- Oct 06, 2023
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Cost Of Living in Dubai - Dubai Expenses For Family
Are you moving to Dubai alone or with your family and wondering about the living costs and cost of housing in Dubai? Don't worry. Here, we are going to have all the details while addressing your concerns and helping you make a good decision as per your budget, preferences, and personal choices.
Dubai is the most populous and famous city in the United Arab Emirates. People around the globe are attracted by its vibrant and appealing vibes. They get to explore and reach so many opportunities regarding their career, education, business, and lifestyle.
This city is preferred for its luxurious living standards, high-end amenities, good educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and positive growth parameters. Being a hub of skyscrapers, Modern Architecture, a Business Bay, and a shopping district, Dubai is an amazing place to live. Whether you are moving to explore a job opportunity or going to start a business startup, you must understand the details of living costs there.
So, in this guide, we are going to throw light on the living expenses in Dubai such as Average Rent In Dubai Per Month and help you to make a sound budget to plan your settlement there and maintain the lifestyle you are looking for
Average Monthly Expenses In Dubai For Single Person With Family
Dubai can be an expensive place to live and an affordable one at the same time. The cost of living in Dubai with rent is much dependent upon the residencies you take, the area you choose to live in, the places you shop from, the items you choose, the frequency and the duration of your transport usage, and much more.
So, to make a good living in Dubai, you need to consider many factors, and you also have to specify your budget accordingly. If you are planning to move with the family schooling of your kids, health insurance and other compulsions are also gonna add to your budget.
Here is an average cost of living in Dubai for Indian Family and others, depending upon the members of your family and the facilities you want to go with.
For a Single Person: AED 3965.3 (USD 1079.73)
For a Family of four: AED 13,842.1 (USD 3768.61)
1. Cost Of Housing In Dubai - Average Expense In Dubai
The main concern wherever you go is living in that place, and it most probably makes the most of your budget and can be the largest expense.
The good thing is you can somehow control housing costs by managing them well, as the prices are different in different communities, especially when you are living in Dubai. This depends on where you choose to live, and the variation is so real, even up to 400%.
As in communities and areas like Downtown Dubai, if you are looking for an apartment for rent in Dubai, it will cost you around AED 85000 annually, but you can reduce this to even half if you choose to live in some other area. For example, in Jumeirah Village, the same would be for AED 40000, as it is a more affordable community.
But for Dubai lifestyle cost of living one must consider your working location or your business setup and try to find the one as near as possible. Although a cheap and far away residence might save your housing expenses, it will significantly increase your transport expenses by many folds.
So, you need to keep a good balance of prices to meet the cost of living in Dubai.
As per the most updated information sourced by Numbeo, the average Cost of Living In Dubai For Single Person with Rent in Dubai in 2023 are as follows and also for those considering to move with a family.
| Apartments as per location and Number of Bedrooms | Average Costs |
| Apartment 1 bedroom situated in City Centre | AED 7,068.17 or (USD 1,924.40) |
| Apartment1 bedroom located Outside of Centre | AED 4,142.20 or (USD 1,127.77) |
| Apartment 3 bedrooms situated in City Centre | AED 13,230.68 or (USD 3,602.21) |
| Apartment of 3 bedrooms located Outside of Centre | AED 8,194.29 or (USD 2,230.99) |
2. How Much Cost Of Utilities In Dubai
Grocery is another basic necessity you need to fulfill for a living no matter where you live. There are many supermarkets in Dubai that make sure to bring and stock the items from almost every corner of the world.
Grocery shopping and bills depend largely on your personal choices and lifestyle. If you shop from well-known supermarkets and go with the premium products, it is definitely gonna cost you a lot.
The more high-quality imported products you buy, the more the bill will be. You have to pay AED 200 to buy 1 Kg Australian Angus Ribeye Steak, and the prices usually vary from store to store and brand also.
So, if you try to keep your grocery bills minimum, go with the local seasonal and easily available products and try to shop from an affordable store like Carrefour.
Fortunately, often, there are many ongoing offers and promotions available for customers at such stores that can also save a good amount on your grocery bills. Just be mindful while going for groceries,
Here is the price list of the cost of utilities in Dubai one must have in their grocery list.
| Grocery Item | Price (AED) |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 2.10 |
| Coca cola (1 Can 330 ml) | 2.50 |
| Milk (1 liter) | 6.42 |
| Loaf of Bread (500g) | 5.37 |
| White rice (1kg) | 8.19 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | 10.98 |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 30.58 |
| Banana (1kg) | 6.50 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 5.49 |
| Potato (1kg) | 3.87 |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.37 |
| Jam (340g) | 14.50 |
3. Cost of Transportation
Transportation is another must-have expense in your budget. No matter if you use your own transport or use the public one, it is going to cost you in both cases. The transportation expenses vary depending upon the frequency of your commute and the duration as well.
Surely, the average expense in Dubai for fuel remains somewhat lower compared to the rest of the world, but still, you need to spend a considerable amount of your budget on it. Depending upon the car model and how often you travel, your fuel cost can be specified. If you have your own vehicle, you have to spend on insurance, services and maintenance, too.
If you want to spend a minimum on transportation, the good news is that you can use public transport. Don\'t worry; Dubai is a developed city and has an intricate network of taxis, buses, and ferries.
Moreover, Dubai Metro is also an optimum option for both in terms of comfortable traveling and savings. Taxis get somewhat expensive, but as mentioned frequently, transportation costs depend upon how frequently you travel and for which time period.
You can reduce the transportation cost by living in a residence nearer to your workplace and by going in public transport. Let\'s have an idea of the average transportation cost in Dubai
| Transport Service | Cost (AED) |
| Taxi fare (1Km) | 3.00 (0.82) |
| Petrol (1 Liter) | 2.90 (USD 0.79) |
| Buses (single ticket) | |
| Within 1 Zone | 4.00 (USD 1.09) |
| 2 Adjacent Zones | 6.00 (USD 1.63) |
| More than 2 Zones | 8.50 (USD 2.32) |
Read Also :
Apartments as per location and Number of Bedrooms | Average Costs |
Apartment 1 bedroom situated in City Centre | AED 7,068.17 or (USD 1,924.40) |
Apartment1 bedroom located Outside of Centre | AED 4,142.20 or (USD 1,127.77) |
Apartment 3 bedrooms situated in City Centre | AED 13,230.68 or (USD 3,602.21) |
Apartment of 3 bedrooms located Outside of Centre | AED 8,194.29 or (USD 2,230.99) |
4. Schooling Of Your Kids In Dubai
If you are planning to move to Dubai with your kids, you need to have an in-depth look into the schooling and educational expenses you need to meet while being in Dubai.
Dubai schools have something for everyone. They have a versatile and dynamic curriculum, offering American, British, IB, and Indian curricula. If you want your child to get admitted to the best schools in Dubai, you need to pay a good amount in the annual budget.
The fees there also vary from school to school and largely depend upon the curriculum being offered. IB, American, and British schools usually charge high fees compared to the others. School fees also depend upon the class grade of your child.
If you are looking for an international school, you are going to find many well-known and outstanding schools in Dubai, but make sure to keep the budget safe for your kids\' good schooling.
Indian schools are much more affordable, and you get to pay reasonable tuition fees. Schools in Dubai have set monthly and annual expenses that cover all the other relevant expenses as well, including exam fees, transport, school trips, notebooks, uniforms, and others.
So you can enroll your kids in many of the best and top-rated schools in Dubai, depending upon your personal choice, preferences, budget, the curricula your child goes for, and the location of your residence.
Have a look at the following table comparing the average expense in Dubai for a grade 6 student for different curricula to get a clear picture of schooling expenses in Dubai.
| School | Curriculum | Estimated Fee | Monthly Tuition Fee |
| GEMS World Academy | International Baccalaureate | Expensive | AED9465 |
| GEMS Modern Academy | Indian | Expensive | AED 4,453 |
| GEMS Dubai American Academy | American | Expensive | AED 8,626 |
| Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills | International Baccalaureate | Moderate | AED 5,283 |
| Mirdif American School | American | Affordable | AED 3,093 |
| The Winchester School | British | affordable | AED 1,843 |
| The Millennium School | Indian | Affordable | AED 2,236 |
5. Healthcare & Insurance Plans In Dubai
It is another thing to consider that if you are moving to Dubai, you must know that health insurance average cost of living in Dubai for a single person is mandatory and a must for every resident of the United Arab Emirates.
Most of the time, when you plan to move to Dubai, the company sponsoring you in Dubai makes sure to provide you with health insurance that mostly extends to your family, too. But if you have not been offered health insurance for any area, then you have to purchase one for yourself.
The insurance plan and the cost usually depend on the benefits they offer and the areas covered; the annual starting cost falls somewhere around AED600. But if you are moving with your family, the appropriate plan will be available for AED 1500-2500 for a family of four. The costs can go higher if you want to add other benefits. Your costs definitely get reduced.
Another considerable matter is that if you have a household, you must get them a healthcare insurance plan.
So let\'s look into the numerical digits, which an average healthcare plan is going to cost you annually while moving to Dubai.
| Plans | Individual | Family of four |
| Basic Health Insurance | 600 – 800 | 17,000 |
| Essential Benefits Plan | 550-600 | |
| Comprehensive Health Plan | 5,500 | 33,500 |
| Premium Health Plan | 10,000 -15,000 | 70,000 |
6. Utility Charges in Dubai
Along with housing, insurance, transportation, and groceries, you also need to include the costs of utilities in your budget and expenses list, as they are going to get a defined portion of it.
Cost of utilities in Dubai cover water and electricity connection (provided by DEWA), internet packages, TV, and mobile plans. The costs of these bills do not remain the same all over the year. In fact, they vary depending on which time of year it is.
For example, your DEWA bills obviously vary for the summer and winter times, as air conditioners are more used in the summer. The costs of bills also depend upon the place you are living. If your home owns luxuries like a garden and a pool, the bills will rise further.
For internet and TV offers, those living in Dubai are offered many packages, and they can choose the one as per their need and use. Taking an average package as an example, which will cost you AED389 monthly, offers more than 200 TV channels, an internet download speed of 250Mbps, and all the free landline calls in UAE.
But if you want to go for a premium package, you need to pay AED 529 for it to have an internet speed of 500 Mbps while enjoying many premium channels. You can also get some discounted packages if available by that time.
As far as your mobile packages are concerned for postpaid, they fall somewhere between AED 125-1000 monthly, depending on the data offered and other packages. You can also get more controlled spending on mobile packages by going for prepaid mobile plans.
So, the cost of utilities in Dubai vary, and all depends upon usage, your preference, and the number of family members. Let\'s have an overview of the average cost of utilities while living in Dubai.
| Utility | Monthly Costs (AED) |
| Basic Utilities For 900 Sq.Ft Apartment (Electricity, Water, Cooling & Garbage) | 607.96 |
| Basic Mobile Postpaid Plan | 125 |
| Premium Mobile Postpaid Plan | Around 500 |
| Basic Tv And Internet Package | 389 |
| Premium Tv And Internet Package | Around 529 |
Read Also :
Grocery Item | Price (AED) |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 2.10 |
Coca cola (1 Can 330 ml) | 2.50 |
Milk (1 liter) | 6.42 |
Loaf of Bread (500g) | 5.37 |
White rice (1kg) | 8.19 |
Eggs (12 pieces) | 10.98 |
Chicken Breast (1kg) | 30.58 |
Banana (1kg) | 6.50 |
Tomato (1kg) | 5.49 |
Potato (1kg) | 3.87 |
Onion (1kg) | 3.37 |
Jam (340g) | 14.50 |
7. Leisure - Cost Of Living In Dubai
Dubai is also well-known and famous for its entertainment spots, shopping centers, amazing views, and scenic vibes. So, spending time in entertainment and having fun while being in Dubai is a must.
Visiting shopping malls, supermarkets, theme parks, eateries, restaurants, and beaches in Dubai are some of the best leisure activities you can get to enjoy with friends and family while in Dubai.
The prices and cost of tickets and entrance passes vary depending upon the location, the facilities, luxuries, and the popularity of the place, along with many other factors. But don\'t worry it is not gonna cost you much.
Fortunately, Dubai has many entertainment activities, fun areas, and eateries available at highly affordable rates that fall within your budget so that you can spend good quality time with them or hang out in the holidays and make good memories.
Let\'s have a look to get a rough idea of the average monthly expenses in Dubai for a single person to keep for good entertainment.
| Activities | Cost (AED) |
| Gym Membership (Monthly) | 280.71 |
| Cinema Ticket Per Person | 40 |
| Average Restaurant Meal At An Affordable Restaurant (Per Person) | 110 |
| Meal For Two At A Mid Range Restaurant With Three Courses | 300 |
| Meal For Two At A Premium Dining Restaurant (Three Courses) | 500-1000 |
8. House Help In Dubai
Many residents in Dubai have to employ a house help but remember that it will increase your overall Living expenses there. Expat families who need to keep a house help sponsor them and take care of their yearly visa renewal.
Expats can also have the option to hire a maid via an agency that offers them the facility and have to pay a one-time additional agency fee along with the regular set salary of the maid.
But if you need a maid for particular hours or at an alternative time, you can hire the one from different cleaning companies for some time or whenever needed.
They charge at hourly rates, usually varying from AED25 to AED 55, depending upon the services. Be mindful of this, as it is surely gonna add an extra amount to your living costs in Dubai.
So, hopefully, you have a sound idea of how much monthly expenses in Dubai for a single person cost. if you are moving alone for your job or business or even if you are settling with your family. It all depends upon your lifestyle, residences, facilities you wanna avail of, and your personal choices.
A Comparison Of Dubai with Other Expensive States to live in
Let\'s compare the costs of living in Dubai with some other best places, including the US, UK, and Canada, to live in the world. Now, you are gonna have a comparison of the costs of living in certain places compared to Dubai.
9. Cost Of Living In Dubai Vs Uk
Here, we are gonna compare the average prices, cost of living, expenses, and utilities for Cost Of Living In Dubai Vs Uk with reference to London, so let\'s see the difference.
Here, it can be estimated that the living cost in London is 35% higher than even in Dubai. Dubai is ranked as the most expensive city in UAE to live in, whereas London occupies the second position in the list of most expensive cities in the UK to live in.
| Areas | Dubai | London |
| Cost Of Living With A Family | $4546 | $6932 |
| Living Cost For 1 Person | $1975 | $3029 |
| Food Expense | $451 | $528 |
| Residency With Family | $2125 | $3238 |
| Rent For 1 Person | $1193 | $1951 |
| Transport Expenses | $190 | $375 |
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10. Cost of Living in Dubai Vs USA
The US is another of the most desirable, elite, and luxurious places to live. Here, we are going to have an in-depth look at the average cost of living in Dubai Vs US.
So let\'s look into the cost of living in UAE and the US and conclude that the living cost In Dubai, the house rent, and food expenses are less in Dubai as compared to the United States.
| Areas | Dubai | US |
| Living Cost For A Single | $1975 | $2317 |
| Living Cost For A Family | $4546 | $5291 |
| House Rent For A Family | $2125 | $2509 |
| House Rent For A Single | $1193 | $1470 |
| Transport Expenditures | $131 | $104 |
| Food Expenses | $451 | $589 |
11. Cost of Living In Dubai vs Canada
To know the cost of living In Dubai vs Canada, here we are going to have details that will throw light on the comparison between the both to let us conclude that living in Canada is 13% more expensive than living in Dubai for its higher cost of living, high transport cost, and rising rental prices
Areas | Dubai | Canada |
Living Cost For A Single | $1680 | $1901 |
Living Cost For A Family | $3870 | $4366 |
House Rent For A Family | $1871 | $1878 |
House Rent For A Single | $1030 | $1111 |
Transport Expenditures | $127 | $131 |
Food Expenses | $391 | $535 |
Bottom Line:
Dubai is one of the best and the safest cities to be considered for shifting and settlement. It is famous for its high-end lifestyle, exceptional facilities, luxurious amenities, health care services, shopping malls, restaurants, and the best schooling options.
So, if you are also looking to move to Dubai, you must be keen on knowing about the expenses and the expenditure living in Dubai is going to cost you.
In this guide, you definitely have gotten an idea of how much a single person\'s living cost in Dubai or how much Dubai expenses are for a family. The costs mostly depend upon your family situation, priorities, areas you choose to live or spend, and your lifestyle.
But in Dubai, though there are many expensive places to live, there are affordable ones, too. You just need to be mindful of your expenditures prior to finalization. And just relax; Dubai is an optimum and premium destination
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