What is the Cost of Living in Dubai for Expats in 2022? (2023)

FAQs

What is the cost of living in Dubai for expats in 2022? ›

Not factoring in housing costs, the monthly cost of living in Dubai in 2022 is about $950 per person. A family of 4 will need about $3,260 per month. As a comparison, a single person living in London will need about $1,200 a month for living expenses. In New York, it's slightly more expensive: $1,370 per month.

Let's begin. If you don't want to read the whole blog, here is the bottom line; a salary of AED 10,000 - 15,000 (USD 2,700 - 4,000) a month is considered pretty decent with the potential to save a good amount, while a salary of AED 15,000 - 20,000 (USD 4,000 - 5,400) per month and more is considered very attractive.

Around 80% of the emirate's population is made up of expatriates, partly because of the high quality of life and the attractive salaries. The average salary in Dubai is AED 21,500 per month, which is equivalent to USD $5,853. The salary of a worker in Dubai is therefore on average higher than in Western countries.

The expected salary ranges from 12,000-45,000. Emirates Chalhoub group, Deloitte, Al Tamimi & Company, and Kharafi National are the top companies for sales in Dubai. Sales jobs are one of the in-demand jobs in Dubai.

Renting a House or Apartment

The average rent in the UAE ranges between 30,000 to 50,000 AED (8,100 to 13,600 USD) per year for a studio apartment. One-and two-bedroom apartments range between 70,000 and 100,000 AED (19,000–27,220 USD).

Minimum Wage

No high school certificate- 3,000 AED. High school certificate- 4,000 AED. College degree or higher- 5,000 AED.

Al Barsha is one of the most popular destinations for expats moving to Dubai. Because of its close proximity to 2 of the major roads, Al Barsha is easily commutable for workers in Media City, Internet City and Emaar Business Park.

1-bedroom flats for sale in Dubai cost upwards of AED 239k in neighbourhoods like Dubailand and can go up to 6M in The World Islands. 2 BHK flats in Dubai can be bought for prices of over AED 440k in communities such as Liwan and AED 720k in Dubai Marina.

Is moving to Dubai worth it? ›

With tax-free income and just 5% VAT on goods and services, Dubai offers the rare chance to enjoy life, take a comfortable vacation once in a while and boost your savings all at once. All these factors have made this city a perfect place to live and invest your money.

aed 500 dhs per day will be more than enough for food and transportation.

The short answer is no.

Living Expenses in the UAE

The average cost of living for family of four is about about 12,000 AED per month (3,000 USD). Without rent, this includes items such as groceries, transport, leisure activity, and eating out at restaurants. A single person can expect to pay about 3,000 AED (800 USD).

According to local analytical agencies, the minimum wage in the UAE in 2022 ranges from 600-3000 dirhams per month, which is equivalent to 165-815 U.S. dollars.

UAE visa you can get without a job. Although a majority of the expats, which accounts for about 85 percent of the UAE's population, work as an employee in the country and require a work visa to live here, there has, however, been a noteworthy expansion of the visa scheme as announced by the UAE government.

UAE visa on arrival

Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International and proceed to immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30‑day visit visa free of charge.

Absence of taxation

There is currently no personal income tax in the United Arab Emirates. As such, there are no individual tax registration or reporting obligations.

Is food expensive in Dubai? ›

The main dish in Dubai restaurants usually cost around 40 – 100 AED (10-25 EUR). Sandwiches and burgers cost 35 – 55 AED (9-14 EUR). Appetizers and desserts cost around 20-40 AED (5-10 EUR). Of course, there are always exceptions, from cheap street food stands to upscale restaurants.

The average hourly wage in Dubai is AED 19.50, which is about $5.27 USD.

5 lakhs or above in the form of fixed deposit in the banks or post office. Documents required: Income Tax returns, salary slips of the last 6 months, pan card or fixed deposit receipt.

While the UAE does not offer a permanent visa or residency, expats can apply for the long-term visas, which have a validity of 10 or 5 years. These visas are also renewable, if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Dubai's population dropped by 8.4% last year, the steepest decline in the Gulf region, as expatriate workers were forced to leave amid the economic upheaval wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, S&P Global Ratings said.

Overall, however, 71 per cent of foreign workers are happy with their life in the UAE, the survey says. “Once they arrive [in the UAE], over three in five expats have no problem dealing with the local bureaucracy/authorities, 21 percentage points more than the global average [of 40 per cent],” it adds.

What is the average cost of a one bedroom apartment in Dubai? ›

So, a one-bedroom unit in the most prestigious areas like Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah ranges from $127,000 to 750$ for the most affordable options. The prices of more expensive units start at $1,000,000. Options in less prestigious areas like International City or Dubailand cost from $70,000 to $260,000.

Even though it's not very common, you can find rental properties in Dubai with monthly payment plans. Paying rent in Dubai every month may bring you convenience, but at the same time, they come at a premium. You end up paying higher in the long run than you would if you opted for a single cheque.

Monthly-paid apartments in Dubai are available in some of the most iconic communities in the city, so you also have an advantage of discovering what life will be like.

Its economy is vibrant and diverse and generates revenue in various ways. It includes manufacturing, providing services, and tourism. So, unlike its neighbors, whose economies rely on oil, Dubai has a diversified economic base resting on finance, trade, transportation, tourism, oil, and technology industries.

The general rule regarding dressing in public in Dubai is to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and your knees. It's best to refrain from wearing clothing that is too tight or too revealing for both men and women. It's a good idea to carry a light sweater or shawl when going out in public places.

Cost of food in Dubai per day

The average cost of food in Dubai is around $40 per day. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, you can easily find meals for less than $10 per day if you are on a budget.

You should plan to spend around AED729 ($198) per day on your vacation in Dubai, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, AED164 ($45) on meals for one day and AED38 ($10) on local transportation.

For less than 2 yrs experience in your field, AED 7K looks just about average or below it.

In line with international criteria and global best practices, when entering or exiting the UAE, you are required to declare cash, or any other financial instrument exceeding AED 100,000. There is no restriction on the amount of cash that you may carry.

Is 6000 dirham a good salary? ›

But if it includes accomodation allowance and transportation allowance then u should think about it twice. 6000 + accomodation + transport = GREAT !

On average, $100 USD will get travelers one or two things from a shopping trip in Dubai. It's not unusual for a pair of jeans (especially designer brands) to cost close to that entire budget, or even a pair of Nikes to cost nearly $100 USD.

It's completely up to how your way of living is. I would say that, 5000 AED is a pretty good start for a new comer to Dubai. As there is transport and accommodation the only expenses would be food and a little bit of lavish living.. If it's your first time, go for it!

Average rents for apartments rose 4 per cent from the first quarter of 2022, while villa rents increased 6 per cent, according to property consultancy Asteco.

Financial criteria

A sustainable yearly income of at least AED180,000 (approx. US$49,000), which equates to AED15,000 (approx. US$4,100) per month.

The tax-free salaries in Dubai make it one of the best places to build one's future. For most expats who come to Dubai looking for greater opportunities, the tax-free income eventually means more possibility to increase your savings and a compelling reason to move to Dubai.

Despite the uncertainty of a rising interest rate in UAE, analysts still believe that the Real estate Dubai 2023 will continue to grow strongly. In addition, a lack of affordable housing will continue to push up rents, resulting in a rising overall cost of living.

“2021 was remarkable for its deal volume, but 2022 year-to-date is explosive, surpassing transactional volume by, or shying away from, a 100 per cent when comparing month-on-month data,” says Hisham El Assaad, Head of Sales at AX CAPITAL, a leading real estate agency that deals in luxury properties in Dubai.

Good Rental Yields

One of the key advantages of buying a property in Dubai is the high ROI offered for buyers and investors. Most key neighbourhoods in the city offer ROI of over 6% when it comes to apartment sales and the villa communities generally offer rental returns of over 4%.

“From the immigration standpoint, the retirement age for foreigners in the UAE is either above the age of 55 or after the completion of at least 15 years of service. This is in accordance with Article 52 (1) of UAE Cabinet Decision No. 65 of 2022 on foreigners' entry and residency.

What age do people retire in Dubai? ›

Eligibility for pension

Additionally, as per Article 16 of the federal pension law, an employee is entitled to pension if: he completes 20 years of service and. is at least 50 years of age.

In the years following retirement, 85 per cent of annual income each year is considered an average starting point for planning savings. However, if you plan to retire in an expensive city or intend to travel, this percentage can go as high as 100 per cent of your last drawn income.

Renting a House or Apartment

The average rent in the UAE ranges between 30,000 to 50,000 AED (8,100 to 13,600 USD) per year for a studio apartment. One-and two-bedroom apartments range between 70,000 and 100,000 AED (19,000–27,220 USD).