Wondering how far your salary goes in Dubai? 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 (center)AED 6,000-9,000 / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurantAED 60-90
CoffeeAED 20
Monthly transit pass (Nol)AED 300
Est. single-person monthlyAED 4,000-4,500 (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~3.7 million (emirate)
Official language
Arabic (English near-universal)
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED), pegged to USD
Work week
Monday-Friday (Sat-Sun weekend)
Power plug
Type G, 230V
Tipping
10% common; often a service charge already added
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 Dubai checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.