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Abu Dhabi vs Dubai

Abu Dhabi runs about 15% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 457 USD a month.

View of the beach at the Beach Rotana hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
$2,960/month · United Arab Emirates
Jpbowen · CC BY-SA 4.0
The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+15%
Dubai relative to Abu Dhabi
Rent gap
$400
Dubai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Abu DhabiDubai
  • Housing
    Housing: Abu Dhabi $1,700, Dubai $2,100. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Food
    Food: Abu Dhabi $597, Dubai $620. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Transport
    Transport: Abu Dhabi $83, Dubai $92. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Abu Dhabi $255, Dubai $264. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Abu Dhabi $42, Dubai $44. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi $191, Dubai $199. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Other
    Other: Abu Dhabi $93, Dubai $98. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAbu DhabiDubai
Cost
Total monthly cost2,960 USD✓3,417 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)46✓54
Housing1,700 USD✓2,100 USD
Utilities255 USD✓264 USD
Food597 USD✓620 USD
Transport83 USD✓92 USD
Healthcare42 USD✓44 USD
Lifestyle191 USD✓199 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD8,333 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%0.0%
Left over each month5,373 USD✓4,917 USD
Average local net salary3,900 USD✓3,800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD✓2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD✓4,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD✓5,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓88/100
Healthcare80/10080/100
Air quality52/100✓48/100
Public transport55/10072/100✓
Walkability45/10055/100✓
English proficiency86/10088/100✓
Nightlife66/10086/100✓
Family friendliness80/100✓76/100
Median broadband290 Mbps300 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high42°C41°C✓
Winter low14°C15°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,500 h✓
Annual rainfall60 mm✓90 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access15 min15 min
CurrencyAEDAED
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAsia/Dubai

Abu Dhabi runs about 15% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 457 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Abu DhabiCost of living in DubaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Abu Dhabi vs DohaAbu Dhabi vs Tel AvivAbu Dhabi vs Riyadh
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Abu Dhabi or Dubai cheaper?

Abu Dhabi runs about 15% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 457 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Dubai compared with Abu Dhabi?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Abu Dhabi and $8,333 in Dubai, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

Abu Dhabi scores 92/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Dubai scores 88 and 80. Abu Dhabi averages 28°C against 28°C in Dubai.