Tax-free salary helps! But rent is THE biggest expense. Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Sharjah comparison.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (Studio/1BR) | AED 2,500-4K | AED 5K-8K | AED 10K-25K+ |
| Food | AED 800-1.5K | AED 1.5K-3K | AED 3K-6K+ |
| Transport | AED 300-500 | AED 800-1.5K | AED 2K-5K |
| Utilities (DEWA) | AED 400-700 | AED 700-1.2K | AED 1.2K-2.5K |
| Total | AED 4K-7K | AED 8K-14K | AED 16K-40K+ |
AED 1 ≈ $0.27 USD. Sharjah = 30-40% cheaper rent than Dubai. Abu Dhabi = slightly cheaper than Dubai.
Shawarma: AED 5-10
Biryani plate: AED 12-20
Cafeteria meal: AED 10-15
Karak chai:
AED 1-2
Indian restaurant: AED 15-25
• Carrefour: Best value
• Lulu Hypermarket: Popular
•
Spinneys: Premium
• Milk (1L): AED 5-7
• Rice (5kg): AED 15-25
•
Chicken (1kg): AED 12-18
Mid-range: AED 50-100
Fine dining: AED 300-600+
Brunch (Friday): AED
200-500+
Coffee: AED 15-25
Alcohol: Expensive! AED 40-80