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

Dubai ranks #72 out of 577 cities globally. It is 23.7% more expensive than the United Arab Emirates average, based on 5 cities. The rent index is 52.3 and local purchasing power is 113.0.

What is the average rent in Dubai?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Dubai city centre costs approximately AED 8,842 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to AED 5,559 (saving 37%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around AED 16,576.

Is Dubai affordable to live in?

Dubai is expensive by global standards. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are very expensive, and local purchasing power is strong. Workers in United Arab Emirates earning AED 207,840 gross take home approximately AED 17,320 per month after tax.

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · 2026

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Dubai

23.7% boven het United Arab Emirates-gemiddelde

Gerangschikt op #72 van 577 steden · Duurder dan 87.5% van de steden wereldwijd

+23.7%

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+39.5%

Huur

+10.8%

Boodschappen

+11.0%

Koopkracht

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

Huurprijzen in Dubai

Appartement	Stadscentrum	Buiten het Centrum	Je Bespaart
1-Kamer	AED 8,842/mo ≈ $2,407	AED 5,559/mo ≈ $1,514	37%
3-Kamer	AED 16,576/mo ≈ $4,513	AED 10,849/mo ≈ $2,954	35%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Dubai has a cost of living index of 56.9 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 4 of 4 data sources.

56.9

Index

Sources

5.0

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

58.1

Expatistan

55.0

LivingCost

59.8

ShouldIMove price index

54.8

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

Eurostat Validation (EU27 = 100) Gov. Data

Eurostat

118.8

Based on 108 country PLI x 1.1 city factor

View all 577 cities | Data last updated: 2026-03-18

Kostenindexen

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+23.7% Very expensive

Huur

+39.5% Very expensive

Boodschappen

+10.8% Expensive

Restaurants

+36.5% Very expensive

Koopkracht

+11.0% Strong

Wonen in Dubai: Wat te Verwachten

Dubai is expensive naar wereldwijde maatstaven (positie #72 van 577 steden). 23.7% duurder dan het United Arab Emirates-gemiddelde, gebaseerd op 5 steden.

Boodschappen zijn expensive, terwijl uit eten very expensive is. Groceries biedt de beste waarde, terwijl Rent het duurst is.

Werknemers in United Arab Emirates met AED 207,840 bruto ontvangen AED 17,320/maand netto na belasting (effectief tarief: 0%%). Bekijk de volledige United Arab Emirates belastingcalculator →