Dubai Cost of Living: A Cost Overview

Dubai is rightly one of the most popular emigration destinations for Germans and also attracts thousands of expats. But what does living in Dubai actually cost? You can find out in the following blog post.

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Table of contents

The most important things in brief
General information about the United Arab Emirates
economy
How much does living in Dubai cost me?
Rental price development in Dubai
Electricity, water and gas costs
Supermarkets and food prices
Internet and mobile
public transportation
Leisure costs in Dubai
Restaurant and café visits
Shopping and entertainment
Sports and fitness offers
Education and health
conclusion
FAQ
How much money do I need per month to live in Dubai? General information about the United Arab Emirates
economy
How much does living in Dubai cost me?
Rental price development in Dubai
Electricity, water and gas costs
Supermarkets and food prices

The most important things in brief

• Rental prices in Dubai vary widely and depend on the type of apartment in question and the chosen location. It is also expected that rental prices will increase by an average of 3 to 5% over the course of 2024.
• When renting, you should also note that the stated rental prices are usually the cold rent. Electricity, water and gas are not included.
• Due to the high temperatures, air conditioning systems are in high demand, but they consume a lot of energy. In addition to rent, energy costs are therefore among the highest monthly expenses.
• Food prices are subject to less severe fluctuations, yet they are slightly above the German price level. Internet and mobile phone costs are also slightly more expensive than in Germany.
• However, how much money you actually spend per month depends on your personal lifestyle.

General information about the United Arab Emirates

The UAE consists of a total of 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi (capital), Dubai, Shrjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Each of these emirates is either assigned to the domain of an emir or is an independent state.

Good to know: An emir translates as prince or ruler who has authority over a dominion (an Emirate). A caliph, in turn, is a ruler of an independent Islamic state.

economy

Economic life in the UAE and especially in Dubai is undoubtedly characterized by a very particular dynamism. Dubai, for example, is one of the most important trade and financial centers in the world and has a very special appeal, particularly for international founders and entrepreneurs.

Because Dubai offers a wide range of economic opportunities across a wide range of industries. These include construction, retail, the real estate sector and tourism.

Dubai owes its economic growth to the government, which has supported the Emirate with subsidies and investments.

For example, the government began to diversify the economy early on in order to make Dubai more attractive for international investors. In addition, small and medium-sized companies in particular are being promoted in order to further boost the economy.

In addition, Dubai's economy benefits from booming tourism, as thousands of people come to the Emirate every year. As a result, the government has also invested in the tourism sector to finance the construction of theme parks, luxury hotels and shopping centers.

Good to know: The Emirate of Dubai was able to record massive economic growth until around 2008. However, this development changed as a result of the financial crisis. As a result, the construction boom slowed down and the exhaustion of oil reserves also led to tensions. This is why Dubai has always focused on tourism.

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How much does living in Dubai cost me?

The first question that is likely to come to mind in connection with the cost of living in Dubai is the rental price.

However, there is no general answer to this question, as rental prices vary significantly depending on the size and location of the apartment. It is also expected that rental prices will rise by around 3 to 5% this year compared to the previous year.

Still, it's fair to say that if you decide to emigrate to the UAE, your rent for an apartment, house or gated residence will most likely make up a large part of your monthly expenses.

The following list should therefore give you a rough overview of what costs you can expect if you buy an apartment with 1 to 3 rooms:

• Studio apartment: 50,000 - 60,000 AED a year
• 1 bedroom apartment: 70,000 - 90,000 AED a year
• 2 bedroom apartment: 90,000 - 120,000 AED per year
• 3 bedroom apartment: 120,000 - 200,000 AED per year

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Rental price development in Dubai

In Dubai, significant fluctuations in rental prices have been observed in recent years. The government has therefore taken action to restore the balance between supply and demand.

For example, new residential construction projects and the availability of several workers have helped to stabilize rental prices. In addition, the tourism sector has also had a strong influence on the development of rental prices.

Because it is increasingly the case that tourists opt for a rented apartment instead of a hotel for the duration of their stay. This also led to an increase in demand for apartments and therefore also in rental prices.

Electricity, water and gas costs

We have already explained to you the rental costs that you will incur when buying an apartment. However, given the prices just mentioned, you should note that this is the cold rent. Electricity, water and gas costs are not yet included.

These are generally more expensive than in Germany. This is due to the fact that temperatures in Dubai are many times warmer than in Europe and air conditioning systems are therefore increasingly being used, which leads to higher energy consumption.

As far as heating costs are concerned, however, you won't have to pay much as Dubai has central heating and air conditioning.

The competent authority that you must contact regarding these issues is DEWA.

Good to know: It may happen that the costs for air conditioning systems are already included in the rental costs. Therefore, keep an eye out for the Chiller-Free description when advertising apartments.

Supermarkets and food prices

When it comes to groceries, Dubai is already rather constant compared to rental prices. As in Germany, there are countless supermarkets where you can meet your daily needs. Here's how you pay for basic groceries on average:

1 kg chicken: 25 AED/ 6,52€

500 g bread: 5 AED/ 1,25€

1 liter of milk: 5 AED/ 1,25€

1 kg rice: 10 AED/ 2,50€

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Vegetables and other animal products are also available at good prices. However, the best price-performance ratio can be found at Dubai discounters GALA and VIVA, which are comparable to the German supermarket chains LIDL and ALDI.

There are also local food markets where you can buy regional or seasonal products. On average, however, food prices are slightly higher than in Germany.

Good to know: There are also some fish markets in Dubai, where it is also common to haggle, so that good negotiation skills can save you some money.

Internet and mobile

Compared to Germany, you have to dig deeper into your wallet for your Internet access and mobile phone. Because on average, you pay up to 500 AED a month for an Internet and telecommunications contract.

These services are offered by DU or Etisalat. However, to counteract these costs, you can use the free WiFi in public places such as cafés.

public transportation

Dubai's public transport network is not particularly well developed. While there are trams, buses and a metro, most people use cars or taxis to get from A to B.

If you still want to use public transport, a single trip costs between 2 and 5 AED, and a monthly subscription starts at around 150 AED. Of course, you are also welcome to go by bike.

Leisure costs in Dubai

Dubai is a city full of unlimited options and offers a wide variety of activities to suit all tastes and budgets:

Restaurant and café visits

The catering industry in Dubai is very diverse, as many international cuisines are represented in the Emirate in the form of restaurants and cafés. Therefore, the prices for a meal can also vary significantly.

However, you can get a good meal for around 200 AED. However, if you opt for more sophisticated cuisine, your dinner can easily cost 1000 AED or more.

If you're not really hungry, there are also plenty of cafés in Dubai that you can visit. A cup of coffee or tea costs between 18 and 30 AED. The same goes for small snacks.

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Shopping and entertainment

Dubai is home to countless shopping malls and is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. In addition, Dubai is home to the largest shopping center in the world - the Dubai Mall. Here you will find all well-known designers and European brands are also represented here.

However, you should be aware that prices can be up to 30% above the German average. As a result, it can quickly happen that you spend more money than originally planned.

When it comes to entertainment, there are at least as many options in Dubai. One example of this is Dubai Parks and Resorts.

These consist of 4 theme parks that have something to offer for every age group. Admission prices vary depending on the park and ticket type, but you can include between 300 and 500 AED per person.

Sports and fitness offers

Dubai is known for its luxurious yet proactive lifestyle. There are countless fitness facilities where you can do something good for your body. The prices range between 250 and 1000 AED per month. In addition, almost every residential building in Dubai has a fitness room which residents can use free of charge.

But gyms aren't the only way to exercise in Dubai. Water sports are also very popular in the Emirate.

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For example, you can book a diving or surfing lesson, which costs around 200 to 500 AED. If, on the other hand, you don't want to spend a lot of money on sports facilities, the Kite Beach section is ideal. There is an 8.2 km long jogging track here where you can work off energy.

Education and health

In education, your spending can add up quickly. Because there are a number of excellent international schools, which, however, come with high school fees. This allows you to factor in between AED 30,000 and 80,000 per year for your child's education alone.

Dubai also has a world-class healthcare system. This is demonstrated solely by the numerous ultra-modern medical facilities and private clinics specializing in various specialist areas. However, you should be aware that the costs of good medical care in Dubai can be very high. Especially for you as an immigrant.

Because in most cases, you do not receive the same subsidies and benefits as locals. We therefore recommend that you take out private insurance so that you receive comprehensive care in the event of illness and do not incur unexpected costs.

conclusion

Dubai is one of the cities with the highest cost of living in the world, although these costs can vary significantly depending on where you live and your individual standard of living. In particular, rents in popular areas such as Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina have risen significantly in recent years. Spending on food and entertainment can also be significant.

So that you can make ends meet financially in Dubai, we recommend that you prepare a well-thought-out budget plan for each month. A first step could be, for example, to get an overview of your own income and expenditure and identify potential savings. You can also reduce your monthly expenses if you opt for an inexpensive residential area or make savings on leisure activities, for example.

FAQ

How much money do I need per month to live in Dubai?

It depends entirely on your personal lifestyle, which is why it is difficult to give a general answer to this question. In general, however, it can be said that you should earn at least 6,000 to 8,000€ net per month as an individual in order to make ends meet.

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