Cost of Living

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Live cost-of-living data for Abu Dhabi — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
38/ 10062% cheaper than New York
0% rent since Jul 2026
$2,675/mo
Median Income
89/100
Safety
0%
Income Tax
hot desert
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
72/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$1,850/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$1,360/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$3,300/month
Food & Groceries
65/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.9/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.4/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.2/kg
Transportation
48/100
Monthly Transit Pass$60/month
One-Way Ticket$2/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.8/km
Utilities
62/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$175/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$55/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$35/month
Healthcare
72/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$95/visit
Dentist Visit$115/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$18/course
Education
68/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$650/month
International Primary School (yearly)$15,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$500/course
Entertainment
62/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$13/ticket
Theater Ticket$45/ticket
Museum Entry$18/ticket
Clothing
65/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$75/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$45/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$105/pair
Personal Care
58/100
Haircut (Men)$25/cut
Haircut (Women)$50/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$6.5/bottle
Dining Out
62/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$16/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$65/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$10/meal
Childcare
65/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$950/month
Babysitter (per hour)$18/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$24/pack
Fitness & Sports
58/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$65/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$25/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$10/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

200 Mbps
Internet Speed
$280
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
70/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Corniche

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Abu Dhabi cheap to live in?

Abu Dhabi has a cost of living index of 38/100, where New York = 100. It is 62% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,360–$1,904 per month.

How much does rent cost in Abu Dhabi?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Abu Dhabi costs approximately $1,850/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $1,360/month.

Is Abu Dhabi good for digital nomads?

Abu Dhabi has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 200 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $280/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Abu Dhabi?

The median net monthly salary in Abu Dhabi is approximately $2,675 USD. The income tax rate is around 0%.

How does Abu Dhabi compare to New York for cost of living?

Abu Dhabi (cost index 38) is 62% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,550/month by moving from New York to Abu Dhabi.

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