Cost of living · UAE

Dubai Cost of Living

Monthly cost of living breakdown for Dubai, UAE

Cost Level: High

Housing

1BR Apartment — City Center AED 6,500–14,000/mo (urban); AED 4,000–7,500 (suburbs)
USD Reference Approx. USD 1,770–3,810/mo (1BR centre) · at 2026-10-09 FX rates

Food & Dining

Budget Restaurant / Local Eatery AED 25–55 (fast food/local); AED 110–280 (restaurant)
Monthly Groceries AED 700–1,400/mo

Transport

Monthly Transport Cost NOL card metro monthly AED 200–350; Uber starts AED 12–15

Dubai Metro Red + Green Lines cover main commercial areas. NOL card accepted. Car or Uber is needed in suburban areas. Dubai International Airport is among the world's busiest.

Monthly Budget Summary

Budget Lifestyle (single)
USD 2,000–3,000
Comfortable Lifestyle (single)
USD 3,000–5,000
Family Budget (2–3 people)
USD 6,000–10,000

Band-level illustration: these three totals come from this city's cost band (level 4 of 5), not from the expenses above — every city on the same band shows the same ranges.

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Important Note

Data above is approximate and indicative. Actual costs vary by location, personal lifestyle, and exchange rate fluctuations. Verify with local sources after arrival.

Source: Richbay editorial estimate (indicative, not guaranteed)

Estimate baseline: 2026-07-20

How we estimate
  • Coverage: the city and its immediate surrounding area.
  • Housing: public statistics and current listing ranges (1-bedroom, city-centre baseline).
  • Food & transport: supermarket / restaurant reference baskets and official operator fares.
  • Currency conversion uses a reference rate; any USD figures are computed at the rate shown.
  • Confidence: Medium — an editorial estimate, not a crowdsourced index.
  • Cost level is relative to Richbay’s global city set, not an absolute index.
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