You won’t rest until you figure out the cost of living in UAE for many reasons. The most common is finding a job requiring you to move there. You may also have considered investing in the country. That doesn’t come as a surprise since the United Arab Emirates is an indisputable investment destination. Besides, it is an incredible tourist destination, given its luxurious lifestyle and breathtaking scenery. Regardless of why you are moving to UAE, one question remains constant. What is the cost of living in UAE? Here’s a discussion that answers our million-dollar question. Check it out!
Table of Contents
The Average Cost of Living in UAE
The average monthly expenses a single person uses in UAE is AED 4000. This cost comprises various expenditures, including groceries, entertainment, rent, and transportation. If you have a family of four members, the monthly average cost of living in UAE is AED 14,000. Here is a summary of the average cost of living in the various cities of the United Arab Emirates;
| City in UAE | Cost in AED (monthly) |
| Abu Dhabi | Between AED 5550 and AED 25,700 |
| Ajman | Between AED 2800 and AED 9850 |
| Dubai | Between AED 7500 and AED 30,400 |
| Fujairah | Between AED 3400 and AED 13,900 |
| Ras al-Khaimah | Between AED 4350 and AED 16,250 |
| Sharjah | Between AED 3400 and AED 14,150 |
| Umm al-Quwain | Between AED 2520 and AED 10,150 |
Factors that Determine the Cost of Living in UAE
As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in UAE is not constant. It differs from one individual or situation to another. That’s because of the various factors that determine this cost of living. Here are some of the determining factors;
- One’s lifestyle: Note that your lifestyle will determine the bills you will deal with by the end of the day, month, or stay in UAE. In most cases, every personal choice has a price tag. For instance, someone who prefers dining out will incur a higher cost of living than the one who cooks at home. Entertainment, including the type of entertainment, also determines your cost of living in the UAE. In other words, your lifestyle choices will determine the cost of living.
- Mode of transport: The mode of transport also determines one’s cost of living.
- Dependants: If you have a dependant, your cost of living will be relatively high since you have an extra mouth to feed. Similarly, the more dependents there are, the higher the number of mouths to feed and the higher the cost of living.
- Location: The above summary of the average cost of living in the various emirates.
- Type of accommodation: Your cost of living in UAE also determines your expenses. For instance, staying in a hotel is more expensive than renting a house. The type of house you rent, including a shared space, villa, or apartment, determines your pay. If you plan to live in UAE for a long time, consider buying a home instead of renting.
Various Living Expenses in the UAE
Some of the everyday living expenses in the UAE include the following;
Food Expenses
Given how important food is, one can’t afford to mention the cost of living in UAE without mentioning this hard-to-avoid expense. One may dine out, cook at home, or combine the two. Whereas cooking at home is often cheaper than dining out, both come at a cost.
Entertainment
Given the various attraction sites and fun activities in UAE, entertainment is an expense one can’t afford to overlook. Once in a while, one may wish to visit tourist attractions, attend extreme sports events, go to IMAX cinemas, or dine in high-end restaurants. Your lifestyle will determine how much you spend on such activities.
Education
If you or your kids are studying in UAE, education will also be part of your cost of living. The amount of money spent on schooling depends on various factors. One of them is one’s level of education, such as kindergarten, primary education, high school, college, or university. The type of school and the curriculum you enroll in also determine this expenditure.
Healthcare
Did you know that medical or health insurance is compulsory for people living in the UAE? That means mandatory premiums and additional expenditure. If your company doesn’t provide that for you or your family, it means digging deeper into your pocket.
Transportation
Transport is also an expense; your budget depends on your chosen mode. For instance, you can decide to drive yourself, and that’s quite expensive because of the fuel prices. Driving also means paying for parking. Alternatively, one can settle for other modes of transport, including a taxi, bus, or train.
Utilities
These expenditures comprise running the AC, water, gas, and electricity. It is no secret that these things are crucial.
Housing
Whether you own a house or rent a place, this is an unavoidable expense. Various houses have different prices and rent. It is worth noting that this isn’t an expenditure most expats have to handle.
Final Words
You will need to spend on various expenditures when residing in UAE. Every choice determines how much money you need to survive and grow in the United Arab Emirates. Remember that there isn’t a definitive figure on the cost of living in the UAE. It depends on how you choose to lead your life in this country. Some cities are more expensive than others, and the same applies to schools, transport modes, health care, rent, and other expenses. Choose wisely to ensure they are within your means.
3 thoughts on “Detailed Average Cost of Living in UAE 7 Cities Comfortably”