Dubai has long been an expat hotspot, popular amongst people from the UK and Hong Kong. Whether you're considering a move to Dubai to set up a business or simply to capitalise on lucrative job opportunities, it's crucial to have a current understanding of the cost of living in the city.
The overall cost of living in Dubai compared to other major cities can be seen below based on the latest cost data from Numbeo.
Rising cost of living in Dubai for expats in 2025
Amongst the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, Dubai has seen an increase in the cost of living for international employees. According to Mercer’s 2024 cost-of-living data, the cost of living in Dubai has seen a rise since 2024, raising 3 ranks from 18th to 15th. This now makes Dubai the costliest city in the Middle East for international employees.
A key driver of this rise is the surge in housing costs. Dubai’s residential real estate market has been increasing for 17 consecutive quarters, with rental prices rising 18% year-on-year in 2024. This sustained demand reflects the city's growing appeal as a global hub for business and lifestyle.
Despite rising costs, Dubai remains far more affordable than global business hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.
This affordability, combined with its strategic location and opportunities, makes Dubai an intriguing choice for expats navigating global cities.
How Dubai compares to other global business hubs in cost of living
Dubai has similar rent costs to some of the world's major business hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, while petrol and taxi fares are far cheaper. Compared to Hong Kong, which retains the top spot on the list, the gap in the cost of living has been brought closer due to the slower increase in rents in Hong Kong, at 8%, while rents in Dubai have risen by an average of 21%.
Between Hong Kong and Dubai, Dubai has also seen lower inflation over a basket for everyday items. For example, the cost of 12 large eggs in Hong Kong rose by 13.7%, while the same goods rose by 7% in Dubai in 2024. Similarly, the cost of 1L of olive oil rose by 25.4%, while the same rose by only 6% in Dubai in 2024. Though Dubai has caught up to the higher costing cities in some areas, various other goods are still much cheaper, making Dubai still a desirable destination for cost-minded international employees.
Here is how Dubai stacks up against these cities:
|
Location |
Single-person monthly cost without rent |
Average rent in city centre |
Taxi fare (1km) |
Petrol (1 litre) |
|
Dubai |
AED 4,066.30 |
AED 8,174.61 |
AED 2.50 |
AED 3.07 |
|
Hong Kong |
AED 4,105.63 |
AED 8,099.37 |
AED 4.95 |
AED 11.10 |
|
Singapore |
AED 4,023.8 |
AED 9,981.88 |
AED 2.73 |
AED 7.68 |
|
Zurich |
AED 6,158.9 |
AED 9,168.36 |
AED 15.72 |
AED 7.76 |
|
New York |
AED 6,142.9 |
AED 14,978.45 |
AED 7.99 |
AED 3.69 |
Data from Numbeo (Most updated statistics: November 2024)
Living expenses in Dubai
Living expenses are expenditures that are required for necessary survival. It would consist of housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and transportation, to name a few. Any recreational fees would not be accounted for under living expenses.
When determining living expenses, housing makes up a considerable chunk of the budget. On average about 30% of living expenses will be put into housing, followed by transportation and food, making up 15% each. The monthly expenses vastly differ with family size as well. Here is a small overview for a quick reference for total costs depending on the size of your family.
|
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
Single Person |
AED 4,064.9 |
AED 4,084.9 |
|
Family of Four |
AED 14,198.6 (USD 3,865.8) |
AED 14,239.9 (USD 3,877) |
Data from Numbeo (Most updated statistics: November 2024)
With more attractions, restaurants, and cultural festivals planned for 2025 in Dubai and JLT, there is an even bigger appetite for expatriates to relocate to Dubai. The average cost of living in Dubai for a single person increased by 0.5% in 2025 compared to 2024. The estimated cost of living for a family of four also increased by 0.3%.
Rental housing costs in Dubai
International employees will often opt to rent when they first arrive in Dubai. The residential offerings across Dubai are abundant, ranging from condos and apartments to villas. Residential costs in Dubai vary based on your chosen location, which is often influenced by the proximity to your workplace or business.
In 2024, apartment tenants saw their rent increase by 22% compared to the same period a year before, while villa rents increased by 13% year over year. However, the increase hasn’t deterred tenants from extending their leases, as Dubai saw a 14% increase in renewals in the second quarter of 2024.
Here’s a reference of what you can expect in terms of rental costs of a residential property.
|
Type of apartment |
Cost of rent per month |
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
AED 8,174.61 (USD 2,225.59) |
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
AED 5,089.07 (USD 1,385.53) |
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
AED 15,266.63 (USD 4,156.45) |
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
AED 10,013.85 (USD 2,726.34) |
Data from Numbeo (Most updated statistics: November 2024)
The Jumeirah Lakes Tower (JLT) is one of the best areas in Dubai to live for singles and families. It is among the most popular districts for expats, alongside Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), and Dubai's Old Town, which all have relatively similar rental prices. However, when considering moving to Dubai, expats often compare housing costs with those in other cities like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to explore their options.
The average rental price in JLT for a one-bedroom apartment ranges depending on the size. Rental prices can range from AED 70,000 (USD 19,059) for 400 square feet, to AED 90,000 (USD 24,504) for 900 square feet. Expats choose to live in these areas because of the community, and nearby amenities are usually more suitable for their needs.
Located in DMCC's Uptown Dubai district, the Uptown Dubai Residences offers a premium living experience for residents. With 227 apartments on offer, the Uptown Dubai Residences dominate the top 28 floors of the Uptown Tower which gives residences breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline, the Dubai Eye. The average rental price for Uptown Dubai Residence can range from AED 130,000 (USD 35,400) for 660 square feet to AED 470,000 (USD 128,000) for 1,600 square feet.
Dubai utilities cost
Home utilities in Dubai consist of both water and electricity connections, which are managed by the DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority). The average monthly bill may differ across seasons, with a spike during summer due to A/C usage. Below is a general range of what one may expect to spend for utilities for a one-bedroom apartment.
|
Utilities |
Cost of rent per month |
|
Electricity |
AED 200 - AED 400 (USD 55 - USD 110) |
|
Water |
AED 50 - AED 100 (USD 13 - USD 26) |
|
Cooling and Heating |
AED 150 - AED 300 (USD 41 - USD 82) |
Dubai residential cleaning services
Cleaning services for accommodations also fall under the housing category in living expenses. This service is usually provided by hiring domestic help which is quite common in Dubai. The rates vary depending on the basis of cleaning but typically a full-time domestic helper would expect a salary range of AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 (USD 408 - USD 1090) per month (dependent on factors such as live-in, live-out) and a part-time domestic helper that comes in once a week (3-hour service) would cost around AED 360 to AED 480 (USD 98 to USD 130) per month.
Dubai education costs
Public schools
While expat kids are allowed to attend both public and private schools in the UAE, they must pay fees regardless of which type they select, as free government schooling is only available for Emirati nationals. For expats interested in public schools, the annual tuition fee has been capped at AED 6,000 (USD 1,635) per year.
International / Private schools
Dubai has 209 private schools servicing 289,195 Emirati and expat students. Out of all the emirates Dubai is the only one that has implemented annual tuition caps forbidding schools from increasing their rates at unreasonable amounts every year. Private school fees can range between AED 12,723 to AED 64,903 (USD 3,464 - USD 17,671).
It must be noted that school fees also depend highly on the school location, it varies with a significant deviation, and a complete overhaul can be seen here.
Higher education
Dubai has 65 colleges and universities, and 5 public universities. They cater to both Emirati and expatriate students. However, public universities in Dubai use Arabic as the medium of teaching whilst most private universities teach using English. The average cost for an undergraduate degree would range from AED 40,000 to AED 100,000 (USD 10,890 - USD 27,226) per academic year. The average cost for a graduate degree would range from AED 50,000 to AED 120,000 (USD 13,613 to USD 32,671) per academic year.
Housing fees for university students vary from AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 (USD 1,361 - USD 4,084) per academic year.
For a full breakdown on Dubai University fees, click here.
Dubai transportation costs
Car ownership
The cost of buying a car greatly depends on the condition. To give a benchmark, the 2024 Toyota Corolla is the most commonly driven car in the UAE and fetches a price of AED 74,900 (USD 20,392). Implementing a 20% deposit, a 60-instalment payback plan, and considering other costs, it would come in at AED 14,076 (USD 3,832) per year excluding the down payment. However, when buying a used car, depreciation usually takes 20-40% off the total price of the car. As of 2024, a used 2020 Toyota Corolla (4 years old) fetches an average price of AED 40,000.
The petrol price in Dubai as of December 2024 varies from AED 2.63 (USD 0.72) per litre for Special 95 to AED 2.74 per litre for Super 98 (USD 0.75), which is significantly cheaper than the worldwide average of AED 4.55 (USD 1.24) per litre.
Public transportation
|
Transportation fares/Prices in Dubai |
Average cost |
|
Cost of Taxis in Dubai Minimum Starting Tariff Per additional 1 km |
AED 12.00 (USD 3.27) AED 2.5 (USD 0.68) |
|
Buses (single ticket) Within 1 Zone 2 Adjacent Zones More than 2 Zones |
AED 4 (USD 1.09) AED 6 (USD 1.63) AED 8.50 (USD 2.31) |
|
Buses (monthly ticket) For 1 Zone For 2 Zones For all Zones |
AED 140 (USD 38.12) AED 230 (USD 62.62) AED 350 (USD 95.29) |
|
Average price of 1 L petrol |
AED 2.66 (USD 0.72) |
Data from Numbeo (Most updated statistics: November 2024)
In the JLT area, there are two Dubai Metro stations making it extremely convenient for employees, residents and visitors to access areas in the premium district, DMCC. There is also a bus service that travels around the community with stops throughout.
For more information on public transportation in Dubai, you can visit the Dubai government's official website.
Dubai healthcare & insurance
Dubai Health Authority has implemented legislation where all residents, including expats, must have private medical insurance. While locals can be covered under the government-funded scheme, expats will need to be covered under private health insurance schemes, which are usually purchased through their employers.
Dubai is especially recognised for its high-standard healthcare system. As an expat, you can take advantage of both public and private healthcare facilities.
Health Card
While Dubai’s medical public facilities are free for locals, expats can receive a 50% discount with a health card. Health card fees are as follows:
- Expatriate Fee up to 10 years – AED 120 (USD 32.67)
- Expatriate Fee from 18 and above – AED 320 (USD 87.12)
- Nationals Fee up to 10 years – AED 25 (USD 6.81)
- Nationals Fee from 18 and above – AED 120 (USD 32.67)
The above fees are one-time payments to obtain a health card. Health cards must be reissued in place of an expired one (dependent on age). To apply for a health care card, expats can visit the Dubai Health Authority website.
The Essential Benefit Plan
There’s also something in place for employees earning less than 4,000 AED (USD 1,090) monthly or non-working residents. Launched in 2014, the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is the minimum level of health insurance cover that all residents in Dubai must have. It provides essential benefits at affordable prices. Below is a breakdown of the annual premium package fee for an EBP based on gender, job and age:
- Employees: AED 650-725
- Dependents (aged 0-65): AED 650
- Non-working married females (aged 18-45): AED 1,600
- Elderly parents: AED 2,500
- General domestic help: AED 650
For more information, please visit Pacific Prime’s guide to mandatory health insurance in Dubai.
Job Loss Insurance
Dubai now offers expats an extra layer of financial protection against sudden job loss. The Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) scheme, effective from 2023, provides income protection for the first three months after an unexpected job loss.
The insurance premiums for the ILOE scheme are affordable and tiered according to your basic salary:
- For salaries up to AED 16,000 (4,355 USD):
- AED 5 (USD 1.36) per month/AED 60 annually (USD 16.33)
- For salaries more than AED 16,000 (4,355 USD):
- AED 10 (USD 2.72) per month/AED 120 annually (USD 32.67)
Only Dubai Insurance is authorized to issue ILOE policies. Subscribers can receive 60% of their average basic salary over the last six months before job loss, paid within two weeks from the date of the claim.
So, as an expat looking to make your way in Dubai, the ILOE scheme offers you a greater sense of security as you navigate the city's vibrant professional landscape. It's not just the luxury lifestyle that makes Dubai appealing, it's also the comprehensive social support structures like the ILOE.
Beyond cost considerations: Dubai's quality of life
Though Dubai has seen an increase in cost of living over 2024, it has still retained a top spot in it's quality of life, according to Mercer. Mercer classifies a "high" quality of life with personal safety and security, along with an abundance offering of amenities and services that are easily accessible by citizens. Dubai has often been classified as "one of the safest cities in the world", while amenities and infrastructures on offer in JLT, Uptown Dubai, and all around Dubai make it easy for newcomers to truly call Dubai home.
What salary do you need to live in Dubai?
The amount you will need depends on your lifestyle, but a budget of AED 16,000 to AED 30,000 is typically sufficient for most international employees settling in Dubai.
Average salaries by profession
|
Profession |
Average salary per month |
|
Investment Banking Analyst |
AED 25,800 (USD 7,024) |
|
Chef |
AED 9,250 (USD 2,518) |
|
Project Manager |
AED 20,500 (USD 5,581) |
|
Teacher |
AED 12,400 (USD 3,376) |
|
Human Resources Manager |
AED 24,100 (USD 6,561) |
|
Business Analyst |
AED 19,300 (USD 5,254) |
Data from Time Doctor
Salary progression related to years of work experience
One key advantage of building a long-term career in Dubai is the substantial salary growth that comes with increased experience. Professionals who stay longer in the city often benefit from higher salary increments, making it financially rewarding to commit to the local job market. Over time, salaries increase significantly as individuals gain more experience and expertise, offering greater financial stability and opportunities for savings and investments.
|
Years of experience |
Salary increment (%) |
|
2-5 Years |
32% more than junior professionals |
|
5 - 10 Years |
36% more than those with less than 5 years of experience |
|
10-15 Years |
21% more than those with less than 10 years of experience |
Source from Zimyo
Living in Dubai: Can you make it work?
Despite a rise in the cost of living in 2024, Dubai continues to stand out as a leading destination for international professionals. Compared to other top expat hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, and New York, Dubai remains more affordable and offers a higher quality of life, solidifying its appeal for those looking to advance their careers or establish businesses. Before making the move, learn about what Dubai offers on our JLT website including resources and tips on the best gyms, restaurants, entertainment and facilities in Dubai’s premier neighbourhood, Jumeirah Lake Towers. While Dubai leads in global recognition, neighbouring cities like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah also present unique living opportunities.
Thinking of moving to Dubai for business? If you want to learn more, download our free 'Dubai Business Setup Guide’ to learn everything you need to know about moving and setting up in the right free zone.
