Cost of living in Dubai: Real budgets for 2026

Considering expatriation without mastering the cost of living in Dubaiï risk turning your tax advantage into a financial trap in the face of soaring rents and incompressible expenses. This analysis details every budget item for 2026, from the price of the average shopping basket to exorbitant tuition fees, in order to determine the exact salary required to secure your standard of living. Here you'll find practical price tables and simulations for each profile, so you can build a solid business plan and avoid the cash-flow mistakes that can be fatal for newcomers.

Reference budgets for living in Dubai in 2026

Three living standards, three distinct budgets

The cost of living in Dubai depends radically on your own lifestyle. There are three clear levels: minimum to get you started, comfortable and premium to really enjoy.

For a single person minimum monthly budget of between AED 12,000 and AED 14,000. To live without counting every dirham, aim for a comfortable budget of between AED 15,000 and AED 22,000.

This represents around €3,000 to €3,500 for the minimum, and up to €5,500 for comfort (1 AED ≈ 0.25 EUR).

Budget for a couple and a family

A childless couple will do just fine with a comfortable budget of between AED 22,000 and AED 35,000. This equates to around €5,500 - €8,750 a month for an excellent quality of life.

With two children, the equation changes abruptly because of school fees. A comfortable budget immediately climbs to between AED 40,000 and AED 50,000 per month. That's €10,000 to €12,500 to maintain this standard.

These key figures include total current expenditure which we will explain in more detail below.

2026 context: inflation and the property market

The economic environment is getting tighter, with overall inflation expected to rise to +2.9% this year. Despite 90,000 new homes being delivered, you can expect a 8% pressure on rents. Supply is increasing, but demand remains fierce.

Housing, an item of expenditure to look at here

Price ranges and charges to anticipate

Let's be straightforward: the housing absorbs 30 to 55% of the budget and dictates your cost of living in dubai. A studio starts at around AED 5,500, a 1-bedroom flat at around AED 8,500 and a 2-bedroom from AED 12,000 in standard neighbourhoods.

Plan to use post-dated cheques (1, 2 or 4 for the year). This local specificity requires substantial initial cash flow, It's a far cry from the traditional monthly payment you're used to.

Don't be fooled by the face rent alone. Hidden charges (DEWA, air conditioning, service charges) can add up to 40% of the rent. This is a massive financial impact which we absolutely must anticipate.

To find out more about rents

It's impossible to detail the nuances of each area here (JVC, Marina, Downtown...) without turning this section into an encyclopaedia. Each district has its own traps.

The cost of shopping in Dubai: how much does a full fridge really cost?

With rent out of the way, let's move on to a very real, everyday expense: food.

Shopping budget: big differences depending on your habits

Think you've got your budget under control? Wait until you see the food budget. For a single person, the monthly shopping budget is between AED 900 and AED 1,400, while a family will need to budget between AED 2,000 and AED 3,500. But be careful: if you refuse to change your habits and only eat imported products, you'll need to be careful, this amount will instantly double.

Here, two worlds coexist. On the one hand, local produce (fruit, vegetables, chicken) is very affordable. On the other, products imported from Europe - especially cheese and cold meats - are extremely expensive. Your final bill will also depend radically on the chain you choose: Carrefour or Lulu will save you the day, unlike Spinneys or Waitrose.

The price of your supermarket basket

Let's take a close look at the labels to avoid any surprises. For everyday use, plan on 1L of milk (7 AED) and a dozen eggs (12 AED). The back of the cupboard remains stable with 1kg of rice (8 AED) and a 500g pack of pasta (7 AED). These bases are not a drain on the budget.

Fresh side, prices vary according to origin. A kilo of bananas (7 AED) and 1kg of apples (10 AED) are still reasonable. Basic vegetables such as 1kg of tomatoes (6 AED) or 1kg of potatoes (4 AED) are very economical if you buy locally.

Protein is where the bill goes up. While 1kg of chicken breast (30 AED) is reasonable, 1kg of minced beef (45 AED) is more expensive. Fancy some fresh salmon (100 AED/kg)? The high cost of quality meat often comes as a surprise to newcomers.

The cost of imported products and pleasures

This is the classic trap of the nostalgic expatriate: the « price shock »A quality Camembert is becoming a luxury, as is a packet of cured ham. A quality camembert (AED 40) is becoming a luxury, as is a packet of cured ham (AED 50). Even a traditional baguette (12 AED) is a burden on the final bill.

For hydration, a 1.5-litre bottle of water (2 AED) is provided. On the other hand, alcohol is heavily taxed A bottle of entry-level wine from a specialist shop (AED 70) is a minimum. Don't forget that a liquor licence is required to buy your bottles.

Finally, food is your major adjustment variable. You have a choice: eat locally and cheaply by adapting your recipes, or stick to your European habits and see what you can eat. your budget explode. It's a question of financial discipline.

Getting around the city: car or public transport?

The fridge is full, now it's time to get moving. In Dubai, the’trade-off between private car and public transport often dictated by the weather.

The car: a near-indispensable with a controlled budget

Let's be honest: the car is almost compulsory here. Between the sweltering summer heat and the huge distances involved, it's a matter of survival, especially if you have a family.

The good news is the price at the pump. With a litre costing around AED 3, a full tank costs around AED 150. For 1,500 km, expect to pay a derisory fuel budget of AED 250-400 (62-100 €).

But that's not all. Add insurance, maintenance and, above all Salik tolls, which can quickly add up to.

Purchase, rental and ancillary costs

For new arrivals, the long-term leasing is often the wisest choice. You can get a small saloon for AED 1,500 - 2,500 a month (€375-625), with insurance and maintenance already included in the price.

If you prefer to buy, the the second-hand market is extremely dynamic and full of bargains.

The alternative of public transport and taxis

The public network (metro, bus, tram) is impeccable Clean, safe and air-conditioned. It works with the rechargeable NOL card. An average metro journey will cost you just AED 5-7 (€1.25-1.75), which is still very competitive.

The problem? The network doesn't serve residential areas very well. Taxis and VTCs (Careem, Uber) are available everywhere and are cheaper than in France, but their daily use is more difficult. will make your transport budget explode very quickly.

Health, a non-negotiable priority with a high budget

After calculating your daily expenses, let's tackle a financial pillar often underestimated by newcomers, but which can ruin your expatriation if badly anticipated: health.

Health insurance: a legal obligation

Forget the convenience of the Carte Vitale. Here, health insurance is compulsory to obtain your resident visa in Dubai. There is no free public system comparable to French social security: everything is private and chargeable.

Although your employer is legally obliged to provide you with basic cover, this does not generally extend to your family. The quality of this cover varies widely, taking out supplementary insurance is often essential to be well protected.

Cost of consultations and insurance

Without cover, access to healthcare becomes an immediate luxury. A simple visit to a general practitioner costs between AED 250 and AED 600 (around €63 to €150), while a specialist will charge you between AED 350 and AED 900 (€88 to €225).

Insurance premiums weigh heavily in the balance. For a single person, solid cover costs between AED 4,000 and AED 15,000 (€1,000 to €3,750) per year, depending on the network.

For a family of 4, the annual bill rises from AED 12,000 to AED 35,000 (€3,000 to €8,750) depending on the dental or optical options chosen.

The special case of maternity

Having a baby in the Emirates is an investment in itself. An uncomplicated birth costs between AED 12,000 and AED 35,000 (3 000 à 8 750 €). A caesarean section can cost up to AED 55,000 (€13,750).

Schooling for children, a major investment for families

While the health budget weighs heavily, schooling undoubtedly represents a major expense. THE critical expenditure item which determines the viability of your cost of living in Dubai.

The private school system and its fees

Let's be clear: the the school system is entirely private in Dubai. Forget all about the French model of free public schools, here education is a paying service from day one.

For approved French schools, the bill goes up fast. Annual tuition fees start off high: expect to pay between AED 28,800 and AED 68,800 for nursery school alone.

The bill gets heavier with age Primary school varies between AED 30,450 and AED 90,000, while secondary school varies between AED 40,800 and AED 130,000. This is a rate per child, of course.

Crèches and childcare

For the youngest children, nurseries are the norm. Monthly fees generally fluctuate between AED 2,000 and AED 4,500 (€470 - €1,050) for full-time care, which in the end remains comparable, and sometimes even cheaper, and some private structures in major French cities.

The popular alternative is to work as a live-in nanny. While the salary seems very affordable compared with Europe (AED 2,000 - 5,500/month), make no mistake: you have to pay the compulsory visa and insurance fees, a initial cost often underestimated.

The hidden costs of schooling

Be careful not to look only at the gross tuition fees. You will have to pay unavoidable ancillary costs These include registration fees (AED 500-2000, often lost if you change your mind), compulsory uniforms and special textbooks.

Two other items add to the bill: school bus transport, which frequently exceeds 5,000 AED per year (or even 8,500 AED in some lycées), and the canteen. These «extras» end up costing considerably increase the final annual bill.

Leisure and entertainment: how much can you afford to spend in the Emirate?

You don't just come to Dubai to work. Let's have a look how much does it cost to enjoy of what the city has to offer.

Eating out: a common practice

Here, eating out is almost a religion, eating out is much more than just a convenience. The range is absolutely enormous, from quick and efficient food courts to Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants. As you'll see, the temptation not to cook is constant.

Let's talk concrete figures. A quick meal in a small restaurant or food court will cost you between AED 25 and AED 50. (around €6 to €12). For a nice dinner for two, expect to pay between AED 200 and 300 (€50 to €75). Note that the famous Friday brunches often cost up to AED 400 (€100) per person.

Weekend activities and outings

For entertainment, you also need provide a solid budget line. A standard cinema ticket costs around AED 45 (€11). Access to a private beach club for the day generally ranges from AED 150 to 300 (€37 to €75), which can sometimes be used as consumer credit.

Other leisure activities also weigh in the balance: allow around AED 300 (€75) per person for an amusement park or desert outing. Fortunately, there are many free activities such as public beaches and parks to balance your expenditure.

The installation budget: costs not to forget before the first salary

Before you even think about recurring monthly expenses, there's a substantial sum to pay as soon as you arrive. This is the start-up budget, This is an often underestimated item that can unbalance your cash flow if you're not prepared.

Accommodation costs

Start with blocking a large sum for the deposit. It must represent 5 % of the annual rent for an empty property, and rises to 10 % for a furnished property. This sum is theoretically recoverable, provided that the keys are returned without the slightest hitch.

Then be prepared to take out cash for agency fees, which also amount to 5 % of the annual rent. Unlike the deposit, this commission is a non-recoverable expense.

And finally.., the lease must be formalised via Ejari. Expect to pay around AED 220 for this essential administrative registration.

Activation of services and first purchases

Once you have the keys, you need to activate the meters. Connecting to the DEWA (water and electricity) requires a security deposit of AED 2,000 for a flat, The cost of a villa is double that, AED 4,000.

Don't neglect the installation of Internet and TV, which costs two to four times more than in France. Allow around AED 300 to 500 just to get things up and running. If your home is empty, the furnishings budget will also need to be released immediately.

Examples of detailed monthly budgets: the reality, line by line

We've broken down every item of expenditure. Now it's time to put it all together. Here's what it looks like a concrete monthly budget, depending on your profile.

The budget of a single person in «comfort» mode»

Imagine a young working professional. He or she lives in a nice T2 or a large studio in a lively neighbourhood like JVC or the Marina, hires a car to get around and doesn't go without at the weekend. This is the typical profile of the entrepreneur who wants to network.

To maintain this stress-free lifestyle, you need to aim for a total budget of around AED 16,000. This is the price of peace of mind. I've broken down the exact breakdown in the table below so that you can see the real impact on the cost of living in Dubai.

The budget of a couple and a family

For a couple living in a comfortable one-bedroom apartment with two cars and regular outings, the bill quickly climbs to around AED 25,000. If you add two children, a villa and a nanny, the dynamic changes radically. With school fees, you easily reach AED 45,000 per month.

But there is another reality: the «Luxury» profile. A villa on the Palm, premium schools such as the SISD and top-of-the-range leisure activities all add up to a lot of money. This lifestyle requires a budget often in excess of AED 80,000.

Summary table of monthly budgets

Let's stop guessing. This table is your compass for validate the financial feasibility of your project. It summarises the real market data so that you can plan ahead.

Item of expenditure	Single Comfort (AED)	Comfort Couple (AED)	Family with 2 children (AED)	Luxury Family (AED)
Housing (average rent)	7 000	9 000	16 000	35 000
Loads (DEWA, Cooling, Mobile)	1 200	1 800	2 800	5 000
Transport (Car/Petrol)	1 500	2 500	3 500	6 000
Food (Shopping)	2 000	3 500	4 500	8 000
Restaurants & Entertainment	2 000	3 000	2 500	8 000
Health (Supplementary)	800	1 600	3 000	6 000
Schooling (smoothed average/month)	0	0	8 500	18 000
Childcare (Nanny + visa)	0	0	3 500	5 000
Leisure & Sports	1 000	2 000	2 500	6 000
Shopping & Miscellaneous	500	1 600	2 000	5 000
MONTHLY TOTAL (AED)	16,000 AED	AED 25,000	48,300 AED	102,000 AED
MONTHLY TOTAL (EUR)	~4 000 €	~6 250 €	~12 075 €	~25 500 €

Take a close look at the «Schooling» line for families: it's often the most important one. financial shock that hurts if you haven't anticipated it. For single people, it's housing that weighs most heavily in the balance.

What salary should I aim for to live well in Dubai?

Expenditure tables are useful, but they don't answer the real burning question: how much do you really need to see fall into your account to cover this cost of living without breaking a sweat?

From budget to salary

For a single person looking for real comfort, look for a net salary of AED 18,000 - 20,000. That's the minimum amount needed to pay the rent on a decent studio apartment and live comfortably without checking your bank account every week.

With a family and two children, the equation becomes much tougher. Visit household salary must rise to at least AED 50,000 to cover exorbitant school fees and health insurance. Without this safety margin, saving becomes impossible and the slightest unforeseen event hurts.

Analyse your remuneration package

Don't rely solely on the basic salary - that's a classic trap here. Scrupulously analyse the «allowances» included These include accommodation, tuition fees and transport allowances.

Dubai vs France: the real comparison of purchasing power

We often hear that Life is expensive in Dubai, but how does it compare with France? once all the accounts have been settled?

Comparing like with like: salary after tax

Stop comparing apples and oranges. The fatal error? Putting a French gross salary against a Dubai offer. Here, the salary shown is net salary, full stop. There is no income tax to deduct.

Let's take a concrete example. You sign for €10,000 in Dubai? You get €10,000. In France, that same gross amount would melt away for reach a difficult €6,500 net after withholding tax (30-45 %). This is the basis for any viable calculation.

The most expensive jobs in Dubai

Mind you, not everything is rosy. Cost of living rises by 86 %. Housing, healthcare (private 100 % system), schooling (AED 40k-80k/child) and communications (overpriced internet/mobile) will weigh heavily in the balance.

Add to that imported products such as cheese or charcuterie, and alcohol if you drink it. These pleasures, taxed or rare, can quickly add up. blowing up a poorly prepared budget if we don't adapt to the local market.

Where you gain purchasing power

And yet.., your living expenses can take off thanks to the total absence of income tax. Petrol (€0.66/L), transport and domestic staff are also much more affordable, easing the pressure on day-to-day spending.

The real benefit will therefore depend on your profile. A single person will benefit fully from the tax advantage. For a large family, the exorbitant cost of schooling is likely to cancel out the financial benefit. Do your sums before signing.

The most common financial pitfalls for expatriates

Think you've got it all worked out? That's often where things go wrong. To ensure that your expatriation doesn't turn into a financial nightmare and remains profitable, you need to avoid certain pitfalls. Here are the exact errors that are ruining the cost of living in dubai for new arrivals.

Underestimating charges and one-off costs

The number one mistake is to budget only for the face rent. You need to factor in variable charges such as DEWA, cooling, service charges, etc., which are not included in the rent. major and unforeseeable costs. In summer, with the air conditioning running at full capacity, the bill can literally double.

The second fatal mistake is to forget the initial installation budget. Between the deposits of 5 to 10 %, the agency fees and the connections, you will have several thousand euros in cash before you've even earned your first salary on the spot.

The «lifestyle inflation» trap»

With an often higher after-tax salary, the temptation to immediately increase your standard of living is immense. You sign up for a bigger flat, a sports car or constant outings. It's a formidable psychological mechanism that destroys your real purchasing power.

It's the quickest way to end up with no savings at all after a year abroad. Dubai is a city designed to encourage consumption. You need to keep a cool head and set strict savings targets from the outset.

Ignoring specific local characteristics

Never overlook the administrative importance of the Emirates ID. It is the obligatory sesame to do everything You need to have the right documents to open an account, rent a property or subscribe to services. Obtaining it costs money, takes time and often blocks your first vital steps.

Remember also the system of post-dated cheques for rent payments. A bounced cheque is a very serious offence here. Poor cash management can have serious consequences. serious legal consequences, well beyond a bank penalty.

Expatriating to Dubai is not something you can improvise: beyond the tax appeal, the reality of the cost of living calls for rigorous planning. Housing, health and education are the key variables in your financial equation. Anticipate every item of expenditure to ensure that your adventure in the Emirates remains a memorable one. a profitable and worry-free operation.

FAQ : Cost of living in Dubai