Dubai is known for its luxury shopping, modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. This gorgeous city has so much to offer, from unparalleled architecture to one-of-a-kind attractions.
But if you’re just about to move here, this may lead you to wonder what price tag comes with a comfortable life in Dubai. In this article, we will be breaking down the most common living expenses in Dubai to help you plan and budget for your new life here.
- Housing
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Healthcare & Insurance
- Schools
- Transport
- Leisure
- Average Cost of Living for Families, Singles and Couples
- Key Takeaways
Housing
Whether you are renting or buying, housing in Dubai will likely be your largest expense, but it is one over which you have a lot of control. That is because housing prices vary significantly in Dubai depending on the community you choose by up to 400%.
For example, the yearly rent for a studio apartment is around AED 85,000 in Downtown Dubai but could be on average AED 55,000 in a more affordable community like Jumeirah Village Circle. Conclusively, explore different areas and find one that matches your budget.
Note that you should bear in mind the location of your work and the proximity of essential amenities. Opting for a Dubai rent apartment close to your workplace or necessary services can help you avoid offsetting the savings you make from lower rent prices by spending more on transport.
Here’s a look at the average rent and property prices you can expect in Dubai:
| Avg Annual Rent (AED) | Avg. Sales Price (AED) | |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | 55,000 | 709,000 |
| 2-bedroom Apartment | 145,000 | 2,377,000 |
| 4-bedroom Villa | 320,000 | 4,040,000 |
Explore areas to buy property in Dubai
Explore All Available Properties for Rent in Dubai
-
Apartment
Listed 2 days ago
780,000 AED/year
Sea View | Furnished | Managed
The Fairmont Palm Residence North, The Fairmont Palm Residences, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
3
4
3,382 sqft
-
Apartment
Listed 2 days ago
280,000 AED/year
Burj Khalifa View | Fully Furnished | Elegant
Downtown Views, Zabeel 2, Zabeel, Dubai
2
3
1,220 sqft
-
Apartment
Listed 2 days ago
2,500,000 AED/year
Lavish Apt with Marina View | Fully Furnished
Bulgari Resort & Residences, Jumeirah Bay Island, Jumeirah, Dubai
3
4
2,698 sqft
-
Townhouse
Listed 14 hours ago
295,000 AED/year
Brand New | Spacious and Bright
Alicante Villas, Victory Heights, Dubai Sports City, Dubai
4
5
2,633 sqft
-
Villa
Listed 3 days ago
625,000 AED/year
Corner Unit | Single Row | Large Plot | Green Belt
Harmony 2, Harmony, Tilal Al Ghaf, Dubai
5
6
5,687 sqft
-
Apartment
Listed 2 days ago
199,999 AED/year
Great Location | Plus Maids Room | Huge Layout
Opal Tower Marina, Dubai Marina, Dubai
2
4
1,546 sqft
-
Duplex
Listed 16 hours ago
850,000 AED/year
BURJ KHALIFA VIEW | UNFURNISHED| HIGH FLOOR
One Za'abeel The Residences, Zabeel 1, Zabeel, Dubai
2
4
2,411 sqft
-
Villa
Listed 6 days ago
170,000 AED/year
Brand New | Semi Detached | Good Location
The Pulse Beachfront, The Pulse, Dubai South (Dubai World Central), Dubai
3
4
2,845 sqft
-
Villa
Listed 2 days ago
310,000 AED/year
Modern 4BR Villa | Prime Location | Vacant
June, Arabian Ranches 3, Dubai
4
5
3,252 sqft
-
Apartment
Listed 6 days ago
185,000 AED/year
Highest Floor | Large Layout | Unfurnished
Downtown Views II Tower 1, Downtown Views II, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
2
2
1,284 sqft
Utilities
Utilities, including basic utilities, as well as essentials like a phone plan, can add up, so it is important to budget for them. Their cost will depend on several factors like your usage or the size of your accommodation.
Here’s a look at the average amount you can expect to pay on utilities, including electricity bills, home internet, and more in Dubai
| Utility | Monthly Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Home Internet Plan | 350 |
| Basic Phone Plan | 25 |
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 apartment (Cooling, Heating, Electricity, Garbage, Water) | 840 |
Overall, fresh produce and meat tend to be relatively affordable in Dubai relative to other major cities around the world. However, imported products, as expected, tend to be more expensive. In addition, hypermarkets and supermarkets like Carrefour, Spinneys, and Lulu are located abundantly across Dubai, and they often have reasonable offers and discounts.
Here’s a look at the prices of some common grocery items:
| Grocery Item | Price (AED) |
|---|---|
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 3.50 |
| Cocacola (1 Can 330 ml) | 4.65 |
| Milk (1 liter) | 8.40 |
| Loaf of Bread (500g) | 5.46 |
| White rice (1kg) | 10 |
| Eggs (6 pieces) | 7.30 |
| Cheese (1kg) | 68.3 |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 55.55 |
| Beef (1kg) | 56.9 |
| Apples (1kg) | 8.50 |
| Banana (1kg) | 6.76 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.85 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 6.95 |
| Potato (1kg) | 3.97 |
| Onion (1kg) | 2.40 |
Healthcare & Insurance
It is obligatory for all residents in the UAE to have health insurance. If a company is sponsoring you in Dubai, they must provide you with health insurance; in many cases, this insurance extends to your family.
However, if you are on an investor visa or, for any other reason, are not offered health insurance, then you must purchase a health insurance plan from one of the many providers in Dubai.
Besides, in case your income is less than AED 4,000 per month, you can get the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), which offers the same coverage as the UAE public healthcare.
Additionally, for those who have any domestic worker employees, you must provide them with healthcare insurance.
If you decide to purchase health insurance, here’s a look at the average annual prices of different health insurance plans.
Here’s all you need to know about healthcare in UAE as an expat.
Annual Health Insurance Cost (AED):
| Individual | Family of four | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Health Insurance | 600 – 800 | 17,000 |
| Comprehensive Health Plan | 5,500 | 33,500 |
| Premium Health Plan | 10,000 -15,000 | 70,000 |
| Essential Benefits Plans | 550 – 600 |
If you’re moving to Dubai as a family, school fees are likely a significant concern. We’ll lay out your options and average school fees to help you budget accordingly.
Public Schools
In Dubai, you’ll have the option to choose between public and private schools. Since 2001, expats in Dubai have been allowed to attend public schools. While public schools are free for Emiratis; however, expats are charged fees.
In addition, before deciding if public schools are the right choice for your child, note that public schools teach exclusively in Arabic. These schools implement the Emirati national curriculum and teach English as a second language.
Private schools
There are several international curriculums offered at private schools in Dubai, including IB, American, British and Indian. Note that private schools are often more expensive for expats than public schools; however, they offer international curricula. This helps students transfer easily between schools in different countries in case of relocating.
While fees for private schools can be quite costly, the emirate of Dubai has implemented a cap on the yearly increase of school fees to make a good education more accessible for families.
Additionally, bear in mind that you’ll need to factor in the added cost of the uniform, school supplies, school transportation, and school trips.
The table below shows the annual school fees for an expat student in grade 6 at different types of schools in Dubai to give you an idea:
| Annual Fees | |
|---|---|
| Public School (for expats) | 6,000- 19,000 |
| American Schools | 20,000 – 98,000 |
| British Schools | 22,000-95,000 |
| Indian Schools | 12,000 – 35,396 |
Click here to discover the perfect school for your kids!
Transport
There are several public transport options available in Dubai, including the metro and busses. A monthly pass for the metro in Dubai costs around AED 350 (~ 96 USD), and a single ride on the bus costs between AED 4 and 8 (~ 1-2 USD).
In addition, taxis and rideshares like Uber and Careem are also readily available, but they can be more expensive than other forms of transportation.
Alternatively, you might be interested in buying a car in Dubai.
The table below shows the average price of some common modes of transport in Dubai:
| Price (AED) | |
|---|---|
| Metro card (monthly pass) | 300 |
| Bus ride | 4 |
Leisure
Some popular leisure activities include visiting the many malls and shopping centres around Dubai, going to the beach, visiting theme parks, and going out to eat. Dubai has a plethora of diverse attractions with a wide range of prices. This means that whatever your budget, you can still find fun and affordable things to do across the city.
Check the table below for an idea of what some common leisure activities cost in Dubai:
| Cost (AED) | |
|---|---|
| Gym Membership (monthly) | 400 |
| Cinema Ticket | 60 |
| Average Restaurant Meal (per person) | 150 |
What is the Average Cost of Living in Dubai for Families, Singles, and Couples?
The table below sums up the different expenses mentioned above to estimate the average monthly costs you can expect in this city.
Here’s an estimate of the average cost of living in Dubai for singles, couples, and a family of four, excluding transport and leisure costs:
Average Monthly Costs (AED)
| Expense Type | Single (AED) | Couple (AED) | Family of Four (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 4,000 – 12,000 | 6,000 – 15,000 | 8,000 – 20,000 |
| Utilities | 500 – 1,200 | 700 – 1,500 | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| Groceries | 1,000 – 1,500 | 2,000 – 3,000 | 3,500 – 5,000 |
| Leisure | 500 – 1,500 | 800 – 2,000 | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Transport | 300 – 800 | 600 – 1,500 | 1,200 – 2,500 |
| Education | – | – | 2,000 – 5,000 (per child) |
| Total | 6,300 – 17,000 | 10,100 – 23,000 | 17,200 – 37,500+ |
Discover neighborhoods for singles in Dubai
Cost of Living in Dubai Vs India, UK, USA
Understanding the cost of living is essential when considering relocation. Below is a comparison of average monthly expenses for one person in Dubai, India, the UK, and the USA. The costs are converted to AED and cover key categories like rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and dining out.
Check out this guide if you’re moving to Dubai from India
| Category | Dubai (AED) | India (AED) | UK (AED) | USA (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1 bedroom apartment in city center) | 5505 | 917.5 | 5505 | 6606 |
| Utilities (monthly, 1 person) | 734 | 110.1 | 734 | 550.5 |
| Groceries (monthly, 1 person) | 1101 | 367 | 917.5 | 1101 |
| Transportation (monthly, 1 person) | 367 | 73.4 | 256.9 | 220.2 |
| Dining Out (monthly, 1 person) | 550.5 | 183.5 | 734 | 917.5 |
Hint: All these numbers are according to Numbeo.com analysis
Living in Dubai is generally more affordable compared to several major countries. The cost of living here is about 22% lower than in the United States. According to LivingCost.org, the United Arab Emirates ranks as the 19th most expensive country in the world. In contrast, the United States is ranked 7th, the United Kingdom holds the 12th position, and India is placed at 50th. These rankings indicate that while Dubai offers a comfortable lifestyle, it remains less costly than many Western nations.
What Is the Minimum Cost of Living in Dubai?
While the table above estimates the median cost of living, the minimum cost of living for a single person in Dubai would be around AED 6,000 per month to account for any unexpected expenses.
Key Takeaways
The cost of living in Dubai largely depends on your lifestyle and where you choose to live. Expect monthly expenses of AED 4,000–12,000 for singles and AED 8,000–20,000+ for families, excluding rent. With housing taking the biggest slice, plus utilities, food, transport, and schooling, smart decisions on location and spending can make enjoying life in Dubai comfortably within reach.
FAQs
Dubai is the most expensive city in the UAE, known for its high standard of living and luxury lifestyle. The average cost of living in Dubai varies based on lifestyle and family size. On average, a single person’s monthly expenses amount to approximately AED 12,356 excluding rent, while a family of four can expect to spend around AED 20,149 per month without rent.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai’s city center is approximately AED 6,400 per month. In more affordable areas, you can find one-bedroom apartments for around AED 4,040. Rental costs may vary based on the location, building amenities, and property size.
Yes. There’s a wide range of monthly short term rentals in Dubai, especially in renowned areas like Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai. Moreover, choosing to have a short-term stay allows you to experience the lifestyle and amenities of these vibrant communities firsthand. This flexibility is perfect for those who are exploring their options before making a long-term commitment to a specific area in Dubai.
A comfortable lifestyle in Dubai generally requires a monthly income ranging from AED 17,000 to AED 30,000. This budget typically covers rent for a decent apartment, utility bills, daily expenses, and health insurance for added security. However, the exact amount may vary based on personal preferences and spending habits.
This article should help give you an idea of the minimum salary needed to live in Dubai. However, exactly how much you need will depend on your lifestyle, family situation, and how you choose to spend your money. For example, if you’re looking to rent in Dubai per month, your budget will vary based on the location and type of property you choose.
If you’re about to move to the UAE, check out this detailed guide on how to get your residence visa and Emirates ID.
