Travel budget and cost of living in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) how much does a trip cost?

Dubai travel budget

Dubai: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Dubai

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Dubai for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Dubai compared to United Arab Emirates in 2021

On average, the cost of living in Dubai in 2021 is 13% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Dubai in 2021 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Dubai by expense type

Restaurant budget in Dubai

Lunch

$ 8.8/person
($ 4.4 to $ 18)

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39% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

3 course dinner

$ 30/person
($ 15 to $ 60)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 28

McDonald's meal

$ 8.2/person
($ 5.9 to $ 10.3)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.9

Local beer

$ 14 for 500ml
($ 7.4 to $ 17)

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171% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Imported beer

$ 4.7 for 330ml
($ 2.4 to $ 12)

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72% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Cappuccino

$ 5.4/cup
($ 3.6 to $ 7.4)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.2

Fizzy drink

$ 1/can
($ 0.6 to $ 2.4)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Water bottle

$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.4 to $ 1.2)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.5

Hotel and accommodation budget in Dubai

1-star hotel

$ 87/night
($ 47 to $ 179)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 109

2-star hotel

$ 83/night
($ 55 to $ 118)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 126

3-star hotel

$ 89/night
($ 65 to $ 127)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 180

4-star hotel

$ 126/night
($ 79 to $ 204)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 262

5-star hotel

$ 326/night
($ 151 to $ 634)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 510

Hotel/Youth Hostel

$ 64/month
($ 54 to $ 71)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 122

Room with kitchen

$ 195/month
($ 97 to $ 345)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 169

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 228/month
($ 100 to $ 450)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

Cottage or guest house

$ 208/month
($ 109 to $ 386)

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6% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

Family room

$ 285/month
($ 120 to $ 562)

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64% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

Supermarket food budget in Dubai

Milk

$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 3.1)

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111% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.8

Bread

$ 1.3/500g
($ 0.7 to $ 2.4)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Rice

$ 1.9/kg
($ 1 to $ 4.4)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Eggs

$ 3.1/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 5.9)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Cheese

$ 13/kg
($ 5.3 to $ 30)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Chicken

$ 8.2/kg
($ 4.7 to $ 15)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 8.9

Apples

$ 2.4/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 4.2)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Oranges

$ 1.8/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 3.6)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Tomatoes

$ 1.6/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 3.6)

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62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.2

Potatoes

$ 1.2/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.8)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6

Salad

$ 1.7/salad
($ 0.8 to $ 3)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6

Water bottle

$ 0.7
($ 0.5 to $ 1.4)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.8

Joint of beef

$ 13/kg
($ 6.2 to $ 26)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Public and private transport budget in Dubai

Bus ticket

$ 1.8/ticket
($ 0.8 to $ 3)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Bus pass

$ 81/month
($ 46 to $ 119)

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15% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 70

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.6/km
($ 0.4 to $ 1.2)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.6

Petrol

$ 0.7/litre
($ 0.6 to $ 0.8)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.7

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.6
($ 1.4 to $ 3.8)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Car hire

$ 21/24hrs
($ 1.2 to $ 120)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 40

Budget for living and housing in Dubai

Electricity, water...

$ 189/month
($ 104 to $ 296)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161

Mobile phone

$ 0.1/min.
($ 0.1 to $ 0.4)

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10% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.1

Broadband internet

$ 108/month
($ 60 to $ 149)

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66% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 65

Studio flat (city centre)

$ 1634/month
($ 1004 to $ 2362)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1333

Studio flat (suburbs)

$ 1076/month
($ 739 to $ 1476)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1070

Flat (centre)

$ 3319/month
($ 2066 to $ 5015)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2126

Flat (suburbs)

$ 2283/month
($ 1476 to $ 3541)

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35% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1695

Gym

$ 84/month
($ 46 to $ 149)

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124% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

Private nursery

$ 591/month
($ 267 to $ 1181)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 923

Private primary school

$ 10960/yr
($ 5606 to $ 17700)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15597

Leisure activity budget in Dubai

Cinema

$ 14/ticket
($ 10.3 to $ 18)

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13% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Tennis

$ 35/hr
($ 14 to $ 60)

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122% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Dubai

Cigarettes

$ 6.2/pack
($ 5.6 to $ 7.4)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.9

Levi's jeans

$ 67
($ 30 to $ 134)

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49% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 45

Summer dress

$ 57
($ 28 to $ 104)

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57% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 36

Trainers

$ 104
($ 60 to $ 161)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 76

Leather shoes

$ 106
($ 46 to $ 193)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 95

Plane ticket budget

Manchester → Dubai

$ 544
(fair price: $ 447)

London → Dubai

$ 422
(fair price: $ 373)

Dublin → Dubai

$ 536
(fair price: $ 431)

New York City → Dubai

$ 958
(fair price: $ 809)

Edinburgh → Dubai

$ 563
(fair price: $ 481)

Los Angeles → Dubai

$ 1033
(fair price: $ 856)

Toronto (Ontario) → Dubai

$ 1081
(fair price: $ 867)

Melbourne → Dubai

$ 1145
(fair price: $ 905)

Sydney → Dubai

$ 1205
(fair price: $ 936)

Montreal → Dubai

$ 1038
(fair price: $ 909)

Perth → Dubai

$ 1199
(fair price: $ 989)

Auckland → Dubai

$ 1444
(fair price: $ 1064)