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Cost of Living in Dubai 2025: The Complete Guide
What are the Expenses to Keep in Mind When Relocating to Dubai?
When you move to Dubai, there are essentially 3 categories to keep in mind when creating your budget:
The Bare Necessities- The absolute musts that need to be taken on a routine basis. These are expenses that are sure to prop up, such as rent, utilities, groceries, etc.
Travel and Transportation Costs- Dubai may seem like a small city, but in reality, most places are quite distant from one another. And so, you'll spend a lot of your time traveling. This can add up if you are not wise with how you travel.
Leisure and Entertainment Costs- Dubai has an abundance of events throughout the year, ranging from free to premium. With so much to do, you will never get bored. However, apart from setting aside time, you will also need to set a budget to keep track of these expenses.
The Bare Necessities to Live in Dubai 2025
Cost of Housing in Dubai
Dubai has a variety of projects, from apartments and townhouses to luxurious sprawling villas and mansions. Rent in Dubai has steadily increased post-pandemic. Yet, the rents in this city remain competitive with other top metropolises, such as London, Hong Kong, and New York. Your monthly expenses will range from AED 800 (USD 218) to AED 160,000 (USD 43,500) depending on the location, lodging, and tenancy contract type.
Based on the number of cheques you pay throughout the year, you can negotiate your rental costs in Dubai. You will find that the lower the number of cheques you pay, the more leeway you may have to negotiate the annual rent. There are several methods of payment for rent in Dubai. These are:
PDC (Pre-dated Cheques)
Bank transfers
Online payments
Direct debt systems
Cash payments
Additional Housing Costs (2025 rates)
Security deposit: Typically, the security deposit amounts to 5% of the annual rent. This amount is fully refundable at the end of your tenancy, provided there is no damage to the property. You will find the specific terms outlined in your tenancy contract.
Agent commission: Your agent will also be paid 2-5% of your annual rent 1 time.
EJARI (tenancy contract registration): You will need to pay AED 220 (USD 60) to register your tenancy contract with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) of Dubai.
Maintenance fees: These fees vary and are often covered by the landlord.
Monthly Utility Expenses in Dubai for 2025
DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority): Your monthly electricity and water costs for an apartment in Dubai range from AED 300-800 (USD 82-218). This is dependent on the season, with summer being more due to increased air conditioning, you will find that.
Gas (for cooking): Gas line connections are usually set up in most properties in Dubai. This cost is usually between AED 50-100 (USD 14-27).
Internet & TV packages: Your TV and Internet packages will amount to roughly AED 350-700 (USD 95-190) per month. This is dependants on your preferred speed and channels.
Mobile phone plans: Your regular phone plan can range from anywhere between AED 125-500 (USD 34-136), inclusive of data and calling charges.
For a typical 1-bedroom apartment, you can expect your total monthly utility costs in Dubai to be around AED 800-1,200 (USD 218-327).
Cost of Food & Groceries For Expats in Dubai
Your monthly food expenses in Dubai significantly vary based on each household’s dining habits. And so, here is a breakdown of what your monthly grocery and food budget will look like:
Budget grocery shopping: AED 800-1,200 (USD 218-327) per household (local supermarkets like Carrefour, Lulu, Al Madina, Nesto)
Premium grocery shopping: AED 1,500-2,500 (USD 408-680) per household (Spinneys, Waitrose)
Dining out budget per person per outing:
Fast food meal: AED 25-40 (USD 7-10)
Mid-range restaurant: AED 100-200 (USD 27-54)
Fine dining: AED 300-1,000+ (USD 82-270+)
Coffee shop visit: AED 20-30 (USD 5-8) for a specialty coffee
An average professional typically spends AED 1,200-2,000 (USD 327- 545) monthly on food. This is a combination of homemade meals and the occasional dining out.
The list above will give you a fair idea of regular food and dining costs. However, Dubai’s constant sales, and nationality-specific stores and restaurants will provide great food at reasonable rates. Additionally, there are a number of subscription meal delivery services that cater to your preferred budget, taste, and requirements.