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Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Abū Z̧aby, United Arab Emirates · Population 1,570,000

▲ +8% vs United Arab Emirates average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)د.إ4,496 ($1,225)
Couple, monthlyد.إ8,251 ($2,248)
Family of four, monthlyد.إ10,931 ($2,978)

Estimated Prices in Abu Dhabi

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantد.إ38.91 ($10.60)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeد.إ156 ($42.41)per meal
Cappuccinoد.إ11.67 ($3.18)each
Monthly groceries (single person)د.إ882 ($240)per month
Monthly public transport passد.إ143 ($38.87)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentد.إ376 ($102)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)د.إ109 ($29.69)per month
Fitness club membershipد.إ109 ($29.69)per month
Cinema ticketد.إ28.53 ($7.77)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreد.إ2,734 ($745)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreد.إ1,902 ($518)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreد.إ5,707 ($1,555)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Abu Dhabi is د.إ15,062 ($4,104) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of د.إ4,496 ($1,225) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly د.إ5,845 ($1,593) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (د.إ1,902 ($518)) represents about 42% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi vs DubaiAbu Dhabi vs SharjahAbu Dhabi vs Al ‘AynAbu Dhabi vs ‘AjmānAbu Dhabi vs Ra’s al KhaymahAbu Dhabi vs Al Fujayrah

Nearby Cities

Madīnat Zāyid

117 km away · Abū Z̧aby

Dubai

129 km away · Dubayy

Al ‘Ayn

139 km away · Abū Z̧aby

Sharjah

142 km away · Ash Shāriqah

‘Ajmān

152 km away · ‘Ajmān

Umm al Qaywayn

170 km away · Umm al Qaywayn

Al Jazīrah al Ḩamrā’

199 km away · Ra’s al Khaymah

Kalbā

209 km away · Ash Shāriqah

Other Major Cities in United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Dubayy · pop. 4,945,000

د.إ5,200 ($1,417) / mo

Sharjah

Ash Shāriqah · pop. 1,247,749

د.إ4,496 ($1,225) / mo

Al ‘Ayn

Abū Z̧aby · pop. 766,936

د.إ4,149 ($1,130) / mo

‘Ajmān

‘Ajmān · pop. 490,035

د.إ4,149 ($1,130) / mo

Ra’s al Khaymah

Ra’s al Khaymah · pop. 115,949

د.إ3,890 ($1,060) / mo

Al Fujayrah

Al Fujayrah · pop. 93,673

د.إ3,890 ($1,060) / mo

Kalbā

Ash Shāriqah · pop. 54,876

د.إ3,890 ($1,060) / mo

Living in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is one of the key cities in United Arab Emirates. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is د.إ4,496 ($1,225), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around د.إ1,902 ($518) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to د.إ10,931 ($2,978) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately د.إ8,251 ($2,248) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Abu Dhabi is د.إ15,062 ($4,104). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least د.إ5,845 ($1,593) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Abu Dhabi expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated د.إ4,496 ($1,225) per month in Abu Dhabi including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for United Arab Emirates.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Abu Dhabi?
A net salary of around د.إ5,845 ($1,593) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Abu Dhabi with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Abu Dhabi is د.إ15,062 ($4,104).
How much is rent in Abu Dhabi?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated د.إ2,734 ($745) per month in the city centre and د.إ1,902 ($518) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about د.إ5,707 ($1,555).
Is Abu Dhabi cheaper than United Arab Emirates on average?
No — Abu Dhabi is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the United Arab Emirates average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Abu Dhabi?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at د.إ882 ($240) in Abu Dhabi. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about د.إ39 ($11) and a cappuccino runs around د.إ12 ($3).
How do transport costs in Abu Dhabi compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Abu Dhabi is estimated at د.إ143 ($39). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Abu Dhabi are estimates based on United Arab Emirates national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,570,000). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.