How expensive is Abu Dhabi compared to the rest of United Arab Emirates?

Abu Dhabi ranks #160 out of 577 cities globally. It is 6.1% more expensive than the United Arab Emirates average, based on 5 cities. The rent index is 45.8 and local purchasing power is 106.9.

What is the average rent in Abu Dhabi?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Abu Dhabi city centre costs approximately AED 7,222 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to AED 5,140 (saving 29%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around AED 14,243.

Is Abu Dhabi affordable to live in?

Abu Dhabi is expensive by global standards. Groceries are average, restaurants are average, and local purchasing power is average. Workers in United Arab Emirates earning AED 205,887 gross take home approximately AED 17,157 per month after tax.

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · 2026

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Abu Dhabi

6.1% boven het United Arab Emirates-gemiddelde

Gerangschikt op #160 van 577 steden · Duurder dan 72.3% van de steden wereldwijd

+6.1%

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+22.1%

Huur

+7.7%

Boodschappen

+5.0%

Koopkracht

Vergeleken met het United Arab Emirates-gemiddelde · United Arab Emirates-ranking bekijken →

Huurprijzen in Abu Dhabi

Appartement	Stadscentrum	Buiten het Centrum	Je Bespaart
1-Kamer	AED 7,222/mo ≈ $1,966	AED 5,140/mo ≈ $1,400	29%
3-Kamer	AED 14,243/mo ≈ $3,878	AED 10,050/mo ≈ $2,737	29%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Abu Dhabi has a cost of living index of 48.8 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

48.8

Index

Sources

4.9

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

51.1

Expatistan

49.0

LivingCost

46.2

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Kostenindexen

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+6.1% Average

Huur

+22.1% Very expensive

Boodschappen

+7.7% Average

Restaurants

+7.3% Average

Koopkracht

+5.0% Average

Wonen in Abu Dhabi: Wat te Verwachten

Abu Dhabi is expensive naar wereldwijde maatstaven (positie #160 van 577 steden). 6.1% duurder dan het United Arab Emirates-gemiddelde, gebaseerd op 5 steden.

Boodschappen zijn average, terwijl uit eten average is. Restaurants biedt de beste waarde, terwijl Rent het duurst is.

Werknemers in United Arab Emirates met AED 205,887 bruto ontvangen AED 17,157/maand netto na belasting (effectief tarief: 0%%). Bekijk de volledige United Arab Emirates belastingcalculator →