | $118 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 38 ($10) | $11 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 38 ($10) | $23 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | + 30% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 30% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 260 ($71) | $47 | + 50% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | Dirham 212 ($58) | $45 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 404 ($110) | $85 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 469 ($128) | $115 | + 11% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 78,133 ($21,271) | $22,279 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.29 ($0.62) | $0.77 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 244 ($66) | $85 | - 22% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 23 ($6) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 69 ($19) | $19 | - 1% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 281 ($77) | $111 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | Dirham 27 ($7) | $7 | + 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 16 ($4.42) | $3.51 | + 26% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 19 ($5.30) | $5.09 | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 ($3.02) | $3.45 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 13 ($3.54) | $1.86 | + 90% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 58 ($16) | $20 | - 23% | |
| Entertainment | + 24% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 24% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 198 ($54) | $45 | + 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 78 ($21) | $25 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 330 ($90) | $172 | - 48% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 359 ($98) | $79 | + 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 67 ($18) | $12 | + 57% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 ($5.98) | $4.87 | + 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 43 ($12) | $5.89 | + 97% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | Dirham 2,132 ($580) | $427 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.83 ($0.23) | $0.34 | - 33% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 461 ($126) | $53 | + 135% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 21 ($5.79) | $8 | - 27% | |
| TOTAL | + 4% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 18, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.27224
USD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 98,106 prices entered by 14,597 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in United States
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