Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Are you considering a move to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and wondering about the cost of living? Abu Dhabi is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Abu Dhabi and help you understand whether $3097 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $3624.41.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

13.62 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

81.69 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

9.26 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

12.68 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

12.25 $

Cappuccino (regular)

5.62 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

1.18 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.41 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.99 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.34 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.95 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.83 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

9.02 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

7.3 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

11.31 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.25 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.78 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.84 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.47 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.09 $

Onion (1 lb)

0.93 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.43 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.56 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

14.98 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.29 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.74 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

5.99 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.54 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

21.78 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

3.27 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.53 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

8.17 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

0.92 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

29953.16 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

21217.39 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

198.07 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

113.44 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

77.58 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

39.56 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

13.62 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

757.91 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

10663.64 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

79.35 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

64.03 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

107.54 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

114.68 $

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Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

1542.56 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

1200.16 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

3276.29 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

2255.17 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

4698.11 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

4418.14 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

3624.41 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

5.73 %

Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Abu Dhabi?

The monthly expenses for living in Abu Dhabi come to a total of approximately $3097. This includes an average monthly rent of around $1542 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $254 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $566 per month.

How affordable is living in Abu Dhabi?

Living in Abu Dhabi appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $3624.41. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Abu Dhabi, you would likely need an income exceeding $3624.41.

What is the average salary in Abu Dhabi?

In Abu Dhabi, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $3624.41, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Abu Dhabi?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Abu Dhabi is approximately $1542. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $1200.16 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Abu Dhabi?

The expense for groceries in Abu Dhabi can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $432 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in United Arab Emirates?

The cost of living in United Arab Emirates can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

How Safe Is Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Since this country is known to be rich and prosperous, there are almost no scams in this territory.

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Abu Dhabi is a very safe city to travel to. Many say that it is among the safest cities in the world, and it is also highly ranked 12th on the ranking of the safest and most dangerous countries. Overall, safety should not be an issue if you plan on traveling to this city.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

There is some risk of an accident happening while you are on the road. Driving off-road is not recommended since it can lead to dangerous accidents. Be sure that your vehicle is well-equipped and that you have enough water with you.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Even though pick-pocketing is expected to be rare since there are many foreign residents in Abu Dhabi, it still does happen since there is such a massive influx of tourists annually. It is recommended that you pay attention to your surroundings at all times.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Among the natural disasters threatening Abu Dhabi are very high temperatures, reaching higher than 50C. Sand storms are also a common occurrence in this country, as well as thunderstorms. If you wish to acquire some more information on natural disasters, visit the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

As mentioned above, UAE is a country where the biggest part of the population is made of foreigners, so occurrences such as mugging and kidnapping are fairly low. Foreigners avoid crime as such because it would immediately lead to them being deported.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Terrorists are still issuing statements threatening to attack the Gulf region. These attacks could be carried out on military, oil, transportation and aviation interests as well as crowded places such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centers, and mosques. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Female travelers are faced with the same amount of risk as they do when traveling to European cities, Canada, the USA or Australia. Take normal precaution measures and avoid going too dark areas and walking down the streets late at night.

Useful Information & Tips
flight_takeoff

Airports

The most prominent airport in the entire country of United Arab Emirates as well as in Abu Dhabi is the Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is located around 30.6 km east of Abu Dhabi city. It is the second-largest airport in the UAE.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Abu Dhabi, since it covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

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Visas

Visa is not required for any stays shorter than 30 days. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the day of your return. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

Dirham is the official currency in Abu Dhabi. Dirhams have a constant exchange rate, in which 3.67 = 1 USD. This is the only currency that never fluctuates and is constant.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

With extremely high temperatures that go as far up as 50C, the United Arab Emirates is infamous for its very hot spells. The hottest months are from June to September, so if you're planning your trip during those months, be sure to avoid direct long-term sun exposure and drink a lot of fluids.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

What about weather in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 73°F 75°F 81°F 89°F 97°F 100°F 103°F 103°F 99°F 93°F 85°F 77°F
Temp 67°F 69°F 73°F 80°F 88°F 91°F 94°F 94°F 91°F 85°F 78°F 71°F
Low 61°F 62°F 66°F 73°F 79°F 83°F 87°F 88°F 84°F 78°F 71°F 64°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 22°C 23°C 27°C 31°C 36°C 37°C 39°C 39°C 37°C 33°C 29°C 25°C
Temp 19°C 20°C 22°C 26°C 31°C 32°C 34°C 34°C 32°C 29°C 25°C 21°C
Low 16°C 16°C 18°C 22°C 26°C 28°C 30°C 31°C 28°C 25°C 21°C 17°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in United Arab Emirates with Abu Dhabi

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries