Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates — cost of living
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Trust 47
Country
United Arab Emirates
54
Relocation
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

About Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Costs exclude rent
Single / month
$842
Family of 4 / mo
$2,179
Avg salary (after tax)
$4,159

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates , known for its stunning modern architecture and rich culture. It sits on an island in the Persian Gulf and is famous for its beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels. One of the most iconic landmarks is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which features stunning white marble and intricate designs.

Data aggregated from public cost-of-living sources. See About for methodology.Wikipedia · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)· Updated May 22, 2026

Cost breakdown by category

Cost breakdown

Filters items shown below only — for a global search, use the bar in the header.

Fashion

  • Men's Dress ShoesUSD $122.22
  • Classic Jeans (e.g., Levi's 501)USD $67.8
  • Summer Dress from Chain Stores (e.g., Zara, H&M)USD $60.27
  • Midrange Nike Running ShoesUSD $115.75

Financial

  • Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed)USD $1.09
  • Average Monthly Salary After TaxUSD $4,162

Food - Beverages

  • Soft Drinks (350 ml Bottle)USD $1.22
  • Imported Beer (Small Bottle)USD $13.79
  • Local Draft Beer (Pint)USD $14.71
  • Bottled Water (350 ml)USD $0.43
  • CappuccinoUSD $6.49

Food - Dining

  • Casual Dining ExperienceUSD $9.2
  • Upscale Dinner for TwoUSD $73.56
  • Fast Food ComboUSD $11.04

Food - Grocery

  • Beef Round (1 kg)USD $16.7
  • Apples (1 kg)USD $2.76
  • Bananas (1 kg)USD $2.26
  • Oranges (1 kg)USD $2.11
  • Tomatoes (1 kg)USD $1.78
  • Potatoes (1 kg)USD $1.25
  • Onions (1 kg)USD $1.16
  • Lettuce (1 Head)USD $1.76
  • Bottled Water (1.5L)USD $0.76
  • Midrange Bottle of WineUSD $24.83
  • Marlboro (20-Pack)USD $8.09
  • Chicken Fillets (1 kg)USD $10.91
  • Local Cheese (1 kg)USD $12.28
  • Dozen EggsUSD $3.8
  • White Rice (1 kg)USD $2.41
  • Fresh White Bread (1 kg)USD $3.39
  • Milk (1 litre)USD $2.43

Housing

  • Average Cost per Square Foot for Apartments in City CenterUSD $405.96
  • Average Rent of 1-Bedroom Apartment in City CenterUSD $3,284
  • Average Rent of 1-Bedroom Apartment Outside City CenterUSD $1,578
  • Average Rent of 3-Bedroom Apartment in City CenterUSD $3,482
  • Average Rent of 3-Bedroom Apartment Outside City CenterUSD $2,690
  • Average Cost per Square Foot for Apartments Outside City CenterUSD $313.83

Leisure

  • Monthly Fee for Fitness Club Membership (1 Adult)USD $95.62
  • Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend)USD $44.01
  • Cinema Ticket (International Release)USD $16.55
  • Monthly Fee for Private Kindergarten (1 Child)USD $803.79
  • Yearly Cost for International Primary School (1 Child)USD $13,053

Transportation

  • Average Taxi Fare for 1 kmUSD $1.19
  • Average Rate to Start a Taxi RideUSD $4.42
  • Average Price of a New Compact Hatchback CarUSD $31,079
  • 1 Hour Taxi WaitUSD $10.12
  • Average Monthly Cost of Public Transport PassUSD $29.43
  • Average Price of a New Sedan CarUSD $27,500
  • One-Way Local Transport FareUSD $0.73

Utilities (Monthly)

  • Internet Service (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited)USD $142.69
  • Average Monthly Cost for Essential Utilities in a 915 sq. ft. ApartmentUSD $206.66

Costs reflect a typical lifestyle in each place, excluding rent unless stated. Numbers are a starting point — always cross-check before big decisions.

  • Single / Family of 4 toggle. Family ≈ 2.7× single when no verified figure exists.
  • Estimated values use a ~ prefix and an "Estimated" label.
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How we calculate these numbers

When local data is missing (e.g. salary for a smaller city), we estimate from peer cities in the same country using a median ratio.

Full methodology, assumptions, and formulas live on our About page.