Dubai is a dream city for some people, whether you want to set up your business or are looking for a job in the fantastic city of the future. The city attracts entrepreneurs, professionals, and families from all around the world just for its tax-free environment and world-class infrastructure. So, we thought it would be fun to point out the basic cost of living in Dubai, which will suit everyone. So without any further ado, let’s focus on what it’s really like living in Dubai.
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Housing is the Biggest Expense
Believe it or not, but Housing remains the largest component of the cost of living in Dubai, accounting for about 30% of monthly expenses for most residents. Here’s a complete chart of different housing approximate pricing in Dubai.
| Property Type | Neighborhood | 2024 Rent (AED/Year) | 2025 Rent (AED/Year) | 2024 Sale Price (AED) | 2025 Sale Price (AED) |
| Studio Apartment | Downtown Dubai | 75,000–85,000 | 82,500–93,500 | 800,000–1,000,000 | 840,000–1,050,000 |
| Studio Apartment | Jumeirah Village Circle | 45,000–55,000 | 49,500–60,500 | 400,000–600,000 | 420,000–630,000 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | Dubai Marina | 90,000–110,000 | 100,800–123,200 | 1,200,000–1,500,000 | 1,260,000–1,575,000 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | Jumeirah Lake Towers | 70,000–90,000 | 77,000–99,000 | 900,000–1,100,000 | 945,000–1,155,000 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | Business Bay | 110,000–150,000 | 123,200–168,000 | 1,800,000–2,200,000 | 1,890,000–2,310,000 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | Dubai Silicon Oasis | 80,000–115,000 | 88,000–126,500 | 1,000,000–1,400,000 | 1,050,000–1,470,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | Downtown Dubai | 180,000–230,000 | 198,000–253,000 | 2,500,000–3,500,000 | 2,625,000–3,675,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | Al Barsha | 120,000–160,000 | 132,000–176,000 | 1,600,000–2,000,000 | 1,680,000–2,100,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Villa | Arabian Ranches | 250,000–350,000 | 270,000–378,000 | 3,000,000–4,500,000 | 3,150,000–4,725,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Villa | DAMAC Hills 2 | 130,000–180,000 | 140,400–194,400 | 1,800,000–2,500,000 | 1,890,000–2,625,000 |
| 4-Bedroom Villa | Palm Jumeirah | 500,000–800,000 | 540,000–864,000 | 10,000,000–20,000,000 | 10,500,000–21,000,000 |
| 4-Bedroom Villa | Dubai Hills Estate | 300,000–450,000 | 324,000–486,000 | 5,000,000–7,000,000 | 5,250,000–7,350,000 |
Sources: Property Monitor (June 2025), Numbeo (November 2024), ValuStrat Real Estate Outlook (March 2025), Dubai Land Department (2024)
A bit of advice, for business owners, living near key business districts like Sheikh Zayed Road can reduce commuting costs; however this comes at a premium housing cost. In addition, choosing areas like Al Barsha or Dubai Silicon Oasis can save up to 40% on rent compared to Downtown.
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Food and Groceries
So, we can be a little honest here, Food expenses depend heavily on your preferences. If you’re vegan, the pricing will skyrocket, but if you’re flexible, then I guess you can manage your food expenses really well. You can shop at budget-friendly supermarkets like Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, etc.
| Diet Type | Grocery Cost (AED/month) | Typical Daily Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | 800 – 1,200 | More plant-based items, speciality foods—estimated 250–400 AED/week → ~1,000–1,600 AED/month |
| Non‑Vegetarian | 1,200 – 2,000 | Includes meat & seafood—single-person grocery bills ~500–600 AED/month at basic quality, up to 700–1,500 AED for higher quality |
| Vegan | 2,000 – 2,600 | More plant-based items, speciality foods. Estimated 350–500 AED/week → ~2,000–2,600 AED/month |
Locally grown vegetables and rice are reasonably priced (e.g., 1 kg of rice costs AED 10), but imported goods are on the expensive side. Try cooking at home for a change.
Transportation Cost
Hm… this is interesting, as we all know that transportation in Dubai is quite affordable. Dubai also has an efficient public transport system. There is the Dubai Metro, public buses, and trams that offer fares from AED 3–15 per trip. Petrol is also quite cheap: AED 3.20 per litre.
| Mode | Cost (AED/month) | Inclusions & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Transport | 300–500 AED | Includes unlimited Nol card pass for Metro, Tram, Bus. – Standard monthly pass ~300 AED (regular zones). – If combining metro + bus + tram extensively, expect ~400–500 AED. |
| Economy Car | 1,800–2,500 AED | – Fuel for ~1,000–1,500 km/month: ~300–500 AED – Salik tolls: ~100 AED – Parking: 200–400 AED – Insurance: ~300–500 AED/month – Monthly car loan/lease: ~1,000–1,200 AED (Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sunny, etc.) |
| Luxury Car | 4,500–7,500 AED | – Fuel for ~1,500–2,000 km/month: ~500–700 AED – Salik tolls: ~200 AED – Parking: 400–600 AED – Insurance: ~700–1,200 AED/month – Monthly car loan/lease: ~3,000–5,000 AED (BMW, Range Rover, Mercedes) |
| Taxis / Ride-hailing | 1,500–4,500 AED | – Occasional Uber/Careem: ~1,500–2,000 AED/month – Daily work commute (return trips): ~3,000–4,500 AED/month (depends on distance) |
Source: (RTA Dubai, Numbeo Dubai Transport Data, Gulf News Transport Costs)
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Healthcare is Mandatory
As of January 1, 2025, health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents, including individuals on various visa programs. Here is a complete medical expense chart of citizens in the UAE.
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (AED) | Annual Cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance Premium | 500–800 AED | 6,000–9,600 AED | Mandatory. Basic Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) for expats starts ~6000/year. Better plans with wider coverage ~9,000/year. |
| GP Visit (2–3 times/year) | ~50 AED | 150–300 AED | After insurance reimbursement/co-pay. Cash visit: 150–300 AED per visit. |
| Dental Check-up (2/year) | ~60 AED | 120 AED | Routine cleaning and check-up. Major dental work (fillings, crowns) billed separately. |
| Specialist Visit (1–2/year) | ~100 AED | 200–400 AED | E.g., dermatologist, orthopedist. Co-pays vary by insurance tier. |
| Routine Blood Tests (1/year) | ~40 AED | 40 AED | Basic screening. Additional labs cost more. |
| Medications / Prescriptions | ~100–200 AED | 1,200–2,400 AED | For common prescriptions (hypertension, cholesterol, antibiotics). |
| Vision (Eye Exam + Glasses) | ~20 AED | 250 AED | Eye exam ~150–300 AED every 1–2 years. |
| Emergency Care / Hospitalization | – | 0–5,000+ AED | Typically covered under insurance, but co-pays and exclusions apply. |
(Source: Dubai Health Authority, Numbeo Dubai Healthcare costs, AXA Gulf, Orient insurance)
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Balancing Cost of Living in Dubai
It is not surprising to see that the cost of living in Dubai has increased by 0.5% for singles and 0.3% for families in 2025. This is due to an 18% year-on-year increase in rental and housing prices. However, despite this challenge, Dubai remains 30% cheaper than London and 50% cheaper than New York. And this is where Universes Consulting steps in. Our team specialises in helping entrepreneurs manage the cost of living in Dubai by streamlining their business setup, without any hassle.