Average cost of living in Dubai
Are you planning to move to Dubai from the UK? You must have a complete idea about the cost of living in Dubai. Whether you are moving there with or without family, an average cost of living provides a general estimate of money you must have in mind. It makes the living expenses you must incur pretty clear to enjoy life there.
Prospr wants every expat to have a complete understanding of the average cost of living in Dubai, which is:
- AED 7320/ month for an individual and a family of 4 must-have AED 16,528/month
- GBP 1570/month for an individual and a family of 4 needs GBP 3530/month
- USD 2000/ month for a single person, and a family of 4 must have $4500 per month.
What Is the minimum cost of living in Dubai?
A single person must have AED 6000 as the minimum cost of living in Dubai. This money is essential to enjoy comfortable living in Dubai.
Many factors contribute to this overall cost, so we will explain them all one by one. Continue reading to learn about the average cost of living in Dubai.
Cost of living in Dubai: Housing expenses in Dubai
Once you move to Dubai from the UK, you must find a home to live in. Now, you can share the rent with other roommates if you are an individual. Many buildings offer shared room facilities there.
But when moving with family, you need a proper home, which could be an apartment or house, depending on your budget. You will find tons of options when you explore your housing and accommodation options in Dubai.
Keep in mind that housing prices depend mainly on the community you choose. The rent of a house in a popular community may cost you three times more than in a non-popular community.
Let’s say you plan to rent a studio apartment in Downtown Dubai for around AED 70,000. However, you can get the same kind of studio apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle for around AED 25000 or even less.
Read the guide about where to live in Dubai as an expat
Types of housing |
Monthly Rent (AED) |
Monthly rent (GBP) |
1-bedroom apartment in city center | 8000 | 1445 |
1-bedroom apartment outside city center | 4900 | 900 |
3-bedroom apartment in city center | 15150 | 2700 |
3-bedroom apartment outside center | 10500 | 1800 |
When you select a house in Dubai, you need to remember its proximity to your workspace. You may save on rent, but this saving means nothing when transportation expenses are high. Your savings will be readily offset by these extra expenses.
How much is the average rent in Dubai?
The average rent depends on the type of house you choose and your location.
Usually, a one-bedroom apartment costs around AED 5000. A big family can have a three-bedroom apartment for a monthly rent of AED 10,000.
If you pick some affordable communities, rent prices drop to a great extent.
Learn about: 12 Things you must know before you make your move to Dubai
Cost of living in Dubai: Food cost in Dubai
Another factor that contributes to your overall average cost of living in Dubai is food expenses. A single person typically spends AED 1500 for food. However, families need to spend more, and thus, the cost of living in Dubai will rise to AED 3000 or even more.
It always depends on your lifestyle choices. If you are the kind of person who spends money on luxury restaurants, your cost of living in Dubai will increase.
Don’t forget to read: Why brits are moving to Dubai
However, when you don’t have an active lifestyle and don’t hang out much, the price will be regular. One thing that you will notice after moving to Dubai from the UK is that grocery expenses are lower in the UAE compared to Europe and the UK.
Grocery item |
Price in AED |
Price in GBP |
1 litre of milk | 6.00 | 1.0 |
Loaf of bread 500g | 5.57 | 1.02 |
Eggs one dozen | 14 | 2.57 |
1 kg of apples | 10 | 1.83 |
1 kg of bananas | 7.19 | 1.32 |
1 kg of potatoes | 4.34 | 0.79 |
1 kg of chicken breast | 21 | 3.84 |
1 kg of beef | 35 | 6.50 |
1.5 litre of bottle water | 2.30 | 0.43 |
Domestic beer 0.5L | 13 | 2.38 |
Cost of living in Dubai: Transportation cost
Expats won’t have a driving license soon, so you guys will rely more on public transport. So, another factor that contributes to your overall cost is the transportation expenses.
An individual usually incurs AED 800 per month for transportation, while families may spend more than AED 1700/per month. You can get a monthly transportation ticket for around AED 300 to save on this aspect of your life.
In Dubai, you can take taxis and use applications like Careem and Uber. However, getting a taxi or a ride is a more expensive option than public transport.
Once you have your driving license, you can buy a car in Dubai. On average, a vehicle costs AED 50,000 to AED 100,000.
Transportation type |
Cost in AED |
Cost in GBP |
Dubai metro one way ticket | 4-8 | 0.70-1.44 |
Dubai metro monthly pass | 320 | 58 |
Bus fare one way | 4-8 | 0.70-1.44 |
Taxi starting fare | 12 plus 3/km | 2.16 plus 0.54/km |
Uber/Careem per km | 5-7 | 0.9-1.26 |
Know about: Benefits of moving to Dubai from UK
Cost of living in Dubai: Healthcare cost in Dubai
As you will stay in Dubai, you need to sign up for private health insurance. It’s always a good idea to shop around and find the best insurance deals where you can always enjoy deep discounts.
Every resident in Dubai must have health insurance. UAE residents usually rely on public health insurance, but others can opt for private insurance. If you have a job, your employer will provide basic health insurance coverage.
Must read: Comprehensive guide about moving to Dubai
The average cost of medical insurance for a single person is between AED 3000 and AED 4000 per annum. However, a family needs to spend between AED 8000 and AED 10,000 per annum.
When you purchase private medical insurance, always choose the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) because it offers the same benefits you usually get with public health insurance.
This private insurance usually covers inpatient, outpatient, maternity, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. It’s always a good idea to consult an insurance expert and personalize your plan based on your needs.
Types of insurance |
Cost for 1-personAED |
Cost for 1-personGBP |
Family costAED |
Family costGBP |
Basic | 600-800 | 108-144 | 3000 | 540 |
Comprehensive | 5500 | 990 | 20500 | 3700 |
Utilities cost in Dubai
When planning a budget after moving to Dubai from the UK, add the cost of different utilities in overall Dubai average cost of living. You will have to keep AED 350 for internet, AED 30 for a basic phone plan, and AED 700 for other utilities such as gas, electricity, and water.
Cost of living in Dubai: Educational cost
When you are moving to Dubai with your family, you will be interested in knowing the cost of education because it will change your total living expenses in Dubai. Well, it depends on what school you pick for your kids.
Expats must pay a fee for public schools, which are free to Emiratis. Before you pick a public school for your kids, you must know that public schools teach exclusively in Arabic and teach English as a second language.
When you move from the UK to Dubai, you should pick a private school for your kids. It’s easy to find a school with a British curriculum. You can even find educational institutes with American and Indian curriculums.
Expats must pay AED 4000 to AED 13500 per annum as public school fees. The yearly educational fee for British schools is around AED 18000 to AED 84000.
In addition to school fees, you must pay for school transportation, school supplies, trips, and uniforms.
School type |
Annual fees (AED) |
Annual Fees (GBP) |
Public school | 4000-13500 | 1080-2000 |
British school | 18000-84000 | 5000-13500 |
American school | 25000-80000 | 4500-15000 |
Expected salary in Dubai
Now the question is, can you get enough salary to cover all the expenses in Dubai? Well, it always depends on what kind of job you have in Dubai. Managerial-level jobs pay more than lower-level jobs. The average salary in Dubai is 15000 AED per month and 195200 per year. The Dubai government has introduced favorable rules and regulations for expats. It’s always a good idea to setup a business in Dubai and grow it as a side hustle so you don’t always need to depend on your salaries. If you move to Dubai to teach, you can expect a good salary from private schools.
What is a good salary in Dubai?
If you are just starting your job and career in Dubai, you can avoid luxury and live a basic life with AED 5000. However, if you want to enjoy standard living in Dubai plus some savings in your account, your average monthly income must be between AED 10,000 and 15000.
Prospr can make your move hassle-free
Every expat planning to move to Dubai for work or company setup in Dubai must attend our workshop, which we have designed especially for foreigners. If you are moving from Dubai to the UK, you must have a complete idea about this country. We offer personalized advice and guidance to individuals who plan to move to Dubai alone or with family. Leaving the UK for Dubai is a big move, and you must consult with experts to get a clear idea of whether it’s the right move. Send us all your inquiries to hello@prosprplus.ae