United Arab Emirates (AE)
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — that has transformed from a pearl-diving and fishing economy into one of the world's most modern and cosmopolitan nations within a single generation.
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Region: Middle East
Language: Arabic
Currency: AED (د.إ)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 78)
Emergency: 999
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Cost of Living
Real prices in United Arab Emirates — 2026 data in AED.
78
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Above average cost. Budget carefully, especially for housing and groceries.
Food & Groceries
Bread (500g loaf) AED 3–8
Milk (1L) AED 5–10
Eggs (12) AED 8–18
Chicken breast (1kg) AED 20–35
Rice (1kg, basmati) AED 6–15
Dates (250g premium pack — iconic UAE gift) AED 20–80
Mineral water (Masafi 1.5L) AED 2–5
Monthly groceries for 1 person AED 800–1,500
Dining Out
Karak chai (street café — iconic UAE staple) AED 1–3
Shawarma wrap (street kiosk) AED 5–12
Lunch at Indian / Pakistani restaurant AED 20–50
Fast food meal (McDonald's) AED 30–50
Mid-range restaurant main course AED 60–150
Coffee at café (cappuccino) AED 20–35
Friday brunch (hotel, per person — with drinks) AED 200–600
Dinner for 2 (mid-range, with drinks) AED 300–600
Fine dining (per person) AED 400–1,200
Rent
Studio apartment (Dubai Marina / JBR, monthly) AED 6,500–9,000
1-bedroom apartment (Dubai Marina, monthly) AED 9,000–14,000
2-bedroom apartment (Dubai Marina, monthly) AED 13,000–22,000
1-bedroom apartment (Dubai suburbs: JVC / Sports City, monthly) AED 4,500–7,500
1-bedroom apartment (Abu Dhabi city, monthly) AED 5,500–10,000
1-bedroom apartment (Sharjah, monthly) AED 2,500–5,000
Villa (3-bed, Dubai suburban community, monthly) AED 18,000–40,000
Transport
Dubai Metro single trip (Nol silver) AED 3–8.50
Taxi flag-fall (Dubai) AED 12 (day) / AED 13.75 (night)
Taxi Dubai Airport to Marina (~35km) AED 70–100
Petrol (E-Plus, per litre, 2026) AED 2.57–2.75 (price changes monthly)
Salik toll (per crossing, Dubai) AED 4
Car insurance (annual, comprehensive) AED 2,000–6,000
Dubai–Abu Dhabi bus ticket (RTA intercity) AED 25
Health & Insurance
GP consultation (private, in-network co-pay) AED 20–50
Specialist consultation (private) AED 350–600
Dental check-up and cleaning AED 400–700
Basic health insurance (Daman Essential, per month) AED 100–250 (employer usually pays)
Enhanced health insurance (per month) AED 350–1,000
Eye test at optician AED 100–200
Prescription eyeglasses (basic frames) AED 300–800
Utilities
DEWA electricity + water (1-bed apartment, monthly) AED 250–500
DEWA (2-bed villa with pool, monthly) AED 600–1,500
Home internet (100 Mbps, Etisalat / e& / du, monthly) AED 249–399
Mobile plan (20GB + calls, postpaid, monthly) AED 100–250
District cooling (where applicable, monthly) AED 300–800
Childcare
Nursery (monthly, full-time, KHDA-licensed) AED 2,000–5,000
Private school (annual, KHDA rated, primary) AED 30,000–70,000
International British school (annual, secondary) AED 55,000–100,000+
School bus (annual) AED 4,000–8,000
After-school activities (per term) AED 500–2,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket (VOX / Reel) AED 45–75
Gym membership (GymNation budget, monthly) AED 99–199
Gym membership (Fitness First, premium, monthly) AED 350–600
Dubai Frame entry AED 50
Burj Khalifa (At the Top, floor 124) AED 149–200
Haircut (men, barber) AED 30–80
Haircut (women, salon) AED 100–400
Beer at licensed bar (pint) AED 40–80
Bottle of wine (licensed section, supermarket) AED 35–120
Cost of Living
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