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Abu Dhabi vs Melbourne

Abu Dhabi runs about 5% cheaper than Melbourne for this household, a difference of 160 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
melbourne from shrine of rememberance
Melbourne
$3,119/month · Australia
Melbpal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Melbourne monthly
$3,119
Index 49 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+5%
Melbourne relative to Abu Dhabi
Rent gap
$0
Melbourne costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Abu DhabiMelbourne
  • Housing
    Housing: Abu Dhabi $1,700, Melbourne $1,700. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Food
    Food: Abu Dhabi $597, Melbourne $804. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Transport
    Transport: Abu Dhabi $83, Melbourne $180. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Abu Dhabi $255, Melbourne $153. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Abu Dhabi $42, Melbourne $26. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi $191, Melbourne $152. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Other
    Other: Abu Dhabi $93, Melbourne $105. 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 DhabiMelbourne
Cost
Total monthly cost2,960 USD✓3,119 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)46✓49
Housing1,700 USD1,700 USD
Utilities255 USD153 USD✓
Food597 USD✓804 USD
Transport83 USD✓180 USD
Healthcare42 USD26 USD✓
Lifestyle191 USD152 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD✓6,176 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%✓25.9%
Left over each month5,373 USD✓3,057 USD
Average local net salary3,900 USD✓3,700 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD1,700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD3,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD✓8,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓74/100
Healthcare80/10088/100✓
Air quality52/10086/100✓
Public transport55/10084/100✓
Walkability45/10082/100✓
English proficiency86/100100/100✓
Nightlife66/10092/100✓
Family friendliness80/10084/100✓
Median broadband290 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C15°C✓
Summer high42°C26°C✓
Winter low14°C✓6°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h✓2,200 h
Annual rainfall60 mm✓650 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓25 min
CurrencyAEDAUD
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAustralia/Melbourne

Abu Dhabi runs about 5% cheaper than Melbourne for this household, a difference of 160 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Abu Dhabi or Melbourne cheaper?

Abu Dhabi runs about 5% cheaper than Melbourne for this household, a difference of 160 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Abu Dhabi and $6,176 in Melbourne, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Abu Dhabi scores 92/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Melbourne scores 74 and 88. Abu Dhabi averages 28°C against 15°C in Melbourne.