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Cost of living in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 1st of January 2019

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Food Price in AED
12 eggs dozen, large 12.50 DH
1 beer pint in local shops, markets 7 DH
1 kg of tomatoes 8.50 DH
Full chicken 2kg 38.75 DH
1litre 100% fruit juice 8.50 DH
1 package of cigarettes imported brands 25 DH
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 7.50 DH
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 48.95 DH
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola 0.95 DH
1 Bread loaf standard 9.50 DH
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml 12 DH
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna 18.50 DH
Heinz baked beans 1 tin 8 DH
1.5 kg Sugar 10 DH
2 liter cooking oil 20 DH
Yum-yum noodles per pack 2.00 DH
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 5.50 DH
1 liter milk 8.50 DH
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away 25 DH
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat 165 DH
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month) 145 DH
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether) 58.50 DH
House Cleaning fee per day 105 DH
Large Gas heater price range upwards. 200 DH
Original branded Electric Fans 200 DH
Original branded Electric kettle. 120 DH
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set 2000 DH
Single bed Blankets 120 DH
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne 100 DH
Ladies hair plaiting. 60 DH
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons) 18 DH
Men's haircut 40 DH
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses 24.50 DH
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages 65 DH
1 month of gym subscription. 105 DH
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone) 90 DH
Unisex Loris perfume 30 DH
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price. 100 DH
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards 1000 DH
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards 3000 DH
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks 120 DH
Go carting 30mins 120 DH
Movie House 3d cinema 30 DH
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket) 15 DH
Photo shoot 120 DH
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee 12.50 DH
3 course dinner local restaurant two people 96.50 DH
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people 150 DH
Play station 4 console without games. 2000 DH
Spalding Basketball 200 DH
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls 500 DH
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km 45 DH
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare 30 DH
1 liter petrol/diesel 6.50 DH
1 day rent a car cost 140 DH
Driver’s license 2300 DH
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar) 150 DH
1 pair of men’s formal shoes 215 DH
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 280 DH
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 135.79 DH
Ladies formal shoes original and durable 120 DH
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance) 150 DH

Cost of living in the UAE is relatively expensive in bigger cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where there is a larger population of people. Noteworthy is the fact that there is a 0% income tax in Dubai, salaries are paid without any tax imposition.

Healthcare is covered mandatorily by the university or by an employer. Some of the crucial living expenses include accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Accommodation is the most expensive living cost in the UAE, the minimum amount that can be spent on housing is 2,700 AED to 5,000 AED. Some of the options in UAE as a student include dormitory housing, shared apartments or studio flats, the latter being the most expensive.

Studio flats or one or two-bedroom apartments require 3-4 months advanced payments instead of paying rent on a monthly basis.

The rent in the UAE might be a bit pricey but in general, there are very good views, facilities and utilities in each housing option. Most buildings (towers) come with a gym, a pool, and a rooftop or somewhere in between.

In terms of food, be sure to spend a few extra to get good quality food items. But do not fret, when compared to many other western countries, the food and food items are relatively cheap in the UAE.

A lot of common food items are imported into the country, so they might cost a bit more, fruit prices are between 14 AED to 20 AED per kg. Water is also imported into the country, but however, there is local water which cost less than the foreign ones.

*RocApply Tip: Always ask for ‘local water’ as they only cost about 3 AED whereas what is considered normal water is imported and cost about 33 AED.

Restaurant prices are actually cheaper in the UAE, so eating out actually cost less than cooking at home. The average meal at a typical restaurant cost 25 to 35 AED depending on the order.

To live comfortably in the UAE as a student, you will need an average of 1,100 AED to 1,800 AED per month, which is outside of housing costs.

Transportation is surprisingly cheap in the UAE than what is expected. Owning a car is actually cheap compared to many other countries, gas prices are somewhere between 55 AED to 90 AED.

In the UAE, there is such a high turnover with the vehicles that what ends up happening is that the general car prices go down and are basically affordable.

A short to medium taxi ride will set you back around 35 AED and a simple one-way metro ticket across the city will cost around 5 AED - 7 AED. In general, a budget of 350 AED is very sufficient for public transportation in a month.