Cost of Living in Dubai: Updated Prices 2024-25

Dubai is a constantly growing and developing country with the potential for rapid social, economic and political development in the Arabian Gulf region. If you are looking to study abroad and a new place to call home then Dubai is a perfect option. The cost of living in Dubai is lower than in various other countries. But what is the cost of living in Dubai, UAE? Dubai has been working and developing its own strategies to upgrade the education system in recent years.  If you want to move here, you need to know the updated living cost in Dubai in advance. So, in this blog, we will see an update on the average living cost in Dubai. Let’s jump straight into our discussion without any further delay.

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What is the Cost of Living in Dubai?

The average cost of living in Dubai for a single person is around AED 4,025 without rent according to the Numbeo data. If we consider the single apartment rent it is around AED 4,858 to AED 12,500 in Dubai. Food expenses are about AED 1668 per month, and transportation costs are around AED 689 per month. However, the overall living expenses in Dubai per month can vary according to a person’s preferences.

It is very important to understand the expenses of lifestyle in Dubai for international students especially those who have a limited budget for living in Dubai. Let us now examine in detail how much you have to pay for the average Dubai cost of living for a single person across various categories such as rent, utilities, food, health, transportation, groceries and others.

Costs of Dining in Dubai

Dining in Dubai can be as affordable or as luxurious as you make it. By understanding the costs associated with different types of dining experiences and exploring budget-friendly options, you can enjoy the city’s culinary delights without overspending. Eating out regularly can affect the student budget and the overall cost of living in Dubai, UAE. 

For students and budget-conscious individuals, dining out regularly can quickly add up. On average, a student might spend around AED 1,668.65 per month on food in Dubai. To save money, many students opt to cook at home, which is a more economical choice. It will help you save you a lot of money. However, if you enjoy eating out, here’s a look at the average cost of meals at various types of restaurants in Dubai.

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Lunch Menu	AED 36.36
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person	AED 264.17
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s	AED 34.56
Cappuccino	AED 22.26

Cost of Grocery in Dubai

Most groceries and foods are imported into Dubai, meaning higher prices can be expected compared to other countries. However, home-cooked meals can be more budget-friendly than eating out. Grocery costs can affect your cost of living in Dubai as it is a daily expense here.

In Dubai, it’s a smart thing to compare prices across different grocery stores and vendors. Grocery prices in Dubai can vary according to the product’s quality and quantity, as well as the location and availability of the store. The table below summarises the lists of average grocery costs in Dubai:

Grocery Items	Approx Cost
Apples (1kg)	AED 8.65
Banana (1kg)	AED 7.08
Oranges (1kg)	AED 6.89
Tomato (1kg)	AED 6.17
Potato (1kg)	AED 4.04
Onion (1kg)	AED 5.05
Lettuce (1 head)	AED 6.15
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	AED 2.32
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	AED 2.32
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	AED 7.26
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	AED 5.74
Rice (white), (1kg)	AED 8.94
Eggs (regular) (12)	AED 12.14
Local Cheese (1kg)	AED 35.5

Costs of Accommodation in Dubai

This is undoubtedly the most costly thing you need to consider while calculating the cost of living in Dubai. However, this depends on the location, size and type of the room or apartment. A one-bedroom in the city centre area can cost around AED 7800.

It is important to carefully examine and compare living options that fulfil your needs and fit according to your budget. For your convenience, we have arranged together some data on the average cost of housing in Dubai for various flats located inside and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Average Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	AED 7,927
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	AED 4,858
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	AED 14,937
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	AED 10,435

Cost of Utility in Dubai

The average Utility cost in Dubai can be around AED 716 per month. But in the summertime, these bills can shoot up as the people of Dubai rely on air-conditioning. It is important to consider these utility expenses when estimating your total cost of living in Dubai, as they can have a substantial impact on your budget.

Utility services in Dubai include essential amenities that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Here in the table, an overview of the average cost of utility bills in Dubai is given below:

Rent and Utility	Approx. Cost of Rent and Utility
Electricity, Water, Heating, Cooling, Garbage(for 1 bedroom Apartment )	AED 716
Mobile Phone Calls with 10GB+ Data(Monthly Plan)	AED 209
Internet (60+ Mbps, Cable/ADSL)	AED 350

Cost of Transportation in Dubai

Dubai has an efficient and safe transportation system that includes cabs, buses, and metro. The One-way fare of public transportation here can cost you around AED 7. However, it depends on the distance you are planning to travel. A taxi fare usually starts from AED 3 per kilometre. For a student, facing transportation costs while commuting to college/university will be a regular part of their daily routine.

Moreover, the cost of transportation is covered under the overall cost of living in Dubai for international students. Here, the costs of transportation in Dubai are shown in the table given below: 

Mode of Transportation	Average Cost
One-way Ticket (Buses)	AED 7
Monthly Pass (Buses)	AED 300
Normal fare Tariff for Taxi	AED 12
Normal fare Tariff for Taxi for 1 hour Waiting	AED 30
Gasoline per litre	AED 3.07

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The Cost of Living in Dubai Compared to Other Countries

Dubai can offer an amazing living experience compared to other countries around the world. Although Dubai is considered an expensive country, when the cost of living in Dubai is compared to other cities, many factors come into play, such as housing rent, transportation costs, cost of eating out, and entertainment costs.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the average living costs compares to other cities like London, Toronto, Amsterdam, Paris, The US, New York, Belfast, Cork, and Versus London. We’ve given the cost of living (not including rent) in other countries. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City/Country Wise	Average Cost of living (Without rent)	Comparison with Cost of Living in Dubai, UAE
Cost of Living in the UK	AED 3853	Lower than Dubai
Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi	AED 3434	Lower than Dubai
Cost of Living in Qatar	AED 3319	Lower than Dubai
Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia	AED 2948	Lower than Dubai
Cost of Living in Singapore	AED 4077	Higher than Dubai
Cost of Living in Canada	AED 3882	Lower than Dubai
Cost of Living in the USA	AED 4299	Higher than Dubai
Cost of Living in Australia	AED 4070	Higher than Dubai

Average Tuition Fees in Dubai

Along with the average cost of living in Dubai, the other essential expense is the average tuition fee there. Course fees at Dubai Universities can be affordable or expensive depending on the university and the course you choose.

Please note that tuition fees at Dubai universities may vary depending on the university, level of study and field of study. See the table below for a summary of some tuition fees at selected Dubai universities:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees for 1st year
American University of Sharjah	AED 101000
Abu Dhabi University	AED 42520 – AED 235000
BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus	AED 32000 – AED 49800
Westford University College	AED 17000 – AED 36000
Amity University, Dubai Campus	AED 13920 – AED 64580
Middlesex University Dubai	AED 58480 – AED 111000
Gulf Medical University	AED 110000 – AED 143000

How to Manage the Cost of Living in Dubai? 

While the cost of living in Dubai is a hurdle for expatriate students, Dubai offers a commendable academic environment to its students. To manage the living expenses in Dubai, international students can follow some strategies which are given below:

• Preferring self-cooked meals,
• Use public transport 
• Look for Deals and Discounts
• Availing of student discounts
• Look for a shared rental apartment
• Explore part-time work options
• Utilize university resources

By sticking to these tips, international students can effectively manage living expenses in Dubai and reduce the cost of living in Dubai for single person with rent.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Dubai

So, this was all about the cost of living in Dubai. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.