Are you about to move in Dubai? Or, simply capitalizing on lucrative job opportunities? Dubai has long been an expat destination, popular among people from the UK and Hong Kong.
Dubai is known for its luxurious lifestyle, tall buildings, and vibrant culture. Despite its high living expenses in Dubai, people worldwide seek the city’s offerings.
This article will provide an in-depth explanation of the city’s average living expenses. It’s better to have an understanding of the cost of living before heading to Dubai. We will provide the cost of living for singles and families in 2025.
Keep reading to have a better understanding!
Average Cost of Living in Dubai for Singles and Families
Dubai is one of the most luxurious cities in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The city is known for its modern architectural designs, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife.
The city has plenty of things to offer, from iconic landmarks like Burj Khalifa to world-class job infrastructure, and more.
However, if you are planning to move here, you might be thinking what price tag will come alongside a comfortable lifestyle, right? Here, we will break down the living expenses in Dubai to help you plan for your new life here.
1. Housing
Whether you are about to rent or buy a home in Dubai, housing in the city will be your heaviest expense. However, housing prices significantly vary in Dubai depending on the locality you plan to move to, impacting up to 400%.
Suppose you are renting a property in the City Centre, it may annually cost around AED 60,000 to AED 84,000. The amount may be lower in outside City Centre areas.
So, it will be better to explore different areas of Dubai and choose one that perfectly matches your needs and budget.
One thing you should bear in mind is your work location and accessibility to essential amenities. Finding an apartment narby to your workplace significantly reduces your transportation cost, which you can put in your savings.
| Bedrooms | Average Annual Housing Rent (AED) | Average Sales Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom apartment | 145,000 | 2,377,000 |
| 4-bedroom villa | 320,000 | 4,040,000 |
2. Utilities
Utilities are an essential part of your cost of living in Dubai, which includes basic utilities, as well as essentials. So, it is crucial to budget for them when you are about to move to Dubai.
The utility cost will depend on several factors, such as your usage, the size of your accommodation, and more.
Here, we are drafting an average amount that you can expect to pay on utilities, including electricity, home internet, and more.
| Utility | Average Monthly Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Basic utilities (Cooling, heating, electricity) | 840 |
| Home internet | 350 |
| Basic phone plan | 25 |
Here is a look at the prices of some grocery items in Dubai:
| Grocery Items | Price (AED) |
|---|---|
| Water (1.5 ;itre bottle) | 3.50 |
| Milk (1 litre) | 8.40 |
| Loaf of Bread (500g) | 5.46 |
| 6-piece eggs | 7.30 |
| Cheese (1 kg) | 68.3 |
| Apple (1 kg) | 8.50 |
| Potato (1 kg) | 3.97 |
| White Rice (1kg) | 10 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | 6.95 |
3. Healthcare & Insurance
All residents in the UAE must have health insurance. If a company is sponsoring you in Dubai, they must provide you with health insurance.
In most cases, this insurance also covers your family. Otherwise, if you are here in Dubai for any other reason, you will not be offered any health insurance. In that case, you should purchase a health insurance plan from one of the reliable providers in Dubai.
If you are on a job where your income is less than 4,000 AED per month, you can get an EBP plan (Essential benefits plan). An EBP plan will provide the same coverage as the UAE public healthcare.
If you are planning to start a business and you have any domestic worker employees, you must provide them with healthcare insurance benefits.
Here is a look at the average annual health insurance cost:
| Expenses | For Single Family(AED) | Family of four people(AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic health insurance | 600-800 | 18,000 |
| Premium health plan | 10,000 to 15,000 | 70,000 |
| Essential benefits plan | 550-600 | 2,200 – 2,400 |
4. Cost of School Fees
If you are moving to Dubai and you have children, school fees are going to be a serious concern. Have a look at the school fees structure that you should consider in your average living expenses in Dubai.
Public Schools:
There are options to choose from public and private schools in Dubai. The expats have been allowed to attend the public schools in Dubai since 2001. Public schools are free for emirants, while expats are charged a fee.
If you are confused regarding whether you should opt for the public schools in Dubai, you must know that these schools teach exclusively in Dubai. These schools follow the Emirati national curriculum and teach English as a second language.
Private Schools:
The private schools in Dubai implement several international curricula, including British, American, and Indian. Private schools are mostly expensive for the expats; however, they offer international curricula. So, your children can easily transfer between schools in different countries.
Have a look at the average annual school fees:
| Schools | Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Schools | 6,000-20,000 |
| American Schools | 20,000-98,000 |
| British Schools | 25,000-85,000 |
| Indian Schools | 12,000-30,000 |
5. Transport
In Dubai, several public transportation options are available, including buses and metros. You can opt for a monthly pass for the metro in Dubai, which costs around 350 AED, while a single ride on a bus costs between 4 and 8 AED.
Rideshares like Uber are also available in Dubai, but they can be more expensive than other forms of conveyance.
Here is a table below that estimates the average living expenses in Dubai for singles, couples, and families:
Average Monthly Costs:
| Expense Type | Singles | Couples | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| House rent | 4,000-10,000 | 6,000-15,000 | 8,000-20,000 |
| Utilities | 500-1,000 | 700-1,400 | 1,000-2,000 |
| Transport | 300-700 | 800-1,500 | 1,200-2,500 |
| Groceries | 1,000-1,200 | 2,000-2,800 | 3,000-4,000 |
| Education | 2,000-5,000(each child) | ||
| Leisure | 500-1,000 | 1,200-2,000 | 2,000-4,000 |
| Total | 27,000-33,700 | 26,700-22,700 | 17,200-37,500 |
Tips for Managing the Average Living Expense in Dubai
Have a look at the following tips, and hope these will help you to cut down your average living costs in Dubai
- Housing: Consider choosing your housing accommodation near the city’s main business area rather than the city itself.
- Shopping: Consider taking advantage of supermarket discounts, offers, and more.
- Utilities: Be mindful while using electricity, water, and more to save on them.
- Transportation: Consider using public transportation instead of private vehicles.
Conclusion
Dubai is an exciting living destination worldwide because of its high standard of living and abundant opportunities.
Whether you are a single professional or a family person, understanding the living costs of Dubai before moving to it is crucial. A deep insight into living expenses helps you to make an informed decision about where to live and work.
We hope this article provides you with in-depth ideas regarding the average living expenses in Dubai. Perhaps you got an idea of the minimum salary requirement to live in Dubai.
However, the cost of living will depend on how you choose to spend your money, including your lifestyle and family situation.
