Cost of Living in UAE (Dubai) in 2023

10 June 2023 • 7 min read
Jumeirah Park is a fantastic development that provides luxurious living. It is a prominent residential complex in the heart of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is situated between Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road, providing convenient access to key monuments and business hubs. The neighborhood is well-known for its vast, high-quality villas and townhouses nestled among beautifully maintained gardens. Parks, playgrounds, jogging tracks, and a community center with numerous businesses and services are among the attractions available to residents.

Jumeirah Park provides a convenient and luxurious lifestyle in a lively environment and therefore we all know that the cost of living there as well as in other parts of Dubai can not be not “luxurious” sometimes as well. Let’s dive in deeper into this subject and find out more about the prices of living in Dubai in 2023.

Dubai is known throughout the world for its opulent lifestyle, modern infrastructure, and dynamic culture. Its distinctive attractions attract tourists and visitors, while the high level of life quality and security attracts an increasing number of new inhabitants each year. However, before relocating or visiting, it is critical to understand the cost of living in this crowded metropolis.

Accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment, and other expenses all contribute to the cost of living in Dubai. All of them offer characteristics that are unique to Dubai and a large selection of alternatives for you to choose from, giving you lots of flexibility based on your money. This detailed guide will provide you with an idea of the average cost of living in Dubai.

The average price of living in Dubai is $1975, placing it in the top 17% of the world's most expensive cities, ranking 1578th out of 9294 on our global list and first out of 9 in the United Arab Emirates.

The average after-tax earnings is $4429, which covers living expenses for 2.2 months. 174th (TOP 2%) on the list of the finest places to live in the world, and first in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, with a population of 3.33 million people.

Accommodation

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most critical elements, as well as the most significant future expense in your budget. The cost of living can vary greatly based on the area and kind of housing. Dubai has a wide range of housing options, from luxurious villas and penthouses to more economical properties like studio apartments.

A studio apartment is the most affordable type of lodging. A studio's typical annual rent ranges from AED 40,000 in relatively affordable or rural places to AED 85,000 in the city center. Larger flats or villas might be significantly more expensive.

If you want to buy a property in Dubai rather than rent one, off-plan constructions are probably your best bet. The city is continually growing and evolving, with new residential neighborhoods and projects springing up on a daily basis, providing no shortage of options. Off-plan real estate offers significant advantages in terms of pricing, payment arrangements, layouts, and customization options.

Transportation In Dubai

There are several modes of transportation available, each with its own set of fees.

Public transportation. When it comes to public transportation, the Dubai Metro and buses are the most cost-effective options. A monthly metro pass will cost around AED 350, while a one-way bus ticket will cost between AED 4 and AED 8.

Taxis and ride-sharing services are available. Taxis are frequently available, although this mode of transportation may prove to be fairly costly in the long run, as the initial price is around AED 12 with AED 3 each kilometer. Uber and Careem are two popular ride-sharing services.

Food

Dubai is noted for its diversified food scene, which includes alternatives for all budgets. Your daily and monthly food expenses will be determined primarily by the size of your family and whether you like dining out or cooking at home.

Eating out. A lunch at a casual restaurant will cost you around AED 40-80 per person, while a meal at a mid-tier restaurant will cost you between AED 80 and 120, and a meal at a high-tier restaurant would cost you more than AED 500 per person. Fast-food selections may cost between AED 20 and AED 40.

Groceries. The average monthly grocery bill for a single person is roughly AED 1,000, depending on eating habits and preferences. Some commodities, such as fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables, are less expensive in Dubai than in other major cities throughout the world. The following are the average grocery prices:

Water (1.5-liter bottle) – AED 2.10
Bread (500g) – AED 5.45
Eggs (6 pieces) – AED 5.50
Milk (1 liter) – AED 6.63
Bananas (1kg) – AED 6.76
Beef (1kg) – AED 47.45

In Dubai, there is no shortage of hypermarkets and supermarkets. Retail chains such as Spinneys, Carrefour, and Lulu are typically available in each residential community or nearby and offer moderate prices. You can save money by taking advantage of discounts and special deals.

Utilities

Electricity, water, garbage, cooling, and heating are examples of basic housing utilities. Utility costs are determined by a variety of factors, the most important of which is the square footage of your property. The average monthly cost of basic utilities for an 80-square-meter flat, for example, will be around AED 700.

Other needs, such as a phone subscription and home Internet connection, will cost between AED 25 and 310.

Insurance and Healthcare

When calculating the cost of living in Dubai, healthcare and insurance are critical factors to consider. The city delivers high-quality medical treatment, but it's crucial to understand the costs of healthcare and the need of having enough health insurance coverage.

Residents of Dubai are required to have health insurance. If you work for a small business, your employer may cover the cost of your health insurance as well as that of your family members.

However, if you are not provided with health insurance, such as if you are self-employed, a business owner, or whatever the situation may be, you will have to get one on your own. In addition, if you operate a firm with local employees, you must supply them with health insurance as well.

Furthermore, if your monthly income is less than AED 4,000, you are qualified for the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), which covers inpatient and outpatient services, emergencies, maternity care, and other healthcare needs.

The following are the prices of the most popular health insurance plans in Dubai:

Insurance Type                           Single Person (AED/year) Family with 4 Members (AED/year)Basic health insurance             600-800             17,000Comprehensive health plan 5,500                           33,500Premium health plan             10,000-15,000             70,000

Recreation and leisure

Dubai has numerous entertainment and leisure alternatives. You can shop in multiple malls, including the world-famous Dubai Mall, sample various cuisines at cafés and restaurants, visit tourist attractions and theme parks, see a movie, or relax on the beach or in one of the city's many parks. There are numerous venues in Dubai that host music festivals, indoor and outdoor events, sports competitions, and other events.

Some of the possibilities are more expensive than others, but there are many activities you can do alone or with family members. A cinema ticket, for example, costs roughly AED 45.

In terms of recreation, many residential communities include in-house gyms, with monthly memberships costing roughly AED 280. If you enjoy sports, you might want to consider living in Dubai Sports City, a residential complex centered on sports and recreation that includes several sporting facilities and venues. Dubai also has an abundance of spas, fitness centers, pools, and other recreational facilities.

Education In Dubai

Educational institutions range from public and private schools to renowned colleges. However, school fees are pretty pricey, which is a common issue for families with children, therefore it is extremely important to analyze the available options and prospective expenditures in relation to your budget.

Public education. Public schools in Dubai are government-funded and primarily serve UAE natives. Typically, the curriculum is based on UAE Ministry of Education guidelines. While foreign children are permitted to attend public schools, unlike natives, they must pay for their education. Furthermore, Arabic is typically taught in public schools, with English offered as a second language.

Private education. Dubai is home to a number of international schools that follow IB, British, American, or even Indian curricula and are approved by their respective nations and educational agencies. Unsurprisingly, their costs are substantially greater than those charged by public schools, but they provide a broader curriculum, higher quality education, and instruction in multiple languages, the most prevalent of which is English. This is especially beneficial for children of expats and foreigners because it facilitates the process of adjusting to a new cultural setting.

It should be noted that vacancies in private schools are frequently restricted, and admittance might be tough, particularly for well-known institutions. Some schools demand entrance tests or other forms of admission. However, a lot of educational institutions provide special programs for successful students and athletes that provide large tuition savings. Furthermore, school expenditures for children of highly valuable employees are occasionally subsidized by the companies for which they work.

Miscellaneous

Other costs, such as clothing, furniture, personal care, and incidentals, can vary depending on personal preferences and lifestyle. Education expenses for families with children, for example, will include items like school supplies and school trips that must be factored into the family budget and will vary greatly depending on the school type. Those looking to purchase a private vehicle should consider additional costs like as repairs and gas, which is fortunately rather inexpensive.

Average Monthly Living Expenses in Dubai

Naturally, the monthly cost of living in Dubai is the sum of the prices indicated above and can vary greatly based on your lifestyle and family size. Here are the median figures:

Rent             2,500-4,200 5,000-9,000 6,000-12,000
Food             1,000             1,400             2,800
Utilities             1,100             2,300             4,000
Leisure             650-1,500 1,000-1,500 2000-3,000
Transportation 400-1,500 800-1,800 1,500-3,700
Education       -               -             6,000-12,000
Total             5,650-9,300 10,500-16,000 22,300-37,500

Remember that these are averages that can vary depending on personal preferences, locality, and economic fluctuations. They do, however, offer you an idea of what to expect in terms of expenses in Dubai and how much revenue is required to cover them on a daily basis.

Dubai has possibilities for both those on a tight budget and those looking for a more opulent lifestyle. Some necessities may be more expensive in comparison to other cities and countries, while others may be less so, however there are numerous ways to save money if necessary. To ensure a comfortable stay in this vibrant city, it is critical to conduct research and organize your spending accordingly.

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