Cost Of Living In Dubai 2024 | My life experience in Dubai
Living in the United Arab Emirates may be a pleasant experience for those expats who are looking to live in a country with zero income tax. This country, which has a wide range of nationalities, is considered a fierce competitor for the cities of London and New York. Because in recent years, many people have migrated to Dubai instead of migrating to these cities.
I have been living in Dubai for more than 3 months, and during my stay in this city, I gained various experiences related to the cost of living in Dubai for a single person. In the following, I will share all the experiences I have gained with you so that at the end of this article, you will get a sufficient view of this issue.
What is the cost of living in Dubai?
Table of Contents
- What is the cost of living in Dubai?
- The cost of renting a house in Dubai
- Transportation cost in Dubai
- The cost of studying in Dubai
- The cost of utility bills in Dubai
- Cost of food in Dubai
- Cost of insurance and medical care in Dubai
- Cost of living in Dubai vs other parts of the world
- At the end of the line
Living costs include housing rent, electricity and water bills, food, public transportation, education, and medical care.
A detailed examination of the cost of living in Dubai will not be possible; Because the cost of living depends on the lifestyle of each person, and the cost of living in this city can be different for each person. But I have listed below the average costs you have to pay to live in Dubai.
The cost of renting a house in Dubai
Housing rent accounts for a significant part of the cost of living in Dubai. Dubai has different housing types that differ in cost, size, and services. The cost of renting a house in Dubai varies according to the location you choose to live in. If people want to rent a modern apartment in a skyscraper in the city center, they will pay more than in the suburbs.
Some areas of Dubai have become very popular for expats, and many people tend to settle there.
According to the Living In Dubai, if people want to live in the Marina or Jumeirah areas of Dubai, they must pay about 100,000 to 150,000 dirhams to rent a house annually. Also, if they rent a house in Al Qusais or Mirdif areas, they can pay Reduced rent.
The average cost of renting a house in Dubai is as follows:
| Row | Conditions | Cost per month |
| 1 | One-bedroom apartment in the city center | 5500 dirhams |
| 2 | One-bedroom apartment in the suburbs | 3600 dirhams |
| 3 | 3-bedroom apartment in the city center | 10,700 dirhams |
| 4 | 3-bedroom apartment in the suburbs | 7350 dirhams |
Transportation cost in Dubai
Public transportation in Dubai includes buses, taxis, and subways. This city’s metro is one of the most advanced rail systems in the world; unfortunately, it does not cover all areas.
The price of each liter of gasoline is about 2.51 dirhams in dubai. Due to the reasonable fuel price, buying a car in Dubai is very reasonable. Toyota is the most popular car in the UAE, the base model of which costs around AED 80,000.
The cost of transportation in Dubai is as follows, which is cheaper than public transportation in Istanbul:
- One-way public transportation ticket: 1 dirham
- Taxi fare (one course of 1.5 kilometers): 3.5 dirhams
If you don’t use a private car, the monthly transportation cost in Dubai is around 300 dirhams.
The cost of studying in Dubai
Expatriates are allowed to attend public and private schools in the United Arab Emirates, But public schools in Dubai will be free only for citizens of this city.
The average tuition fee of a private kindergarten in Dubai is between 1200 and 4000 dirhams per month and the cost of education for immigrants in public schools is about 6000 dirhams per year.
Also, immigrants can study in the best universities in the UAE. The average university tuition in Dubai is about 55,000 dirhams per year.
The cost of utility bills in Dubai
Utility bills are also included in Dubai’s cost of living, including electricity and water, mobile phone, and internet. Compared to other countries, the costs of these services are higher in Dubai.
The water, electricity, cooling, and heating bills for an 85 square meter house are about 728 dirhams per month, and the cost of internet is about 357 dirhams per month.
Cost of food in Dubai
All food items can be found quickly and at reasonable prices in Dubai, But if a product is among imported goods, you have to pay more for its cost. Also, international shops will charge more.
The cost of eating in Dubai is as follows:
| Row | Product Name | Price |
| 1 | A meal in an average restaurant | 35 dirhams |
| 2 | A McDonald’s sandwich | 28 dirhams |
| 3 | A cup of coffee or cappuccino | 18 dirhams |
| 4 | A can of Coca-Cola | 4.5 dirhams |
| 5 | A bottle of water | 1.7 dirhams |
| 6 | One liter of milk | 8 dirhams |
| 7 | Half a kilo of rice | 3 dirhams |
| 8 | Half a kilo of local cheese | 16 dirhams |
| 9 | Eggs (12 pieces) | 9.5 dirhams |
| 10 | Half a kilo of veal meat | 17.5 dirhams |
| 11 | One kilo of apples | 7 dirhams |
| 12 | One kilo of bananas | 5 dirhams |
| 13 | One kilo of tomatoes | 5 dirhams |
| 14 | five pieces of bread | 5 dirhams |
Cost of insurance and medical care in Dubai
The UAE Health Authority has introduced new rules, according to which all residents, including expatriates, must be covered by health insurance.
Local people can use government insurance, and immigrants should use private insurance. Dubai provides free medical facilities for locals, and expatriates can use their health cards for a 50% discount. Dubai health insurance equals 120 dirhams for ex-pats up to 10 years old and 320 dirhams for ex-pats 18 years old and above.
Cost of living in Dubai vs other parts of the world
To live in Dubai knowing the difference between the cost of living in Dubai and other parts of the world will help you to immigrate to this rich country with more information. For example, the price of 1 liter of gasoline in Dubai is approximately 2.5 dirhams, while in New York, Canada, London, and Hong Kong, it is 5, 6, 8, and 11 dirhams, respectively.
The cost of living in Dubai for single person with rent is about 4000 dirhams, but to live in New York, Canada, London, and Hong Kong, you need 5100 dirhams, 4600 dirhams, 4300 dirhams, and 4100 dirhams, respectively.
At the end of the line
You should pay attention to the fact that if you use a lot of Dubai entertainment, such as Dubai water parks, and buy a lot of dress in Dubi, the cost of living in Dubai will increase, so it is better to prepare before going to Dubai. Plan these things to avoid getting into trouble during your stay in Dubai.
