How Expensive Is It To Live In Dubai? (2024)

• Types of Expenses in Dubai
• Total Cost for Singles
• Total Cost for Couples
• Total Cost for a Family of 4
• FAQs

Dubai is a vibrant metropolis that attracts people from across the globe thanks to its multitude of opportunities, world-class lifestyle and secure environment. It’s a popular place to live for single professionals, couples and families alike. But before deciding to move to Dubai, people need to know the cost of living in the city. Fortunately, Dubai is a place where residents can live an affordable or lavish lifestyle, whichever they choose! Today, we look at the basic cost of living in Dubai, including housing, utilities, groceries, schools and more!

Find out how much Dubai life costs for a couple, a single person or a family of four with our handy guide.

TYPES OF EXPENSES IN DUBAI

Whether you want to rent a villa in Dubai or an apartment, you must consider the expenses of living in Dubai first. We have categorised the average Dubai cost of living per month into eight sections to answer the question: how much does it cost to live in Dubai?

• Housing
• Groceries
• Utilities
• Transportation and Fuel
• Healthcare
• Schooling
• Entertainment
• House Help

Out of these, housing, groceries and utilities are direct living expenses in Dubai per month that make up a good chunk of your Dubai life cost. Your secondary expenses include transport, schooling, entertainment and healthcare.

Before we proceed to analyse each category of Dubai expenses, it is vital to bear in mind that these costs can change considerably depending on your personal preferences and lifestyle choices.

HOUSING

When looking at the average Dubai living cost per month, one of the most important expenses to consider is housing. The Dubai property market is known for its sheer variety. Everything from grand villas to cosy studio flats caters to various budgets.

The area you choose to live in will greatly impact how much of your income goes towards rent and, of course, your cost of living in Dubai per month. While established neighbourhoods such as Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah and Al Barsha have higher rental costs, suburban communities like Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City, DAMAC Hills 2 and Mirdif can help you save on rent. Dubai’s older districts, such as Al Nahda and Deira, are also known for their affordable housing options.

GROCERIES

Another essential aspect to consider for the cost of living in Dubai is groceries. Many supermarket chains in Dubai stock food items from around the world. Your lifestyle and food preferences can greatly impact your monthly grocery bills.

You can expect a high grocery bill if you prefer to shop at premium retailers such as Waitrose and Spinneys or purchase imported food or expensive meat cuts. For example, a 1 kg Australian Angus Ribeye Steak costs around AED 200, and this price may be higher or lower depending on where you shop.

It is, however, possible to keep your grocery bill on the lower side by shopping at affordable supermarkets such as Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket or Union Cooperative. Purchasing local and in-season produce and keeping an eye out for bundle offers and discounts also go a long way in decreasing the grocery quotient of your Dubai daily expenses.

UTILITIES

Your Dubai life cost will include the cost of utilities that comprises your electricity and water connection (provided by DEWA), TV and internet package and mobile plans.

Your average monthly DEWA bill will likely differ during the summer and winter, as the A/C usage will typically be higher in summer. Additionally, if you rent a villa with a private pool and garden, you can expect to see your bills increase further.

As for TV and internet packages in Dubai, residents can choose from various options provided by Etisalat and du. A basic package will get residents 250 Mbps, unlimited data and Cable/ADSL, which costs around AED 389 per month (excluding VAT).

Meanwhile, premium packages with 500 Mbps or more download speed and premium sports and entertainment channels will cost at least AED 450 (excluding VAT) per month. Both Etisalat and du also run limited-time offers to avail internet and TV packages at discounted prices. So, make sure you keep an eye out for that.

Postpaid mobile plans in Dubai have prices starting from AED 125 per month but can go up to AED 1,000 per month for better data packages and more calling minutes. Of course, there is always the option to use prepaid mobile plans that allow you greater financial flexibility.

TRANSPORTATION

The cost of living in Dubai will also include your commuting costs. Whether you use public transport or your car to get around, the monthly expenditure will depend on the duration and frequency of your commute.

Petrol prices in the UAE are comparatively lower than in other parts of the world. But your car model and how far you drive will impact your fuel costs. You also need to consider the costs of car insurance and servicing, which will depend on your car type.

For those who want to save money and use public transport, Dubai is connected by a network of public buses, taxis, ferries and the Dubai Metro. You can use the Nol card that covers all the city zones to pay for your bus, metro, ferry and even taxi fares. Again, your overall transportation cost will depend on the frequency and distance of your commutes, and the mode of transportation you choose. Taxis are obviously more expensive.

You can also opt for the monthly Nol pass that costs AED 350 and enables residents to get around quickly. Another way to control your commute time and cost is to live closer to the workplace.

HEALTHCARE

Health or medical insurance is mandatory for all residents in the UAE and will factor into your cost of living in Dubai. If you are being sponsored by the company you are working for, they are required to provide health insurance for you. Sometimes the companies offer health insurance for your family as well.

If the company does not offer health insurance for your family or you are on an investor visa, you must purchase it from one of the medical insurance companies in Dubai.

Medical insurance premiums will vary depending on the coverage, with Essential Benefits Plans starting from AED 600 per year. In contrast, an individual’s comprehensive medical coverage can cost around AED 5,500 per year.

For a family of four, a comprehensive plan can cost around AED 15,000 – AED 25,000. However, if you add worldwide coverage and other premium benefits, the cost of medical insurance in Dubai for a family of four can even go as high as AED 70,000 or more.

If you employ a housemaid, you will be required to provide them with medical insurance, typically under the Essential Benefits Plan.

SCHOOLING

If you have children, you need to consider school fees when calculating your cost of living in Dubai with family.

Schools in Dubai offer different curricula, with the British, American, Indian and IB being the most popular. School fees can take up a big portion of your annual budget, especially when you enrol your kids in one of the top schools in Dubai.

British, American and IB schools typically have higher fees and the best schools can cost between AED 4,500 – AED 11,500 per month, depending on your child’s grade.

Meanwhile, the tuition fee of Indian schools in Dubai is more affordable, with top schools such as GEMS Modern Academy costing AED 2,900 – AED 5,500 per month. Remember that your annual as well as the monthly expense in Dubai with school-going kids will also include the cost of uniforms, school transport, notebooks, exam fees, school trips and more.

You can always enrol your kids in one of the cheapest schools in Dubai that offer all of the above curricula.

To better understand the average school fees in Dubai, look at the table below. Fees may vary depending in grades, curriculum and additional expenses.

ENTERTAINMENT

Residents in Dubai will find an abundance of attractions and activities in the city to try, from fine-dining restaurants and IMAX cinemas to extreme sports and famous tourist attractions! And there is never a dull weekend in Dubai.

If you’re planning a move to the city and wondering ‘what is the cost of living in Dubai like’, we recommend budgeting an amount for leisure activities on the weekends.

If you frequently rely on food delivery apps in Dubai, such as UberEats, Talabat and Deliveroo, for your meals, it will add up to your average cost of food.

HOUSE HELP

One of the benefits of living in Dubai is having access to affordable house help, a luxury that many residents enjoy. Expats who choose to employ a housemaid will have to sponsor them and will be required to renew their visa each year. Bear in mind that this will add to your living expenses in Dubai.

All domestic help sponsorships in Dubai must be processed through Tadbeer service centres. Private sponsorship via Tadbeer will cost you an initial AED 11,500, plus an AED 7,500 for annual renewal. Tadbeer sponsorship, on the other hand, will cost you AED 8,500 for a two-year contract with no renewal charges. These costs do not include the monthly salary of the domestic help, which may range from AED 1,500 to AED 5,000, depending on their job responsibilities.

Alternatively, expats can choose to hire a full-time maid through maid service agencies in Dubai, which will also include a one-time agency fee in addition to the maid’s salary.

For those who want part-time house help, several cleaning companies allow you to book maid services for a couple of hours on a one-off or regular basis. These part-time maid services have hourly rates of AED 35 – AED 65, which adds to the average cost to live in Dubai.

You have to look extensively at all these contributors when looking at the cost of living index Dubai.

SO WHAT’S THE AVERAGE COST FOR LIVING IN DUBAI?

Now that we have an idea of what each of the categories of Dubai expenses entails, let’s look at the total cost of living in Dubai for a single person, couples and families.

DUBAI COST OF LIVING BREAKDOWN BY FAMILY SIZE

Here’s a look at expenses in Dubai based on family size.

LIVING EXPENSES IN DUBAI FOR A SINGLE PERSON

Living expenses in Dubai for a single person range from AED 3,900 to AED 7,500.

Now let’s talk about the cost of living in Dubai for a single person with rent. Studios are a popular choice for bachelors in Dubai. Prices for renting a studio in Dubai can vastly differ based on the area. The starting cost of studios for rent in Al Nahda is AED 2,500, while those who want to stay in an upscale location can find studio rentals in Dubai Marina for AED 5,900 per month, starting cost.

The monthly utility bills in Dubai for a single person living in a studio will range between AED 800 – AED 1,200. This includes DEWA, mobile plan and the internet and TV. For groceries, the monthly bills in Dubai can be as low as AED 550.

Expenses that can add up to the cost of living for 1 person in Dubai, include transportation, which starts at AED 350 for a monthly public transportation pass. For singles who opt to get a car, getting a Dubai driving licence will add to their total cost of living in Dubai.Not to mention, fuel prices will also be added to monthly expenses in Dubai for a single person with a personal car.

AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENSE IN DUBAI FOR A COUPLE

The minimum cost of living in Dubai for a newly married couple can be anywhere between AED 5,700 – AED 11,700, depending on their lifestyle.

For housing, 1 BHK rental apartments in Dubai are the most cost-effective solution for a couple, depending on the neighbourhood. As seen above, 1-bedroom rental flats in Al Nahda start at AED 3,500 per month, while rents for 1-bed in Dubai Marina start at AED 9,000 per month.

Couples can expect to budget an amount of AED 1,000 – AED 1,500 for utilities. The cost of essential grocery items for a month averages around AED 1,100 for a couple.

AVERAGE LIVING COST IN DUBAI PER MONTH FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR

When looking at the living cost in Dubai per month for a family of 4, the basic cost ranges between AED 14,800 – AED 23,300.

For housing, villas are a popular choice amongst families in Dubai. The 3 BHK villas for rent in Mirdif cost minimum around AED 10,250 per month, whereas the ones in Arabian Ranches have minimum monthly rental costs of AED 20,166 on average.

To cut down on housing fees in Dubai, families can opt for 2 and 3-bedroom apartments in the more affordable parts of the city. The starting monthly rent for 2 and 3-bed flats in Al Nahda are AED 2,800 per month and AED 4,166, respectively.

Families living in a 3-bedroom villa in Dubai can expect to pay around AED 2,200 – AED 3,700 for basic utilities. This figure will increase if you have a private garden, especially a private pool. For groceries, the monthly bill averages around AED 2,400 for a family of four. Shopping at premium retailers can bring up the monthly cost of groceries in Dubai to around AED 3,000 or more.

As discussed earlier, the cost of school fees will add to the living cost in Dubai per month for a family. School fees in Dubai can average between AED 4,000 – AED 9,500 per month, depending on your child’s grade.

FAQS about Dubai Living Cost Per Month

WHAT SALARY DO YOU NEED TO LIVE IN DUBAI?

This largely depends on your lifestyle, priorities and how you manage your Dubai life costs. A single person can comfortably live in Dubai with a salary of AED 9k to AED 13k. Besides that, living in Dubai on a budget is possible as long as you make conscious pocket-friendly choices. If you are an expat, use free calling app in the UAE to connect with family and friends back home.

Obviously, the cost of living in Dubai for single person is less than family living cost in Dubai so you have to consider this factor.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN DUBAI?

Dubai may be a little more expensive than other cities in the region, however, many studies show that it is cheaper than a lot of major economic hubs like New York, London and others. You can live a lavish and extravagant life in Dubai and also opt for a more modest lifestyle depending on your circ*mstances.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RENT IN DUBAI?

The average rent for housing in Dubai dramatically varies from one area to another. You can find apartments for rent here for as low as AED 15k per annum and as expensive as AED 3M per year. How much you pay as rent largely depends on what area you choose to live in, the property type and the configuration (bed type).

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO INCLUDE IN MY DUBAI COST OF LIVING PER MONTH?

While the basic costs mentioned above are what nearly all residents in Dubai will face, it’s important to note that there will be additional expenses, depending on your lifestyle.

For example, the cost of living in Dubai for Indian families would be different from that of a British family based on the supermarkets they shop from, the schools their kids attend, the areas they live in, the size of their family and their general lifestyle preferences.

Many Dubai expat residents take at least two or three vacations each year to visit their home country or explore new destinations. Parents often choose to enrol their children in holiday camps during school breaks or an after-school activity throughout the year, which also adds to a family’s cost of living in Dubai.

That concludes MyBayut’s guide to the cost of living in Dubai for families, couples and single professionals. We hope this article helps you get an approximate idea of what life in Dubai is like.

The cost of living in Dubai for single person is obviously lower than family living cost in Dubai. So, sometimes people tend to come to Dubai initially alone and then call their families after they have settled. When analysing the cost of living index Dubai, remember to factor in your family size. When calculating how much does it cost to live in Dubai, a significant factor can be house rent and schooling fees. That changes entirely if you are single.

MyBayut also has in-depth guides for people moving here from different parts of the world. For those moving to Dubai from the UK, find out the best areas for British expats to live in, the best schools and more!

If you’re moving to Dubai from India, read about the visa processes and all the Indian amenities and stores in Dubai. We also recommend reading up on our guide to life for Indians in Dubai to learn more about the lifestyle Indians lead here.

Naturally, the answer to the question how much does it cost to live in Dubai is also dependent on the lifestyle and culture you want to follow. So, at the end of the day, you have to plan a way to maximise your resources to live the life you want to live.

Stay tuned to MyBayut for more articles on living in Dubai.