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Living in Dubai as an expat costs approximately USD $1,975 per month for a single person and about USD $4,546 for a family of four. While these expenses may appear high, they are balanced by Dubai’s competitive average annual salary of around USD $53,148 and the city’s tax-free income policy, allowing residents to save more compared to many global cities.
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For most expats, the main costs in Dubai come from housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. A clear understanding of these expenses, along with options for expat health insurance, can help you create a realistic budget and prevent unexpected costs after relocating. With proper financial planning and the right international health insurance, living comfortably in Dubai is well within reach for both individuals and families.
Cost of Living Overview in Dubai
The average monthly cost of living in Dubai for one person is USD $1,975. The average monthly cost of living for a family in Dubai is USD $4,546.
Expats should know Dubai consistently ranks in the top 13% most expensive cities in the world and is considered the most expensive city in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai is considered 45% less expensive than New York City, 13% less expensive than Toronto, and 33% less expensive than London.
Learn more about each of these comparisons by reading our blog posts about living in Dubai as an American, a Canadian, a UK citizen, and an expat.
| Overall Living Expenses | Individual Cost (USD) | Family of 4 Cost (USD) |
| Average monthly cost of living in Dubai | $2,229 | $5,278 |
In the following sections, we will break down the average monthly living expenses related to housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. All of our monetary values will be in USD and are intended to be price estimates only. This post is not intended to represent exact price values.
You can discover in another post if it is cheaper to live in Dubai or the United States.
Rent and Housing Prices in Dubai
Rent in Dubai for one person costs about USD $1,193 a month on average. Rent in Dubai for a family of 4 costs about USD $2,125 a month on average. Expats can spend both less on rent and more on rent, depending on your budget and lifestyle preferences.
If you’re an expat who is interested in the United Arab Emirates but isn’t completely set on moving to Dubai, consider the other best places to live in the UAE as an expat.
Below is a chart that compares the average Dubai housing expenses for individuals and families.
| Type of Housing Fee | Individual Price (USD) | Family of 4 Price (USD) |
| Monthly Rent with utilities | $1,453 | $2,877 |
| Utilities, electrical, heating, water etc. | $131 | $203 |
| Internet | $92.30 | $92.30 |
This next chart displays the average prices for the following types of apartments in Dubai that expats may choose to live in.
| Type of Housing Accommodations | Average Price (USD) |
| 1-room apartment downtown | $1,742 |
| Cheap 1-room apartment | $1,101 |
| 3-room apartment downtown | $3,504 |
| Cheap 3-room apartment | $2,351 |
You can see a more in-depth look into the average rent in Dubai here.
Grocery and Dining Expenses in Dubai
Individuals and expats living in Dubai spend about USD $455 on average on food expenses each month. Families in Dubai with four people spend about USD $1,178 on food expenses each month. Groceries can be more affordable in Dubai than in other countries, such as compared to the United States.
Food expenses for expats in Dubai will largely depend on the way they choose to spend their money. There are plenty of luxury restaurants for those who want that type of experience.
Dubai Grocery Prices: Average Costs
Below is a chart that displays the average Dubai grocery prices as reported by locals.
| Type of Food | Dubai Price (USD) |
| 1 qt of milk | $1.90 |
| 1.1 lb of bread | $1.50 |
| 2.2 lb of rice | $1.91 |
| 12 eggs | $3.44 |
| 2.2 lb of cheese | $12.80 |
| 2.2 lb of chicken breast | $8.84 |
| 2.2 lb of steak | $11.10 |
| 2.2 lb of apples | $2.21 |
| 2.2 lb of bananas | $1.95 |
| 2.2 lb of oranges | $1.82 |
| 2.2 lb of tomatoes | $1.58 |
| 2.2 lb of potatoes | $1.02 |
| 2.2 lb of onions | $1 |
| 1 qt of water | $0.43 |
| 2 L of Coca-Cola | $2.16 |
| 1 bottle of wine | $17.20 |
| ½ liter of beer | $3.24 |
| 1 cigarette pack | $5.84 |
Eating Out in Dubai: Average Meal Prices
Below is a chart that displays the average Dubai restaurant prices.
| Type of Restaurant Meal | Dubai Price (USD) |
| Lunch | $9.90 |
| Dinner for two | $72 |
| Fast food meal | $9.41 |
| Beer in a pub | $12.10 |
| Cappuccino | $6.06 |
| Pepsi or Coke | $1.23 |
Transportation and Commute Costs in Dubai
Expats in Dubai can expect to spend about USD $190 a month on transportation expenses if they are single and about $485 a month if they are part of a family. A monthly public transportation ticket in Dubai costs about USD $81.90 on average.
Below is a chart that displays the average Dubai transportation prices as reported by locals.
| Type of Transportation | Dubai Price (USD) |
| Local transport ticket | $1.74 |
| Monthly transport ticket | $81.60 |
| Taxi ride for 5 miles | $11.3 |
| ¼ gallon of gas | $0.82 |
Healthcare and Health Insurance Costs in Dubai
A private health insurance plan in Dubai for a 50-year-old expat can cost about USD $363 a month. This private health insurance plan includes inpatient, outpatient, maternity, emergency evacuation, and repatriation coverage with an annual limit of up to USD $2,500,000 with no deductible.
This plan is offered by Salama April Dubai, a subgroup of April International, and can be viewed on Pacific Prime’s insurance quote generator.
You are encouraged to explore similar Dubai insurance quotes and adjust your age and healthcare needs for a more accurate insurance premiums estimate.
Expats wanting to move to Dubai should learn more about the healthcare system in the UAE as well as how they can access healthcare in Dubai. As questions come up, reach out to Pacific Prime to get an insurance expert’s free advice.
Read here to learn what happens if you don’t have medical insurance in Dubai.
Average Salaries and Income in Dubai
The average annual salary in Dubai after tax is USD $53,148, making the average monthly salary after tax in Dubai USD $4,429. There is no income tax in Dubai, which may mean expats are able to save and spend more of their net income than they could in other countries.
In addition to having no income tax, life in Dubai as an expat is attractive because of its low crime rate, luxurious lifestyle, warm climate, and phenomenal healthcare.
Below is a chart that displays the average Dubai salaries.
| Average Salaries after Tax | Dubai Average (USD) |
| Monthly Salary | $4,429 |
| Annual Salary | $53,148 |
Finding Jobs and Employment in Dubai
Expats trying to find a job in Dubai should use online job sites, networking connections, and even consider working remotely for their native country. Expats can also look for English-speaking jobs or jobs that predominantly require them to speak and work in their native language.
If you plan on working in Dubai when you move there, you are not alone. Many expats who live around the globe have found ways to continue employment in a country that isn’t their home country.
After reading this article, we highly recommend you check out our blog post about what to expect when living in Dubai as an expat and our comprehensive guide about moving to Dubai.
We have several blog posts addressing tips and tricks for finding a job in Dubai. Read our articles Finding a job in Dubai as an American, Canadian, and UK Citizen.
FAQs About Living Expenses in Dubai
Is Dubai considered expensive?
Dubai is considered to be among the top 13% more expensive cities in the world. Dubai also ranks as the most expensive city in the United Arab Emirates. That being said, Dubai is considered more affordable than New York City, London, and Toronto.
What transportation options does an expat have in Dubai?
Dubai’s transportation infrastructure is well-developed with ample public transportation options including the Dubai Metro and public buses. Expats can also take taxis and use ride-hailing services such as Uber during their stay in Dubai.
Are there taxes in Dubai?
Dubai does not have personal income tax, meaning you get to keep whatever you make. This is why Dubai is consistently one of the most popular expat destinations in the world.
Conclusion
Expats moving to Dubai may find the cost to live in Dubai either more expensive or more affordable than what they are currently paying.
Because having health insurance is required by law for all residents in Dubai, expats may want to learn where Dubai’s healthcare ranks in the world and whether or not they want to commit to living in Dubai and using their healthcare system (Hint: It’s pretty great!).
Let Pacific Prime support you in finding the right insurance for your needs and budget by reaching out to us. We are primed and ready to help!
Lastly, if you’d like to learn if Dubai is a good place to live or not, read our blog post that talks all about it!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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