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Cost of living in Dubai: Food, transport, and more
What is the cost of living in Dubai? Find out how much you need for rent, food, healthcare, internet and transport expenses.
You might think Dubai’s cost of living feels extravagant or excessive, making life here too expensive, since it’s a city linked to luxury, modern buildings, shops, and consumption. However, Dubai’s more affordable than you imagine, especially compared with cities like New York. In fact, Dubai’s up to 55% cheaper for basic expenses. Add to that tax exemptions and visa options for foreign professionals like the digital nomad visa. All these factors make moving to Dubai increasingly attractive.
Today we’ll share updated average costs for housing, transport, healthcare, food, internet, and entertainment in Dubai, in dollars and euros. This way you’ll know future expenses and define your fixed budget to live fully in this city.
Cost of living in Dubai: Housing expenses
Housing is the heaviest expense within Dubai’s cost of living. If you travel with family or live with colleagues, you’ll probably need a spacious place with privacy. But if you’re adventurous and prefer hotel-like comfort, without loneliness or extravagance, with included services and community activities, then a coliving space may be your best choice. A comfortable monthly budget for living in Dubai varies, yet remains high. Let’s review some housing costs for different lifestyles:
- 3- and 4-star hotels: Living long-term in a hotel isn’t cost-effective, since monthly expenses reach $2,000-4,000 (€1,500-3,000). Sometimes this only covers the room, maintenance, and maybe breakfast. The Ibis Al Rigga, located in Deira near the metro, offers rooms between $80-150 (€76-143) per night.
- Furnished apartments: Renting an equipped flat or studio costs between $2,500-4,500 (€2,300-4,150). Options exist in central districts or seaside spots like Bluewaters Island, with access to pools and gyms.
- Coliving: Spaces like You&Co in Dubai offer private or shared rooms from $80 (€76) per night, plus coworking areas and lounges where students, digital nomads, and remote workers connect.
- Airbnb: You’ll find every booking option here, including entire houses, starting from $19 (€18) per night.
Food costs in Dubai 2025
The second biggest expense is food. Should you cook or eat out? Do your maths considering Dubai promotes luxury and consumption. While there are quality products and services, prices often match. Eating three meals in local or mid-range restaurants costs: breakfast $8-30 (€7-27), lunch $10-40 (€9-36), and dinner $15-50 (€14-45).
Carrefour is a supermarket chain you’ll find in Dubai. Here are some daily food prices:
| Product | Price |
| Bread (per day) | $1.35 (€1.30) |
| Pasta (500 g) | $1.50 (€1.40) |
| Cheese (1 kg) | $16 (€15) |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.50 (€3.35) |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.80 (€1.70) |
| Beef (1 kg) | $12 (€11) |
| Chicken (1 kg) | $5 (€4.50) |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1.65 (€1.57) |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.30 (€1.24) |
| Coca-Cola (2 litres) | $2.20 (€2.10) |
Basic food prices in Dubai.
Transport prices within Dubai’s cost of living
In Dubai you can choose the transport that suits you best to explore skyscrapers, artificial islands, and luxury shops. Here are the options with their respective fares so you can calculate:
Public transport
- Dubai Metro: It has two lines (red and green), covering modern areas like Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall and historical districts such as the Deira District. Day passes cost $0.82-3.00 (€0.78-2.86).
- Buses: They complement metro routes, with similar fares.
- Dubai Tram: It links Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach, with fares between $1-3.00 (€0.95-2.86) per trip.
- Abras: Traditional boats crossing Dubai Creek, connecting Deira and Bur Dubai. It’s the cheapest option and a tourist experience, costing only $0.27 (€0.25) per ride.
- Nol Card: A rechargeable card valid on metro, buses, and trams. The red card for visitors costs $0.50 (€0.48) and supports up to ten trips or five daily passes. The silver card for residents costs $7 (€6.68), including $5 credit for rides.
Private transport
- Taxis: Operated by Dubai’s RTA, with a daytime base fare of $1.36 (€1.25). From 10pm to 6am, the rate is $0.95 (€0.87) per kilometre.
- Taxi apps: Uber and Careem are the most popular. They cost more than local taxis but charge fixed fares despite traffic delays or long distances.
- Bike rental: Services like Careem Bike offer daily rentals ($5/€4), weekly ($13/€12), monthly ($20/€19), and annual packages ($122/€116).
- Popular car models in Dubai: If buying a car, the Toyota Land Cruiser is most sold, costing $31,000-125,000 (€29,582-119,000). The Tesla Model 3 leads among EVs, priced around $50,000 (€47,700).
- Car insurance: Comprehensive insurance ranges $326-1,360 (€311-1,298). Third-party cover costs around $122-272 (€116-260).
- Petrol price: About $0.79 (€0.75) per litre.
- Electricity cost per kWh: From $0.30 (€0.29) plus VAT.
Healthcare costs in Dubai
Foreign residents in Dubai can access public healthcare by obtaining a health card from the local Ministry of Health. Unlike citizens, though, expats must pay all treatment expenses. Public facilities cost less than private clinics, but medical bills still weigh heavily if you don’t have local private insurance or an international health plan to cover emergencies.
Here are some health expenses you might face without insurance in Dubai:
| Medical service | Approximate costs | |
| Hospitalisation (per night in private hospital) | $800-3,000 (€740-2,770) | |
| Emergency care | $300-1,500 (€277-1,385) | |
| General practitioner visit | $50-150 (€46-138) | |
| Consultation with a specialist | $100-500 (€92-462) | |
| Basic dental check-up (cleaning, exam) | $80-300 (€74-277) | |
| Blood tests, general exams | $100-400 (€92-370) | |
| Minor surgery | $500-2,500 (€462-2,310) | |
Medical expenses in Dubai.
Telecom and internet prices in Dubai
Communication is essential in Dubai’s cost of living. Everyone needs connectivity, especially digital nomads or remote workers abroad. In Dubai, main telecom providers include Etisalat, Du, and Virgin Mobile. Here are some sample prices:
- Etisalat: Fixed internet 100Mbps-1Gbps from $100-200 (€95-184) monthly. Business mobile plan with 7.5GB, SMS, and call minutes from $100 (€95).
- Du: Home internet and TV plans from $95-190 (€87-175) monthly. Mobile plans start around $60 (€57).
- Virgin Mobile: Flexible mobile plans from $100 (€95) monthly. Home internet costs $410 (€391) yearly if prepaid.
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Entertainment activity costs in Dubai
Dubai feels futuristic and luxurious, with endless entertainment. The city invites spending, and it’s nearly impossible to resist indulgence. So, allocate part of your Dubai budget for iconic attractions and theme parks. Here are some prices:
- Burj Khalifa (floors 124-125): from $43 (€40).
- Atlantis Water Park: from $90 (€84).
- Museum of the Future: from $44 (€42).
- Dubai Frame: from $13 (€12).
- Dubai Safari Park: from $14 (€13).
- Global Village Dubai: from $7 (€6.80).
- IMG Worlds of Adventure: from $68 (€63).
- Dubai Aquarium: from $54 (€50).
For everyday fun, cinema tickets cost $12-15 (€11-14), theatre $50-100 (€46-95), and cocktails in nightclubs from $20 (€19). Prefer a movie night at home? Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ cost $9-10 (€8-9) monthly.
With all this information, you can now picture Dubai’s cost of living. It’s pricier than Tokyo but cheaper than Singapore. Start calculating, and if everything fits, prepare your journey to the United Arab Emirates.
