MigrantoCost of living in the UAE
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in the UAE
Spending runs from AED 2,970 a month in the poorest fifth to AED 12,600 in the richest
Per person, whole country
AED 6,460
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
AED 2,970richest 20%
AED 12,600
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Key facts
The cost of living in the UAE in numbers
Typical spending takes 45% of the average wage
A typical person spends AED 6,460 a month while the average take-home wage is AED 14,200, so 55% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in the UAE compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in the UAE against other countries
More expensive than 69% of countries
Where UAE sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs AED 3,670 at world-middle prices costs AED 4,800 here.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in the UAE
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Cost of living in the UAE
AED 2,970/mo
vs AED 2,940 in your country
Take-home
AED 5,700
vs AED 4,410 in your country
Potential savings
AED 2,730
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in the UAE?
A typical person in the UAE spends about AED 6,460 a month — around AED 77,500 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in the UAE?
By spending, The UAE ranks #27 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about AED 6,460 a month, the poorest 20% about AED 2,970 and the richest 20% about AED 12,600. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in the UAE in US dollars?
The cost of living in the UAE is about $1,759 a month, or roughly $21,108 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in the UAE?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about AED 2,970 a month per person, a typical one around AED 6,460, and a comfortable life around AED 8,430. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in the UAE enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about AED 6,460 a month, while the average take-home pay in the UAE is about AED 14,200. For more on incomes, see salaries in the UAE.
Is the UAE an expensive country to live in?
Yes. The UAE is more expensive than 86% of countries worldwide and ranks 2nd of 17 in the Middle East by cost of living.
What currency is used in the UAE?
The UAE uses the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in the UAE
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