What is the Cost of Living in Dubai in Toman?
What is the cost of living in Dubai in Toman? We must say that the main expense is related to house rent, which can vary from 870,000,000 Toman up to more than 23,200,000,000 Toman, depending on the number of bedrooms, area, and other factors. Furthermore, food expenses are also of special importance, averaging approximately 290,000,000 Toman or 10,000 AED monthly for one person. Other expenses such as transportation, utility bills (water and electricity), internet, clothing, insurance, entertainment, etc., total around 230,000,000 Toman for one person.
House Rent in Dubai: The Highest Monthly Expense
Dubai is considered one of the world’s luxury cities, where housing rental costs are high. However, homes located in the suburbs and outskirts of the city have lower rents compared to apartments in the city center. This factor allows most people with varied incomes to be able to rent a suitable home. In the following section, we review the annual housing rental costs in Dubai, compiled based on the Property Finder website. Prices are calculated based on an exchange rate of 29,000 Toman per AED.
| Type of Property | Annual Rent (AED) | Annual Rent (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Suite | 30,000 to 90,000 | 870,000,000 to 2,610,000,000 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) | 70,000 to 200,000 | 2,030,000,000 to 5,800,000,000 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Outskirts) | 40,000 to 100,000 | 1,160,000,000 to 2,900,000,000 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) | 150,000 to 400,000 | 4,350,000,000 to 11,600,000,000 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment (City Outskirts) | 60,000 to 150,000 | 1,740,000,000 to 4,350,000,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) | 180,000 to 900,000 | 5,220,000,000 to 26,100,000,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (City Outskirts) | 75,000 to 200,000 | 2,175,000,000 to 5,800,000,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Villa (Mid-range Area) | 100,000 to 500,000 | 2,900,000,000 to 14,500,000,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Villa (Luxury Area) | 800,000+ | 23,200,000,000+ |
Food and Daily Shopping Costs, from Supermarkets to Luxury Restaurants
Continuing the review of the cost of living in Dubai, we arrive at food and daily shopping, where prices are relatively reasonable because food, agricultural, and seafood products are easily accessible. Additionally, large chain stores like Nesto, Spinneys, Lulu, etc., which have branches in most areas, always offer good discounts and promotions to customers. Below is a list of costs for some food items in AED and Toman, compiled based on the Lulu Hypermarket website. Note that food prices may vary slightly depending on the brand, location, and store. Prices are calculated based on an exchange rate of 29,000 Toman per AED.
| Food Item | Price (AED) | Price (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| One Bottle of Water | 2 | 58,000 |
| One Liter of Milk | 6.65 | 192,000 |
| 5 kg of Rice | 24 to 40 | 696,000 to 1,160,000 |
| 1 Pack of Toast Bread | 6 | 174,000 |
| 1 kg of Red Meat | 40 | 1,160,000 |
| 1 kg of Chicken | 20 to 30 | 580,000 to 870,000 |
| 6 Eggs | 5 | 145,000 |
| 200g of Cheese | 10 to 20 | 290,000 to 580,000 |
| 1 Liter of Coca-Cola | 5 | 145,000 |
| 1 kg of Potatoes | 3.75 | 108,000 |
| 1 kg of Onions | 2.45 | 71,000 |
| 500g of Tomatoes | 3.48 | 100,000 |
| 400g of Lettuce | 2.80 | 81,000 |
| 1 kg of Red Apples | 8.65 | 250,000 |
| 1 kg of Bananas | 6.65 | 192,000 |
| 1 kg of Oranges | 8.95 | 260,000 |
| 500g of Cucumber | 2.50 | 75,000 |
| 1 Bottle of Regular Whiskey | 100 | 2,900,000 |
| 330 ml Beer | 5 | 145,000 |
| 1 Pack of Cigarettes | 20+ | 580,000+ |
Transportation Costs: Traveling by Private Car and Public Transport
A portion of people’s monthly income is always spent on transportation, and this amount varies for different individuals based on the type of vehicle used. Commuting in Dubai is done by private car, rental car, and public transport like the metro and bus. Therefore, in this section of the cost of living in Dubai in Toman, we review the monthly expenses for commuting. Prices are calculated based on an exchange rate of 29,000 Toman per AED.
| Type of Transportation | Price (AED) | Price (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price of 1 Liter of Gasoline | 2.5 to 4 | 72,000 to 116,000 |
| One-Way Bus Ticket | 5 | 145,000 |
| Standard Metro Ticket (Red) | 4 to 8.5 | 116,000 to 246,000 |
| Silver Metro Ticket | 3 to 7.5 | 87,000 to 217,000 |
| Blue Metro Ticket | 1.5 to 3.75 | 43,000 to 108,000 |
| Gold Metro Ticket | 8 to 17 | 232,000 to 493,000 |
| Monthly NOL Card (Metro/Bus) | 350 to 500 | 10,150,000 to 14,500,000 |
| Taxi Starting Fare | 12 | 348,000 |
| Taxi Fare Per Kilometer | 2 to 3 | 58,000 to 87,000 |
| Street Parking Per Hour | 2 to 4 | 58,000 to 116,000 |
| Monthly Economic Car Rental | 2,000 to 3,500 | 58,000,000 to 101,500,000 |
Insurance in Dubai: A Way to Control Medical Costs
In Dubai, government insurance is only available to locals, and expatriates must use private insurance, which has variable costs depending on the level of services, health status, and individual income. Note that by law, all residents in the UAE must have insurance coverage, otherwise they will be fined. Prices are calculated based on an exchange rate of 29,000 Toman per AED.
| Type of Insurance | Annual Cost (AED) | Annual Cost (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Plan | 650 to 725 | 18,850,000 to 21,000,000 |
| Comprehensive Plans for Singles | 5,500 | 159,500,000 |
| Basic Insurance for a Family of Four | 17,000 | 493,000,000 |
| Health Card for Immigrants under 18 | 120 | 3,480,000 |
| Health Card for Immigrants over 18 | 320 | 9,280,000 |
| Citizens under 18 | 25 | 725,000 |
| Citizens over 18 | 120 | 3,480,000 |
Utility Bills: Water, Electricity, and Internet
Other significant expenses in Dubai life include water, electricity, and internet bills. The high cost of energy in the Emirates means that the average monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom house is about 700 AED or 20,300,000 Toman. Internet packages also have different prices depending on the speed. Below, we have listed some of the costs in this section.
| Utility Bill | Price (AED) | Price (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Electricity (1-Bedroom) | 500 to 1,000 | 14,500,000 to 29,000,000 |
| Water & Electricity (2-Bedroom) | 1,000 to 2,000 | 29,000,000 to 58,000,000 |
| Gas Cost | 100 to 300 | 2,900,000 to 8,700,000 |
| High-Speed Internet | 300 to 600 | 8,700,000 to 17,400,000 |
| Standard Cable TV Package | 200 to 500 | 5,800,000 to 14,500,000 |
Education Costs: From International and Public Schools
The cost of elementary and high school education in Dubai varies depending on the type of school chosen. Due to the expatriate population, international, Iranian, and other schools exist alongside public schools in Arabic, English, and other languages. Each school has a different tuition fee based on the services it provides. In the following section, we examine the standard costs of schools in Dubai. Prices are calculated based on an exchange rate of 29,000 Toman per AED.
| Type of School | Annual Tuition (AED) | Annual Tuition (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| Government School for Foreign Residents | 5,000 to 16,000 | 145,000,000 to 464,000,000 |
| Iranian School | 4,000 to 12,000 | 116,000,000 to 348,000,000 |
| American School | 18,000 to 90,000 | 522,000,000 to 2,610,000,000 |
| British School | 20,000 to 90,000 | 580,000,000 to 2,610,000,000 |
| Indian School | 30,000 to 70,000 | 870,000,000 to 2,030,000,000 |
Entertainment and Leisure Costs in Dubai
Entertainment and leisure activities are among the monthly side expenses, and this amount varies according to the individual’s lifestyle and interests in Dubai. The variety of leisure activities across different price ranges allows everyone, regardless of their budget, to spend their free time. Below is a list of costs for some popular entertainment activities in Dubai. Prices are calculated based on an exchange rate of 29,000 Toman per AED.
| Entertainment | Price (AED) | Price (Toman) |
|---|---|---|
| Cinema Ticket | 46 | 1,334,000 |
| A Beer in a Bar | 50 | 1,450,000 |
| A Meal in a Restaurant | 40 to 300 | 1,160,000 to 8,700,000 |
| 1-Month Gym Membership | 300 to 700 | 8,700,000 to 20,300,000 |
| Water Park Entrance | 200 to 350 | 5,800,000 to 10,150,000 |
| Burj Khalifa Visit | 150 to 300 | 4,350,000 to 8,700,000 |
| 1-Hour Jet Ski Rental | 400 to 800 | 11,600,000 to 23,200,000 |
| Dubai Miracle Garden Entry | 75 | 2,175,000 |
In Conclusion, Calculating the Cost of Living in Dubai in Toman
In general, the highest cost of living in Dubai in Toman is related to house rent, which starts from 870,000,000 Toman for a typical studio apartment; this amount will increase as the area gets closer to the city center and as the size and number of rooms increase. The cost of ordinary food and daily shopping for a single person is about 290,000,000 Toman per month, which may vary depending on the individual’s lifestyle. Other expenses such as utilities, entertainment, education, transportation, etc., will cost approximately 230,000,000 Toman per month for one person.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cost of Living in Dubai
Is income in Dubai commensurate with expenses?
Yes, this proportionality exists in most specialized jobs; however, in ordinary and simple jobs, expenses might exceed an individual’s income.
Is there tax in Dubai?
There is no personal income tax in Dubai; however, a Value Added Tax (VAT) of about 5% is levied on all goods.
The Dubivo content team consists of experienced consultants and Dubai real estate market analysts. With years of field experience and access to the latest data, we simplify the complexities of the Dubai property market for you. Our mission is to provide unbiased, accurate, and practical content to help you make the smartest decision for investing or living in Dubai.