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Cost of Living in Dubai

Dubai, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates · Population 4,945,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs United Arab Emirates average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)د.إ5,200 ($1,417)
Couple, monthlyد.إ9,560 ($2,605)
Family of four, monthlyد.إ12,682 ($3,456)

Estimated Prices in Dubai

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantد.إ44.37 ($12.09)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeد.إ177 ($48.36)per meal
Cappuccinoد.إ13.31 ($3.63)each
Monthly groceries (single person)د.إ1,006 ($274)per month
Monthly public transport passد.إ163 ($44.33)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentد.إ429 ($117)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)د.إ124 ($33.85)per month
Fitness club membershipد.إ124 ($33.85)per month
Cinema ticketد.إ32.54 ($8.87)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreد.إ3,222 ($878)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreد.إ2,242 ($611)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreد.إ6,725 ($1,832)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Dubai is د.إ17,176 ($4,680) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of د.إ5,200 ($1,417) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly د.إ6,759 ($1,842) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (د.إ2,242 ($611)) represents about 43% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Dubai

Dubai vs Abu DhabiDubai vs SharjahDubai vs Al ‘AynDubai vs ‘AjmānDubai vs Ra’s al KhaymahDubai vs Al Fujayrah

Nearby Cities

Sharjah

13 km away · Ash Shāriqah

‘Ajmān

22 km away · ‘Ajmān

Umm al Qaywayn

41 km away · Umm al Qaywayn

Al Jazīrah al Ḩamrā’

69 km away · Ra’s al Khaymah

Ra’s al Khaymah

86 km away · Ra’s al Khaymah

Al Fujayrah

104 km away · Al Fujayrah

Khawr Fakkān

106 km away · Ash Shāriqah

Kalbā

108 km away · Ash Shāriqah

Other Major Cities in United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

Abū Z̧aby · pop. 1,570,000

د.إ4,496 ($1,225) / 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 Dubai

Dubai is the capital and one of the key cities in United Arab Emirates. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is د.إ5,200 ($1,417), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around د.إ2,242 ($611) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to د.إ12,682 ($3,456) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately د.إ9,560 ($2,605) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Dubai is د.إ17,176 ($4,680). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least د.إ6,759 ($1,842) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dubai expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated د.إ5,200 ($1,417) per month in Dubai including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for United Arab Emirates.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dubai?
A net salary of around د.إ6,759 ($1,842) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Dubai with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Dubai is د.إ17,176 ($4,680).
How much is rent in Dubai?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated د.إ3,222 ($878) per month in the city centre and د.إ2,242 ($611) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about د.إ6,725 ($1,832).
Is Dubai cheaper than United Arab Emirates on average?
No — Dubai is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the United Arab Emirates average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Dubai?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at د.إ1,006 ($274) in Dubai. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about د.إ44 ($12) and a cappuccino runs around د.إ13 ($4).
How do transport costs in Dubai compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Dubai is estimated at د.إ163 ($44). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Dubai are estimates based on United Arab Emirates national averages adjusted for city size (population 4,945,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.