Dubai is known for being an incredible city to build wealth, due to its tax-free income laws. However, it is also an expensive city, and before moving, you will want to understand what your monthly expenses may look like. Expenses can depend a lot on your lifestyle choices - for example, living in a "luxury" 1-Bedroom apartment can be 3 to 5 times the price of a modest apartment.
If you already have an idea of how much you will earn, you can use the calculator below to understand how much disposable income you will have left after your core expenses. If you don't yet know your income, you can still use the calculator to get an idea of how much you need to earn to move to Dubai comfortably.
Skip to the Cost of Living Calculator to estimate your expenses now.
By far your biggest expense in Dubai will be House Renting, so it's important to understand how you can manage this appropriately, as there are some tricks you can use to ensure your monthly bill is not sky-high. For example, renting an unfurnished flat vs a furnished fully serviced one - prices vary quite a lot based on what's included.
Renting a room can cost as little as AED 3,000, while renting a house with multiple bedrooms can set you back over AED 14,000 per month, this particular expense really depends on your taste. However, it’s important to be aware of all the other costs involved in renting a place to live in. Most Expats are unaware of things like the Ejari Fee, DEWA costs, the Agent fee and more!
If you want to learn more about the housing Fees, Sign up to try our FREE Housing Fees Calculator.
Your lifestyle will be what impacts your costs of living the most, but there are some essential costs that everyone must take into consideration:
Transportation: Taking public transportation options such as the bus or the metro will only costs you between AED 3 to AED 5 per ride, which by all standards, is very affordable. Most people in Dubai, however, choose to either lease or purchase a car, due to the low cost of petrol. Getting a car, although it’s the most flexible option, incurs having extra costs such as insurance, repairs and maintenance and even tolls.
Groceries: Dubai has a range of different supermarkets, with the most famous ones being Carrefour and Lulu Hypermarket - where you can find a lot of affordable options across every product category. You will then also have access to more high end grocery shops which are pricier and offer a more “premium” range of products, typically imported. Overall, the cost of groceries will vary based on your personal preferences and how you decide to budget.
PRO TIP: Hypermarkets normally have deals where it’s much more affordable to buy things in bulk or in packs of 2, 3 or 4.
Healthcare: With your employment and Emirates ID, you will have access to health insurance, which can cost as little as AED 900 for basic plans, and around AED 5,000 per year for more comprehensive plans - Although this may be covered by your employer. Either way, you should always allocate some of you salary to healthcare expenses as insurances in Dubai operate under a Co-pay method under which, even while insured, you have to pay a % of your medical bill.
