What Is the Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi?
As the capital of the UAE and a key financial center, Abu Dhabi is very attractive to international workers. Thanks to its great quality of life, reputation for safety, and a strong economy, Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE have attracted millions of overseas workers from hundreds of nations, particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and various European countries.
If you are considering moving or temporarily relocating here, one thing you will want to know about is the cost of living in Abu Dhabi. Let’s take a look at the numbers
Is Abu Dhabi an Expensive Place to Live?
Abu Dhabi is not as expensive as many international cities. The cost of living in Abu Dhabi is much lower than the world’s most expensive cities: Hong Kong, Singapore and Zurich. It is a more expensive place to live than most of Asia, however.
According to data from Mercer , a professional services company, Abu Dhabi was the 43rd most expensive city in the world for international employees in 2024. Here’s is how it compares to other capital cities and leading financial hubs in the rankings:
- New York
- London
- Beijing
- Mexico City
- Abu Dhabi
- Sydney
- New Delhi
- Karachi
To better understand the cost of living in Abu Dhabi, let’s take a look at the typical costs you will encounter in Abu Dhabi. Use this currency converter that gives the UAE exchange rate today to calculate the cost of living in Abu Dhabi in US dollars or your preferred currency
What is the cost of housing in Abu Dhabi?
Rent for a modest one bedroom apartment is in the region of AED 3,000-6,000 per month depending on how central it is. Luxury apartments for single persons or couples start at around AED 7,000 per month.
The cost of living in Abu Dhabi with family is higher as you’ll need more space. Family-sized apartments in suburban areas start at AED 8,000 per month. You can rent a large detached villa for around AED 20,000 per month .
If you wish to purchase a home, prices start at AED 400,000 for a studio apartment and reach AED 900,000 for a modern three-bedroom apartment. Townhouses and villas start at around AED 1 million.
The average Abu Dhabi grocery spend is around AED 800 per adult per month. Here are the costs of some everyday items:
- Loaf of bread: AED 5
- 12 eggs: AED 10
- 5L bottled water: AED 2
- Bag of apples: AED 8
Utility bills for a standard apartment are around AED 1,000 per month. This will cover heating and cooling costs, garbage disposal, and home internet. Cellphone plans are typically around AED 200 per month. You can send money online instantly to make bill payments in the UAE.
What is the cost of transit in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is well-served by public transportation. A monthly bus pass costs AED 80 . Many residents use taxis and Ubers to get around. The minimum Uber fare is AED 15 in Abu Dhabi.
There are lots of international schools and nurseries in Abu Dhabi that teach all the major curriculums between them. An annual fee for a primary school pupil in Abu Dhabi is around AED 45,000- 55,000, rising to AED 60,000-70,000 for a secondary school place.
Nursery fees are around AED 2,500 per month
How much are leisure and entertainment expenses in Abu Dhabi?
There’s lots to do in Abu Dhabi. Here are some costs of activities that you might want to fill your weekend with:
- A cinema ticket: AED 50
- A meal in a restaurant: AED 20 to 150
- A cup of coffee: AED 20
- Theme park entry: AED 300-350
- A monthly gym membership: AED 250
What is the total cost of living in Abu Dhabi?
If you add up essential expenses, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi for a single person living alone comes in at around AED 6,000 per month. Depending on your chosen lifestyle and accommodation, the costs could be higher or lower.
The cost of living in Abu Dhabi with a family is around AED 20,ooo based on a family of four with two children in international schools. Again, this could be higher or lower depending on the home and lifestyle you choose.
What Is a Good Salary in Abu Dhabi?
The average salary in Abu Dhabi is AED 96,000. This provides comfortable living standards. Here are what various professions typically earn in Abu Dhabi:
- Accountant: Up to AED 150,000/ average AED 60,000
- Engineer: Up to AED 230,000/ average AED 100,000
- Nurse: Up to AED 170,000/ average AED 90,000
Dubai is a more expensive city to live in than Abu Dhabi. Dubai is the 15th most expensive city to live in globally and the most expensive in the Middle East.
Overall, the general cost of living is around 20% more expensive in Dubai than in Abu Dhabi.
This is because housing is around 40% more expensive, with other costs a little higher, too.
International Living in Abu Dhabi
With a good salary and careful budgeting, it is possible to live very comfortably in Abu Dhabi. You can enjoy the best the UAE has to offer and still be able to send money home through a money transfer app.
Eager to learn more about life and expenses in Abu Dhabi? Why not get in touch with Al Ansari Exchange and find out more about domestic and international money transfers in the UAE, the AED exchange rate, and UAE salary payments?