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What Does It Actually Cost to Live in Dubai?

  • 14 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Read this before you calculate whether your offer is right for you.


When candidates ask us “Is AED X enough?” The honest answer is always it depends how you live.


There is a lot to think about in Dubai including rent structure, cheque timing, deposits, cooling charges, school fees, socialising and whether your employer is covering anything beyond visa + insurance.


1. First: You Can’t Do Anything Without an Emirates ID

You’ll need your residency visa and Emirates ID before you can:

  • Open a bank account

  • Sign a tenancy contract

  • Activate utilities


Most employers handle this. Just be aware, that is the first thing you need sorted.



2. Finding a Property (And How Rent Really Works)

Most people search on:

  • Property Finder

  • Bayut


Now here’s where people get surprised.



Rent Is Paid Via Cheques, not monthly standing orders. Typical structures are:

  • 1 cheque (full year upfront)

  • 2 cheques (every 6 months)

  • 4 cheques (quarterly)


Monthly payments exist, but they’re less common and usually priced higher.



Other upfront costs to expect when you sign are:

  • 5% security deposit (10% if furnished)

  • 5% agency commission

  • First rent cheque

  • Ejari registration fee (AED 120–235)



3. What Is an Ejari (And Why It Matters)?

Ejari is your government tenancy registration via the Dubai Land Department.

Without an Ejari you can’t activate DEWA, sponsor family and you don’t technically have a registered tenancy.



4. Utilities: The Hidden Bit People Forget

DEWA

DEWA stands for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority which covers all of your electricity and water.


For a one-bed:

  • 800-1,300 AED per month depending on usage and summer AC.


Two/three-bed or townhouse in summer:

  • 1,200-2,500+ AED depending on AC usage


You’ll also pay a refundable deposit to activate your DEWA.


Cooling

Some buildings use district cooling which is a separate bill and can add on around 300-800 AED+ per month.



5. Internet & Mobile

The main providers to use are Etisalat and Du which you can sign up for online or instore.

  • Home broadband is 350-500 AED per month.

  • Mobile is 200-400 AED per month.



6. 2026 Rental Ranges

The rent you pay will mainly depend on the location, size and building.

1 Beds (Annual)


  • Dubai Marina - 95K-150K

  • Downtown - 110K-170K

  • DIFC - 120K-180K

  • Business Bay - 95K-140K

  • JLT - 85K-120K

  • Dubai Hills - 95K-150K

  • JVC - 70K-100K

  • JVT - 75K-110K


2-3 Beds (Apartments)

  • Marina / JLT - 140K-220KDubai Hills - 160K-250KDowntown - 180K-300K


Townhouses (Family Communities)

  • Townsquare / Damac Hills - 150K+

  • Tilal Al Ghaf - 190K+

  • Dubai Hills villas - 220K+


For families (2-3 beds), realistically think 150K-250K+ depending on area and townhouse vs apartment.



7. Groceries & General Living

This will depend on where you shop and how much you buy. Averages are:

  • Single professional: 1,500-2,000 per month

  • Couple: 2,500-3,500

  • Family: 4,000-7,000+ depending on imported products and dining habits



8. Eating Out & Lifestyle

  • Coffee: 28-35 AED

  • Casual dinner: 80-150 AED per person

  • Mid-range dinner for two: 300-500 AED

  • Business lunches: 95-250 AED

  • Brunch: 350-700 AED

  • Gym memberships: 500-900 AED per month.


You can subscribe to memberships such as Privilee which typically ranges from 899-1,299 AED per month depending on contract length. That gives access to hotel gyms, pools, beach clubs and kids’ areas across the city.


For families, this can replace:

  • Separate gym membership

  • Beach club day passes

  • Weekend hotel spending


This is where budgets expand quickly.



9. Transport

Taxi base fare starts around 12 AED and most short journeys: 35-70 AED.

Daily commuting by taxi can become expensive.


Alternatives:

  • Car lease: 1,800-3,500 per month

  • Buy / finance

  • Metro (location dependent)


Families typically need at least one car.



10. Schools (If Applicable)

International schools broadly:

  • Mid-tier: 35K-90K per year

  • Premium: 90K +


Deposits and application fees apply early.



11. What Employers Typically Cover

Standard:

  • Visa sponsorship

  • Medical insurance

  • Annual return flight

  • End of service gratuity


More senior packages may include:

  • Housing allowance

  • School allowance

  • Relocation support

  • Temporary accommodation


Some startup packages include visa + insurance only.



Final Thought

Dubai works exceptionally well financially for a lot of people.

But only if you understand:


  • How rent is structured

  • What comes upfront

  • What your employer is actually covering

  • And what lifestyle you plan to live


If you’re working through an offer and want help pressure-testing the numbers, speak to us.

It’s far easier to adjust expectations before relocation than after.

 
 
 

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