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Cost of Living in Sharjah

Sharjah, Ash Shāriqah, United Arab Emirates · Population 1,247,749

▲ +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 Sharjah

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 Sharjah 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 Sharjah

Sharjah vs DubaiSharjah vs Abu DhabiSharjah vs Al ‘AynSharjah vs ‘AjmānSharjah vs Ra’s al KhaymahSharjah vs Al Fujayrah

Nearby Cities

‘Ajmān

10 km away · ‘Ajmān

Dubai

13 km away · Dubayy

Umm al Qaywayn

29 km away · Umm al Qaywayn

Al Jazīrah al Ḩamrā’

57 km away · Ra’s al Khaymah

Ra’s al Khaymah

73 km away · Ra’s al Khaymah

Khawr Fakkān

95 km away · Ash Shāriqah

Al Fujayrah

96 km away · Al Fujayrah

Kalbā

100 km away · Ash Shāriqah

Other Major Cities in United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Dubayy · pop. 4,945,000

د.إ5,200 ($1,417) / mo

Abu Dhabi

Abū Z̧aby · pop. 1,570,000

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 Sharjah

Sharjah 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 Sharjah 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 Sharjah expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated د.إ4,496 ($1,225) per month in Sharjah 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 Sharjah?
A net salary of around د.إ5,845 ($1,593) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Sharjah with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Sharjah is د.إ15,062 ($4,104).
How much is rent in Sharjah?
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 Sharjah cheaper than United Arab Emirates on average?
No — Sharjah 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 Sharjah?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at د.إ882 ($240) in Sharjah. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about د.إ39 ($11) and a cappuccino runs around د.إ12 ($3).
How do transport costs in Sharjah compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Sharjah is estimated at د.إ143 ($39). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Sharjah are estimates based on United Arab Emirates national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,247,749). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.