Home > Living in Dubai > The Cost of Living In Dubai: Your 2024 Guide
If you’re an entrepreneur intending to live and work in the UAE, you may be looking at the cost of living in Dubai in 2024. Dubai is a city of luxury, innovation, and cultural fusion that attracts people from around the globe. This article delves into the living costs in this vibrant metropolis, covering essential aspects such as accommodation, food & groceries, utilities, travel & transportation, healthcare, education, and entertainment.
What’s the Cost of Living in Dubai?
Accommodation
Monthly rent:
| Studio Apartment (Dubai City) | 5648 AED |
| Studio Apartment (Outside Dubai City) | 3644 AED |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment (Dubai City) | 8359 AED |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment (Outside Dubai City) | 5125 AED |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment (Dubai City) | 16144 AED |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment (Outside Dubai City) | 11740 AED |
Apartment prices:
| Studio apartment | 475,000-775,000 AED |
| 2 bedroom apartment | 1,215,000-1,399,999 AED |
Groceries
| Milk (1 litre) | 7 AED |
| Bread (1 loaf) | 6 AED |
| Eggs (A dozen) | 13 AED |
| Chicken Breast (500g) | 17 AED |
| Apples (1kg) | 8.2 AED |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 3.8 AED |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 5.5 AED |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.5 AED |
| Cheese (500g) | 27 AED |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 65 AED |
Restaurants/Take-away
| Fast food (meal for one) | 35 AED |
| Casual restaurant (meal for one) | 50 AED |
| Mid-range restaurant (meal for one) | 90 AED |
| Expensive restaurant (meal for one) | 500 AED |
| Bottle of wine | 150 AED |
| Domestic beer | 40 AED |
| Cappuccino | 15 AED |
Utilities
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for an apartment | 780 AED |
| Home internet (monthly) | 250 AED |
| Phone plan (monthly) | 50 AED |
Travel & Transportation
| Public transport monthly pass | 300 AED |
| Bus | 3 AED |
| Metro | 4 AED |
| Water taxi | 10 AED |
| Tram | 5 AED |
| Taxi (1km) | 15 AED |
| Rental car (daily) | 100 AED |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | 3 AED |
| Brand new car (small sedan) | 80,000 AED |
Entertainment
| Movie theatre (for 2) | 90 AED |
| Monthly gym membership | 270 AED |
| Museum ticket (for 2) | 120 AED |
| Massage (30 minutes) | 85 AED |
| Theme park tickets | 200 AED |
| Bowling (for 2) | 90 AED |
Education
Preschool/kindergarten fees:
| Preschool/kindergarten | 32,736 AED |
Tuition fees for international schools:
| Grade 5 | 30,000-40,000 AED |
| Grade 6-8 | 40,000-50,000 AED |
| Grade 9-10 | 50,000-60,000 AED |
| Grade 11-12 | 60,000-70,000 AED |
Undergraduate fees:
| Undergraduate degree (per student) | 173,400 AED |
Housemaid Services
| Housemaid services (monthly) | 1500-3500 AED |
| Sponsorship fees (annually) | 5500 AED |
| Cleaning (per hour) | 30 AED |
Built into the cost of having a full-time housemaid, it is your responsibility to sponsor them and renew their visa annually.
Healthcare
| Basic health insurance (annually) | 600-800 AED |
| Comprehensive health insurance (annually) | 5500 AED |
| Premium health insurance (annually) | 10,000-15,000 AED |
| Short visit to the doctors | 240 AED |
| X-ray | 200-400 AED |
| Ultrasound | 200-400 AED |
| Dental checkup | 200-400 AED |
| Health care card (adults) | 320 |
| Health care card (children under the age of 10) | 120 |
Dubai medical insurance companies include:
- AXA Insurance
- Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance P.S.C. (DNIRC)
- Metlife
- Allianz – Orient Insurance and Oman Insurance Company.
Public healthcare services in Dubai offer free or low-cost options to UAE residents, including expatriates, but require a UAE health card to access these services. It’s advisable to have a health card in addition to health insurance as it enables access to public healthcare services that your insurance policy might not cover.
Monthly Salary
| Median salary (monthly) | 13,800 AED |
| Average salary (monthly) | 15,700 AED |
Cost of Living in Dubai: For Singles, Couples & Families
| Monthly expenses for 1 person | 5000-5500 AED |
| Monthly expenses for a couple | 8000-9000 AED |
| Monthly expenses for a family of 4 | 17500 AED |
Is Living in Dubai Really That Expensive?
The living expenses in Dubai have become more affordable in recent years, thanks to the UAE’s incentives to draw top global talent and entrepreneurs into the region via the Golden Visa Scheme. This, coupled with deflation seen in Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the past two years, has caused sectors such as real estate to become cheaper for expatriates. With the average monthly salary of 15,700 AED and the average monthly living expenses for a single person ranging from 5000 to 5500 AED, living in Dubai is actually quite affordable.
FAQ’s
Are there any budget-friendly schools in Dubai?
Yes, there are budget-friendly schools in Dubai, like The English Elite School, Central School Dubai, and Crescent English High School, which tend to charge around AED 4,000 per month, varying by grade level.
Does Dubai offer international education?
Dubai offers various educational options, boasting 17 distinct school curricula, including British, Indian, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), French, Pakistani, German, and Japanese systems.
Are there many business opportunities in Dubai?
Much like the city’s towering metro buildings along the Dubai Marina, the options for business opportunities in Dubai are sky-high. The vibrant energy of Dubai attracts many expats from around the world who want to take advantage of the many perks it has on offer. Skilled workers, students and professionals from all walks of life flock to this bustling and diverse centre each year.
What is the monthly cost of living in Dubai?
The overall monthly cost of living in Dubai for a single person is between 5000 and 5500 AED, 8000-9000 AED for a couple and 17500 AED for a family of 4.
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