Hello,
Before moving to United Arab Emirates, it is important to investigate the cost of living in the country.
As we did in 2015, we give you the opportunity to share your experience and tell us more about products and services average recorded prices in your town/city/area.
Don't hesitate to let us know if the cost of living in the United Arab Emirates has decreased or increased in the past few years.
Thanks to your help, would-be expatriates will have the opportunity to refine and better prepare their expatriation project.
> How much does it cost to rent an apartment/house in the United Arab Emirates?
> How much do you pay for your public transport tickets (bus, subway, train, tram)?
> Staple food: what do people eat and how much do they pay for basic food like bread, rice or pasta?
>What is your monthly grocery budget?
> How much does it cost to see a physician/doctor/specialist in the United Arab Emirates ?
> What is your children's schooling monthly budget?
> How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
> How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc.?
> How much do you pay for your Internet/phone subscription?
> How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
> How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
> How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
> How much does a gym membership cost in the United Arab Emirates?
Thank you everyone!
Priscilla
Cost of living in the United Arab Emirates - 2017
I am living alone here in UAE , And will try to answer questions accordingly ,
> How much does it cost to rent an apartment/house in the United Arab Emirates? 45k / Studio
> How much do you pay for your public transport tickets (bus, subway, train, tram)? usually around 20 within city , For return ticket it costs around 50 aed per two way trip
>What is your monthly grocery budget? 1000 aed
> How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc.? 300-400
> How much do you pay for your Internet/phone subscription? 400
> How much do you pay for a cinema ticket? 35 aed
> How much does a gym membership cost in the United Arab Emirates? 150-1000
Thank you Kjrocker, this is very useful information. Will be arriving to Fujairah next week. I guess prices are a bit lower in Fujairah.
Yup , Accommodation in fujaireah is cheap , as low as 50% as compared with Dubai , A quiet place i visit once every few months 
Great, thank you. When in Fujairah, feel free to contact to have a tea Kjrocker.
Ha ha , Thanks and sure i will ping you next time i am there
Hi, I am living in Abu Dhabi but is leaving soon. I found out many interesting things that one should do before leaving, perhaps another forum for this topic.
This is the approximate cost for living during early 2017:
How much does it cost to rent an apartment/house in the United Arab Emirates? In Abu Dhabi, housing is more expensive than Dubai, for a one-bed apartment in Amwaj (unfurnished), it cost AED90,000 excluding utilities charge.
> How much do you pay for your public transport tickets (bus, subway, train, tram)? We drive a car and do not use public transport
> Staple food: what do people eat and how much do they pay for basic food like bread, rice or pasta? Bread, rice or pasta in cafes and restaurants in malls are not cheap, pay between AED30 to AED50 for a plate of fried rice/pasta. Buy bread in the supermarket, it will save you a lot, better still if you cook for yourself.
>What is your monthly grocery budget? AED800 for 2 adults
> How much does it cost to see a physician/doctor/specialist in the United Arab Emirates ? Between AED100 - 300 for the first consultation check without specific treatment or medicine.
> What is your children's schooling monthly budget? Not applicable
> How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank? It used to be AED 80 in 2016 but now it is AED100.
> How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc.? In the apartment where I stayed, basic charge whether or not you use the chilled water (AED40) and gas (AED45). For water and electricity, it was approx. AED50 a month for 2 persons.
> How much do you pay for your Internet/phone subscription? AED500 for a mobile internet package 20GB from etisalat
> How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays? AED30
> How much do you pay for an espresso coffee? Depends where you get the coffee from, ADNOC petrol station and McDonalds have the cheapest (but not necessarily bad coffee) which is less than AED10. The cafes in malls will normally charge between AED12 to AED20.
> How much do you pay for a cinema ticket? AED30 for "economy" and AED40 for "business class". Actually the cinema is not that crowded if you come for the late morning screening, so going for economy is as good as business.
> How much does a gym membership cost in the United Arab Emirates? I dont know about this.
> How much does it cost to rent an apartment/house in the United Arab Emirates?
- Al Ain = 2BHK 45,000 AED/M, Ras Al Khaimah 2BHK = 40,000/M - also depends on Location. Abu Dhabi is almost double in rental prices.
> How much do you pay for your public transport tickets (bus, subway, train, tram)?
- Al ain - 3 AED / per ride - Ras Al Khaimah, No local Transport, Dubai - 25 AED/ Day
Taxi - 1.8 AED /KM
> Staple food: what do people eat and how much do they pay for basic food like bread, rice or pasta?
- Bread 5 AED/ Pack - a Simple Breakfast - 10- 15 AED
>What is your monthly grocery budget?
- Ranges from 3000AED to 5000 AED (Husband + Wife + Toddler)
> How much does it cost to see a physician/doctor/specialist in the United Arab Emirates?
- Depends on Doctore - General physician - 250 AED, Specialist 400-500AED, Next visit i=within week is free.
> What is your children's schooling monthly budget?
- Ranges from 1000 to 2000 AED / Month
> How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
- the Liter price is 2AED almost, so filling up 60L tank - 120 AED, Prices are regulated every month.
> How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc.?
- Varies from state to state - Ranges from 300 to 700 / Per M
> How much do you pay for your Internet/phone subscription?
- 360AED /M
> How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
- Budget Lunch available costs you from 15 AED to 25 AED
> How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
15 AED / M
> How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
35 AED
> How much does a gym membership cost in the United Arab Emirates?
Depends upon Gym - Branded / Known gyms are asking for 3000 - 5000 AED / per year.
Others may range from 1200 to 2000.
[I mention below the starting/lowest rates and details]
Foods
A normal meals start from 5-10AED in Indian/Pakistani small outlets (Available in Commercial City Area and residential areas also) You can buy a Drink from 2-3AED
There are many outlets some major metro stations (Burjuman/Union) for snacks but prices are little hier that above.
Other leading cafeterias/restaurants are also available but prices are little higher.
You can buy any of grocery or cooking items from a Hypermarkets/Mega Super Markets such as Lulu, COOP etc.
Accommodations
Bed spaces/sharing basis for bachelors are available from 450AED per month including all.
A room can be found with all necessaries from 2000AED onwards (There may be some lower places also) Rent paid per month basis.
[Electricity/Water - Commonly Called as 'DEWA' and this include bachelor's spas rates. But for rooms it may be around 300AED**]
[Internet/Wifi this include bachelor's spas rates. But for rooms it may be around 300AED - ISP are Etisalat or Du]
Gas refill - I don't Know yet
Medical
For doctor channeling is about 150 AED and drugs separately. But if you have a Insurance Card, most of common medicals are paid through card(Medical/When you settle here as employment you must take the insurance card) Major surgeries/medicines are little expensive but available anywhere.
Transport
Minimum Taxi Fare is 12.50 AED
For full tank the Car cost about 100AED
Government Transport (RTA) is extremely good condition and most of expat are using this.
RTA includes public Train/Metro and Bus service. You better download Dubai Metro Map to your phone when you come here. Its very easy.
How to use? You have to buy a RTA bus/metroCard from a Bus or Metro Station. Use & top-up it from any place at metro/bus station machine or counters. [You make suer always you have at least 20AED balance which appearing when you punch it at the bus or train entrance or form machine you can check it. Because misuse is subject to Fine of 200AED]
Metro covers all important areas of the Dubai City (Via Red line & Green Line) and one way cost will be only 3-8 AED range. Bus covers the other area and the cost is the same.
There are other type of card call "Day Card" can use any time only for 15AED. But if you stay here and use Public Transport over one day it is advisable to but a permanent card.
Mobile Phone
If you are on visit you can buy a one month or three month valid pre paid Sim and can be converted to postpaid if you need and if you settled here after that period. (Du & Etisalat)
Other
Dubai is a city that you can have anything you need at any price but you have to search for it little bit.
Jobs market is little bit ok now having many opening daily for various positions.
Hope you got some idea it's my pleasure. Good luck and welcome to Dubai/UAE.
If you need any help or information as a fresher I will do my best to support you since I understand how is the feeling when it's the first visit here.
Regards,
PRD (M)
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