Cost of Living

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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

CheapestNew York = 100
35/ 10065% cheaper than New York
+68% rent since Jul 2026
$3,675/mo
Median Income
84/100
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)$2,443/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$1,300/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$4,514/month
Food & Groceries
60/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.56/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.3/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$1.86/kg
Transportation
48/100
Monthly Transit Pass$28/month
One-Way Ticket (Metro)$1.08/trip
Taxi (1 km)$0.59/km
Utilities
52/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$165/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$54/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$32/month
Healthcare
70/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$110/visit
Dentist Visit$125/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$18/course
Education
75/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$1,200/month
International Primary School (yearly)$18,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$650/course
Entertainment
65/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$16/ticket
Theater Ticket$65/ticket
Museum Entry$18/ticket
Clothing
70/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$85/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$55/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$120/pair
Personal Care
55/100
Haircut (Men)$35/cut
Haircut (Women)$70/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$8/bottle
Dining Out
62/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$22/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$65/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$9.46/meal
Childcare
70/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,800/month
Babysitter (per hour)$22/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$28/pack
Fitness & Sports
65/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$75/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$35/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

127 Mbps
Internet Speed
$350
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
large
Nomad Community
68/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dubai cheap to live in?

Dubai has a cost of living index of 35/100, where New York = 100. It is 65% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,240–$1,736 per month.

How much does rent cost in Dubai?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Dubai costs approximately $2,443/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $1,300/month.

Is Dubai good for digital nomads?

Dubai has a large digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 127 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $350/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Dubai?

The median net monthly salary in Dubai is approximately $3,675 USD. The income tax rate is around 0%.

How does Dubai compare to New York for cost of living?

Dubai (cost index 35) is 65% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,625/month by moving from New York to Dubai.

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