Dubai is a lively metropolis that draws people from all over the world because of its many opportunities, world-class lifestyle, and secure environment. It’s a popular neighbourhood for single professionals, couples, and families. However, before moving to Dubai, residents must first determine the cost of living in the city. Fortunately, Dubai offers citizens the option of living a cheap or luxury lifestyle. Today’s topic is the basic cost of living in Dubai, which includes accommodation, services food, schools, and more!
With this simple guide, you can find out how much life in Dubai costs for a couple, one person, or a family of four.
Types of expenses in Dubai
Whether you want to live in a villa or an apartment in Dubai, you must first evaluate the costs of living in Dubai. To answer the question, how much does it cost to live in Dubai, we divided the median yearly cost of living into eight categories.
- Housing
- Groceries
- Utilities
- Fuel and transportation
- Healthcare
- Schooling
- Entertainment
- Household Support
Housing, groceries, and utilities are direct monthly expenses for living in Dubai that account for some of your Dubai life cost. Secondary costs include transportation, education, entertainment, and healthcare.
Before delving into each area of Dubai spending, keep in mind that these costs could differ greatly based on your own tastes and lifestyle choices.
Housing
One of the most important factors to consider when calculating the average Dubai living cost per month is housing. The Dubai property market is well-known for its breadth. Everything from large homes to small studio flats is available in a variety of costs.
The area you choose to reside in will have an important impact on how much of your income goes towards rent and, of course, your monthly cost of living in Dubai. While established areas like Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah, and Al Barsha have higher rental costs, outlying areas such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Arjan, Reem, and Mirdif can help you save money on rent. Affordable options for housing are also available in Dubai’s older regions, such as Al Nahda and Deira.
Groceries
Groceries are another important factor to consider when calculating the cost of living in Dubai. Many grocery businesses in Dubai carry food from all over the world. Your lifestyle and dietary habits can have an important effect on your monthly shopping spending.
If you prefer to shop at luxury traders such as Waitrose and Spinneys, or if you buy imported products or pricey meat cuts, you could anticipate a large grocery expenditure. A 1 kilogramme Australian Angus Ribeye Steak, for example, costs approximately AED 200, and this price may vary depending on where you purchase.
It is feasible, however, to keep your grocery spend low by shopping at low-cost supermarkets such as Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, or Union Cooperative.
Utilities
The cost of utilities in Dubai will include your water and electricity connections (supplied by DEWA), TV and internet package, and cell phone plans.
Your average monthly DEWA bill will probably change between summer and winter because A/C use is higher in the summer. Furthermore, if you rent a villa with a private pool and yard, you could expect the costs to rise even more.
Residents in Dubai can choose from a variety of TV and internet packages provided by Etisalat and du. Residents can get an internet download speed of 250 Mbps, unlimited data, and Cable/ADSL for approximately AED 389 monthly (with the exception of VAT) with an average a subscription.
Meanwhile, premium subscriptions with internet speeds of 500 Mbps or higher, plus premium sports and entertainment channels, would run you at least AED 454 (excluding VAT) a month. Etisalat and du also offer limited-time deals for reduced internet and TV packages. As a result, keep an eye out for it.
Prices for postpaid cell plans in Dubai start at AED 125 per month and may go up to AED 1,000 per month for bigger data packages and more calling minutes. Of course, there is always the option of using prepaid cell plans, which provide more financial freedom.
Transportation
The cost of living in Dubai will include transportation costs. Whether you take train or bus or drive, your monthly costs will be contingent on how often and for how long of your journey.
The price of petrol in the UAE is cheaper than in many other parts of the world. However, the type of car you drive and the distance you go will have a bearing on your fuel prices. You should also consider the price of car insurance and repair, which can differ based on the type of car.
You can also get a monthly Nol pass for AED 350, which allows residents to travel about quickly. Living closer to the job is another method to save travel time and costs.
Healthcare
Health or medical insurance is a must for all UAE citizens and will be included into your cost of living in Dubai. If you are sponsored by your employer, they are bound to provide you with health insurance. Companies can also offer health insurance for your family.
If your firm does not provide health insurance for your family or you are on an investor visa, you have to get it from one of Dubai’s medical insurance providers.
Premiums for medical insurance will vary based on the coverage, with Essential Benefits Plans starting at AED 600 per year. Persons’ complete medical coverage, on the other hand, could cost roughly AED 5,500 per year.
A complete plan for a family of four can range between AED 15,000 and AED 25,000. When you involve in international coverage and other premium perks, the cost of medical insurance in Dubai for a family of four can reach AED 70,000 or higher.
If you hire a maid, you must provide them with health coverage, typically via the Essential Benefits Plan.
Schooling
If you have children, you have to include school costs in the cost of living in Dubai with family.
Curricula in Dubai vary, with the most popular being the British, American, Indian, and IB. School fees could take up an important chunk of your annual budget, especially if your kids attend one of Dubai’s best schools.
The top schools might cost between AED 4,500 and AED 11,500 per month, depending on your child’s grade.
Meanwhile, tuition at Indian institutions in Dubai is more affordable, with leading schools like GEMS Modern Academy charging between AED 2,900 and AED 5,500 per month. Remember that your yearly and monthly expenses in Dubai with kids in school will include the cost of uniforms, school buses, notebooks, exam fees, school trips and other expenses.
You may always register your kids in one of the many cheap schools in Dubai that provide all of the previously mentioned curriculum.
Look at the table below to have a better understanding of the typical school fees in Dubai. Fees may vary depending on grade level, curriculum, and other expenses.
Entertainment
Dubai residents will discover a plethora of attractions and activities to try in the city, ranging from gourmet eateries and IMAX cinemas to extreme sports and popular tourist locations! In Dubai, there is never a dull weekend.
If you’re thinking about moving to Dubai and requesting ‘what is the cost of living in Dubai like,’ we suggest saving for weekend leisure activities.
If you often use food delivery apps in Dubai, such as UberEats, Talabat, and Deliveroo, the cost of your meals is going to go up.
House help
One of the advantages of living in Dubai is having access to economical house help, which many people make use of. Expats who opt to hire a housemaid must sponsor them and renew their visa every year. Remember that this will increase your living spending in Dubai.
Domestic aid sponsorships must be processed through Tadbeer service facilities in Dubai. Private sponsorships with Tadbeer will cost you the first AED 11,500, plus an annual renewal fee of AED 7,500. Tadbeer sponsorship, on the other hand, will set you back AED 8,500 for a period of two years with no renewal fees. These costs do not include the domestic help’s monthly reimbursement, which may vary from AED 1,500 to AED 5,000 depending on their work duties.
Expats can also employ a full-time maid through maid service businesses in Dubai, which would include a one-time agency charge in addition to the maid’s income.
For people looking for part-time housekeeping, different cleaning organisations provide maid services for a few of hours on a one-time or regular basis. The hourly demands for these part-time maid services range from AED 35 to AED 65, which adds to the typical cost of living in Dubai.
When looking at the Dubai cost of living index, you have to consider all of these elements carefully.
