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Abu Dhabi vs London

Abu Dhabi runs about 37% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,090 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
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+37%
London relative to Abu Dhabi
Rent gap
$900
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Abu DhabiLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Abu Dhabi $1,700, London $2,600. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Food
    Food: Abu Dhabi $597, London $617. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Transport
    Transport: Abu Dhabi $83, London $282. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Abu Dhabi $255, London $267. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Abu Dhabi $42, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi $191, London $169. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: Abu Dhabi $93, London $107. 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 DhabiLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost2,960 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)46✓63
Housing1,700 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities255 USD✓267 USD
Food597 USD✓617 USD
Transport83 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare42 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle191 USD169 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD✓5,953 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%✓28.6%
Left over each month5,373 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary3,900 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓66/100
Healthcare80/10084/100✓
Air quality52/10060/100✓
Public transport55/10092/100✓
Walkability45/10090/100✓
English proficiency86/100100/100✓
Nightlife66/10094/100✓
Family friendliness80/100✓72/100
Median broadband290 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C12°C✓
Summer high42°C23°C✓
Winter low14°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall60 mm✓600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓90 min
CurrencyAEDGBP
Time zoneAsia/DubaiEurope/London

Abu Dhabi runs about 37% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,090 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Abu DhabiCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Abu Dhabi vs DohaAbu Dhabi vs DubaiAbu Dhabi vs Tel Aviv
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Abu Dhabi or London cheaper?

Abu Dhabi runs about 37% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,090 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Abu Dhabi and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Abu Dhabi scores 92/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Abu Dhabi averages 28°C against 12°C in London.