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
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
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.