Skip to content

Dubai vs Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi runs about 13% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 457 USD a month.

The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
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
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-13%
Abu Dhabi relative to Dubai
Rent gap
$400
Dubai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DubaiAbu Dhabi
  • Housing
    Housing: Dubai $2,100, Abu Dhabi $1,700. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Food
    Food: Dubai $620, Abu Dhabi $597. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Transport
    Transport: Dubai $92, Abu Dhabi $83. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Dubai $264, Abu Dhabi $255. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Dubai $44, Abu Dhabi $42. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Dubai $199, Abu Dhabi $191. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Other
    Other: Dubai $98, Abu Dhabi $93. 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

MetricDubaiAbu Dhabi
Cost
Total monthly cost3,417 USD2,960 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5446✓
Housing2,100 USD1,700 USD✓
Utilities264 USD255 USD✓
Food620 USD597 USD✓
Transport92 USD83 USD✓
Healthcare44 USD42 USD✓
Lifestyle199 USD191 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD8,333 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%0.0%
Left over each month4,917 USD5,373 USD✓
Average local net salary3,800 USD3,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD1,700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,200 USD3,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre5,200 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety88/10092/100✓
Healthcare80/10080/100
Air quality48/10052/100✓
Public transport72/100✓55/100
Walkability55/100✓45/100
English proficiency88/100✓86/100
Nightlife86/100✓66/100
Family friendliness76/10080/100✓
Median broadband300 Mbps✓290 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high41°C✓42°C
Winter low15°C✓14°C
Sunshine hours per year3,500 h✓3,400 h
Annual rainfall90 mm60 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access15 min15 min
CurrencyAEDAED
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAsia/Dubai

Abu Dhabi runs about 13% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 457 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in DubaiCost of living in Abu DhabiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Dubai vs Tel AvivDubai vs DohaDubai vs Riyadh
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Dubai or Abu Dhabi cheaper?

Abu Dhabi runs about 13% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 457 USD a month.

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

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

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

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