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Get Expert AdviceAre you wondering what is the minimum cost of living in Dubai? As seen in movies and web series, Dubai is the land of dreams and multiple opportunities. Being one of the richest lands on earth, one can expect it to be too let's say, umm pretty pricey. The cost of living in Dubai/monthly expenses in Dubai for international students and expatriates leans on the higher side. As such it becomes really important to understand how to manage your finances.
This blog by The Student Helpline will give you a detailed reflection on the cost of living in Dubai, with several tips and tricks to lower your monthly expenses while staying in this foreign wonderland. If you intend to stay and study in Dubai UAE, then, knowing the Dubai living cost is important for you. The living cost in Dubai revolves around your choice of lifestyle. And, yes, you heard it right. Ranked #7th in the world as the most expensive city, you might find it hard to survive here if you don't manage your living expenses in Dubai.
Dubai is a land of luxury and innovation, yet it also portrays an advanced infrastructure that makes the place comfortable in terms of hassle-free living. Knowing the price range of living expenses in Dubai or any other country is highly essential, especially for those international students who have budget constraints. Monthly expenses in Dubai for a single person are summarized in the table below:
|
S.No. |
Living Expenses In Dubai |
Cost Of Living In Dubai |
|
1. |
Transportation Monthly Pass |
AED 300 (INR 6,800): Taxi- AED 5/Km (INR 115) |
|
2. |
Utilities Basic including Electricity, Water, And Garbage |
Approximately AED 766 (INR 17,500) per month |
|
3. |
Mobile Phone Plans |
There are available monthly plans in the range of AED 100 (INR 2,300) to AED 300 (INR 6,800). |
|
4. |
Internet Plans |
Monthly plans range between AED 200 (INR 4,600) and AED 500 (INR 11,500) according to speed. |
|
5. |
Food |
Meals can cost up to AED 50 (INR 1,150) monthly at restaurants, groceries are much cheaper. |
|
6. |
Healthcare Charges |
Private health insurance costs AED 500 (INR 11,500) per month. |
|
7. |
Rent |
One-bedroom in prime areas: AED 7,900-15,000 (INR 1.8L-3.4L) per month Deira/Bur Dubai: AED 6,000 (INR 13,800). |
The culture, lifestyle, and cost of living in Dubai vary from India. Dubai is considered one of the very expensive countries, yet at the same time has one of the highest salaries in the world. Some of the main factors that contributed to the Dubai cost of living Vs India difference include currency rates, average salaries, and the cost of goods and services. With these differences, you make proper budgets and decide better before shifting to Dubai.
Here is the table comparing the monthly expenses in Dubai and India:
|
Parameters |
Average Cost Of Living In Dubai |
Cost Of Living In India |
|
Average Cost Of Living (without rent) |
INR 93K (AED 4100) |
INR 28K |
|
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly Pass) |
INR 6,800 (AED 300) |
INR 1000 |
|
Average Basic Utility Cost |
INR 17,000 (AED 766) |
INR 3500 |
|
Average Mobile Phone Monthly Plan |
INR 5,000 (AED 221) |
INR 315 |
|
Internet Plan |
INR 8,000 (AED 352) |
INR 700 |
|
Average Food Cost |
INR 34K (AED 1500) |
INR 3000-5000 |
|
Healthcare |
INR 10K (AED 458) |
INR 500-1000 |
|
Average Rent in Major areas of Dubai |
INR 1.8L (AED 7900) |
INR 17K |
|
Average Tuition Fees |
INR 4 to 12L (AED 35K to 1.7L) |
INR 1L to 8L |
The cost of living in Dubai for an international student is pretty high, but the level of education system is world-class in Dubai. It can be balanced with strategic planning and mindful financial management. So, how much does it cost to live comfortably in Dubai? It's simply a matter of your lifestyle choice, but clear insight into what you need and budgeting for that will allow you to enjoy everything Dubai has to offer without breaking into your bank account. Whether you are a single professional or moving with a family, planning your finances correctly is the key to thriving in this lively city.
Here are some tips to help reduce the cost of living in Dubai:
If the students implement these suggestions, they will face less difficulty over the issue of the cost of living in Dubai during their study and have an enriching and financially prudent experience.
For an individual moving to Dubai, you might find the Dubai living cost to be on the higher side, but if you work hard the Dubai culture will appreciate your efforts and reward you accordingly. As you progress with the city, you will understand it better and you will be able to manage your monthly expenses in Dubai very well.
Take a look at the below-mentioned list, you will get a more hands-on idea about the cost of living in Dubai.
|
1 bedroom apartment monthly expenses in Dubai (in the main areas of the city) |
INR 1,37,300 - INR 2,74,660 |
|
3 bedroom apartment monthly expenses in Dubai (in the main areas of the city) |
INR 2,28,880 - INR 5,72,200 |
|
1 bedroom apartment monthly expenses in Dubai (in the outskirts of the city) |
INR 91,500 - 39; INR 1,84,100 |
|
3 bedroom apartment monthly expenses in Dubai (in the outskirts of the city) |
INR 1,37,300 - INR 3,66,200 |
|
Meal at an expensive restaurant |
INR 3,500 - INR 11,500 |
|
Meal at a standard restaurant |
INR 450 - INR 2,500 |
|
Coffee |
INR 230 - INR 680 |
|
Water |
INR 45 - INR 230 |
|
Beer |
INR 450 - INR 1,500 |
|
Soft drink |
INR 70 - INR 350 |
|
Gym membership monthly expenses in Dubai |
INR 3,500 - INR 13,750 |
|
Cinema hall ticket, for one |
INR 1,100 - INR 1,700 |
|
Clothes shopping |
INR 1,800 - INR 11,500 |
|
Shopping for shoes |
INR 4500 - INR 13,800 |
|
Electricity & water monthly expenses in Dubai |
INR 9,000 - INR 25,000 |
|
Mobile calls Dubai living cost monthly |
INR 2,280 - INR 8,000 |
|
Internet monthly expenses in Dubai |
INR 5,500 - INR 12,000 |
|
One way ticket |
INR 140 - INR 180 |
|
Monthly pass monthly expenses in Dubai |
INR 4,500 - INR 8,000 |
|
Taxi charges per km |
INR 70 |
|
Gasoline rates per liter |
INR 70 |
|
Public schools |
INR 1,37,370 |
|
International schools |
INR 2,89,164 - INR 4,89,954 |
|
Public universities |
INR 38 lakh or more without scholarship/ INR 18 lakh with scholarship |
|
Apples (1Kg) |
INR 115 - INR 320 |
|
Bananas (1Kg) |
INR 90 - INR 230 |
|
Oranges (1Kg) |
INR 90 - INR 280 |
|
Tomatoes (1Kg) |
INR 135 or more |
|
Onions (1Kg) |
INR 125 or more |
|
Potato (1Kg) |
INR 95 or more |
|
Lettuce |
INR 135 or more |
|
Milk (1L) |
INR 120 - INR 280 |
|
White bread (500g) |
INR 70 - INR 280 |
|
Regular cheese |
INR 340 - INR 2200 |
|
Eggs (12) |
INR 250 |
|
Rice (1Kg) |
INR 115 - INR 370 |
|
A pack of cigarettes |
INR 550 |
|
Chicken/ Beef (1Kg) |
INR 350 - INR 1380 |
The average cost of living in Dubai is different for different people, and the basic reason behind this difference is the kind of lifestyle these people have in their present lives. A bachelor/single one cannot afford a great lifestyle since everything has to be done by you, You have no one to back your lifestyle; maybe your family, but most probably they are far away.
In contrast, a couple can still dare to have a lavish lifestyle because there are two contributors, hopefully. And so they can afford some extra expenditure budget. And talking about families that live in Dubai, if one or more individuals have been working in Dubai then you can treat Dubai expenses pretty well because Dubai always supports and rewards its hardworking citizens.
Demonstrated below is a table where we have compared the basic life needs and the Dubai living cost of singles, families, and couples:
|
Monthly Expenses Areas |
Dubai Living Cost for Singles |
Dubai Living Cost for Couples |
Dubai Living Cost for Families |
|
Accommodation |
INR 68,000 - INR 1,85,000 |
INR 1,15,000 - INR 2,75,000 |
INR 1,85,000 - INR 4,60,000 |
|
Food & grocery |
INR 18,000 - INR 28,000 |
INR 35,000 - INR 60,000 |
INR 60,000 - INR 90,000 |
|
Entertainment |
INR 20,000 - INR 45,000 |
INR 45,000 - INR 85,000 |
INR 65,000 - INR 1,15,000 |
|
Utilities |
INR 2,000 - INR 22,000 |
INR 22,000 - INR 35,000 |
INR 35,000 - INR 70,000 |
|
Transportation |
Around 7000 or less |
INR 35,000 - INR 70,000 |
INR 58,000 - INR 1,15,000 |
Studying in Dubai is a chance that offers immense opportunities, but the cost of living in Dubai could be too expensive. Luckily, there are several study abroad scholarships available for students to ease their overall financial burdens. These scholarships are designed to promote and support academic excellence, sports achievements, leadership qualities, and cultural & ethnic diversity, making the prospects of study abroad education available for people who are financially and culturally not sound or backward.
Here are some scholarships available for students residing in Dubai to help them manage their living costs in Dubai:
|
Scholarships To Support Living Costs in Dubai |
Benefits |
Type |
|
Outstanding Academic Excellence Scholarships By The University Of Wollongong (UG) |
The scholarship provides $10,000 paid in two installments of $5,000, respectively, after sem 1 and sem 2. |
Merit-Based |
|
BITS Pilani Merit In BITSAT |
Off of 75, 50, or 25 % as per your BITSAT score |
Merit-Based |
|
Master Research Teaching Scholarship Offered By Khalifa University |
Medical insurance would be provided. A stipend of AED 4000 will be offered monthly. Flight tickets would also be reimbursed. |
Merit-Based |
|
Zayed University Undergraduate Scholarship |
It covers 50% of scholarships to students who have passed exams with results above 90% in the final school exam. |
Merit-Based |
|
SPJ Global Postgraduate Scholarship |
This scholarship only covers the entire fees for the tuition of students who meet at least four out of six criteria and have a CGPA of 3.5 and above. |
Merit-based |
It is too difficult to manage the cost of living in Dubai since it is quite pricey for a basic lifestyle. However, The Student Helpline will help you in dealing with expenses properly with the right scholarships on your end. Our team of dedicated professionals will help you find the right scholarship to ease your financial burden. We understand living far away from home is a very tedious process, which is not managed and supported well. Could cause serious trouble. Hence our study abroad experts will guide you along the way making your study in Dubai experience fruitful.
$2,700 to whatever you want is the cost of living in Dubai as it tends to go through the roof as prices fluctuate. Costs for accommodation, transport, and food contribute to living costs. For specific recommendations on how much to spend in Dubai, contact The Student Helpline.
Of course, a city like Dubai is said to be pricey compared to many others, even cities in India. The monthly expenditures in Dubai run up over $900. To help you budget well, The Student Helpline has more information on how to smartly spend your money.
About $600 per month is the average cost of living in Dubai, including basic and leisure needs. However, that amount can change depending on what one chooses to spend his or her money on. For more money-saving advice, check out The Student Helpline.
Dubai is relatively much pricier than India when it comes to living costs in Dubai- more so on housing and services. Monthly expenses in Dubai are more than in India which again goes into your budget. For more comprehensive comparisons, The Student Helpline can get you more information.
$450 to $900 is a general monthly expense in Dubai for a person residing there, depending on their choices. A good number of the essential expenses include rent, food, and transportation, all of which should be made efficient by contacting The Student Helpline for consultancy advice.
The average cost of living in Dubai for International students is on par with any other expatriate with an average amount put on the list that stands at $350 monthly for living expenses in Dubai. Let The Student Helpline guide you more on how to effectively manage your budgets.
Approximately $70 per month is the average food cost in Dubai. Other costs that are universally applicable while living include eating out and groceries, with prices varying for each person depending on their choices. Want to know how to manage food expenses? Contact The Student Helpline.
This, of course, is usually the same as that living in Dubai however in some parts, it can be a little lower. The cost of living in Abu Dhabi can be around $500. To give you a better view, The Student Helpline can help and assist you.
Living costs in Dubai for international students are around $450 monthly. These include living costs, food, and transport. To plan better, The Student Helpline could provide useful resources for you.
There are many opportunities to study in Dubai, UAE but do remember that living costs in Dubai can be relatively expensive. For further details on courses and budgeting, contact The Student Helpline, who will be able to offer more specific information, answering your individual needs.
Rahul Kumar is a dynamic and seasoned writer, currently serving as a Study Abroad Expert at The Student Helpline. Specializing in crafting comprehensive study materials for international standardized exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, PTE, and SAT, he brings over five years of experience to his role. Rahul’s passion lies in guiding students through the complexities of exam preparation and the study abroad journey. His insightful articles provide students with valuable information on exam processes, college admissions, top universities, course selection, and more—empowering them to succeed in their academic goals abroad.
We'll show you what you need to do, when to do it, and how, at each step of your study abroad journey.
