Wondering how far your salary goes in Abu Dhabi? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed apartment (Reem/Corniche)AED 60,000-90,000 / yr (paid in 1-4 cheques)
Meal, mid-range restaurantAED 70-130
CoffeeAED 18
Litre of petrolAED 2.60
Taxi (base fare)AED 12
Est. single-person monthlyAED 3,500 (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~1.5 million (city), ~4 million (emirate)
Official language
Arabic (English is the lingua franca)
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED), pegged to USD (~3.67)
Work week
Monday–Friday (Sat–Sun weekend)
Power plug
Type G, 230V
Personal income tax
None
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Abu Dhabi checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.