Many people from all over the world travel to Dubai every year in the hopes of making it big in the city’s booming economy. One of the first things one should know before considering relocation to Dubai, with or without dependents, is the average cost of living in the area and whether or not doing so is financially prudent.

While everyone’s needs and budget are different, we can provide you with an estimate of what it would cost you to maintain a comfortable standard of living in Dubai by looking at the prices of food, housing, transportation etc. 

Food

When it comes to dining, you will be spoiled for choice in Dubai. Residents of Dubai are spoiled with choice, with everything from high-end dining establishments to inexpensive street cuisine. Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose, Choitrams, and Géant are just a few of the well-known supermarket chains available. 

If ballpark figures must be used, a family of four (two adults and two minors or teens) may get by on a weekly food budget of around AED 1000. 

Education

There is no uniform curriculum from kindergarten through high school in Dubai. There are many different curriculum options, some of which are included here. 

You should verify that the school you’re interested in has been approved by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) before committing to enrolling your child there. 

It might cost a lot to send your child to school in Dubai. British schools may cost up to AED 80,000 per year, while Indian schools are far more affordable, charging between AED 20,000 and AED 25,000.  

Housing

Renting a home in Dubai is similar to renting a home everywhere else: it depends on the neighbourhood. One can expect to pay around AED 195,000 per year to rent a two-bedroom, 1,431-square-foot apartment in a posh area of Dubai like Downtown Dubai, while one can expect to pay around AED 120,000 per year to rent a two-bedroom, 1,250-square-foot apartment in the waterfront community of Dubai Marina. 

Karama is a good place to look for an affordable apartment, with 2-bedroom, 1-and-a-half-bathroom units going for roughly AED 92,000 per year if you’re looking to rent instead of buy. If you get Off Plan Properties Dubai from dxb off plan, then you can get a higher Return on your investments.

Transport

One of the best things about visiting Dubai is the low price of gas. Although the government has recently removed its heavy subsidy on gasoline prices, they are still significantly lower than in the West. 

Gasoline is now one of the city’s cheapest commodities at $2.51 a litre in Dubai. Consequently, one need not spend a lot on taxis or other forms of public transportation. 

Metro trains in Dubai are very well linked, and since tickets are affordable, they are often utilized by a large number of professionals and students who want to avoid driving in the city during rush hour.