Skip to content

Melbourne vs Abu Dhabi

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

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

Where the gap actually is

MelbourneAbu Dhabi
  • Housing
    Housing: Melbourne $1,700, Abu Dhabi $1,700. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Food
    Food: Melbourne $804, Abu Dhabi $597. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Transport
    Transport: Melbourne $180, Abu Dhabi $83. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Melbourne $153, Abu Dhabi $255. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Melbourne $26, Abu Dhabi $42. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Melbourne $152, Abu Dhabi $191. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Other
    Other: Melbourne $105, 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

MetricMelbourneAbu Dhabi
Cost
Total monthly cost3,119 USD2,960 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4946✓
Housing1,700 USD1,700 USD
Utilities153 USD✓255 USD
Food804 USD597 USD✓
Transport180 USD83 USD✓
Healthcare26 USD✓42 USD
Lifestyle152 USD✓191 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate25.9%0.0%✓
Left over each month3,057 USD5,373 USD✓
Average local net salary3,700 USD3,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD1,700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD✓3,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,500 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/10092/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓80/100
Air quality86/100✓52/100
Public transport84/100✓55/100
Walkability82/100✓45/100
English proficiency100/100✓86/100
Nightlife92/100✓66/100
Family friendliness84/100✓80/100
Median broadband90 Mbps290 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓28°C
Summer high26°C✓42°C
Winter low6°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,200 h3,400 h✓
Annual rainfall650 mm60 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access25 min15 min✓
CurrencyAUDAED
Time zoneAustralia/MelbourneAsia/Dubai

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

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in MelbourneCost of living in Abu DhabiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Melbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs AucklandMelbourne vs Sydney
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Melbourne or Abu Dhabi 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 Abu Dhabi compared with Melbourne?

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

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

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