Dubai & Gulf Cost of Living Calculator 2026
Build your real monthly budget before you relocate or negotiate your salary. Real 2026 figures, not guesses.
The budget builder
Configure your lifestyle — totals use midpoints from our 2026 market bands (AED).
Housing
Estimated monthly rent: AED 5,800 – AED 9,000
Lifestyle
Family (school & healthcare)Tap to expand
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh
Same lifestyle configuration — monthly cost by city. Winner uses lowest amount converted to AED equivalent for Riyadh (illustrative FX).
| Category | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Riyadh | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (mid of range) | AED 7,400 | AED 8,100 | SAR 4,000 | Riyadh |
| Groceries | AED 1,450 | AED 1,550 | SAR 1,100 | Riyadh |
| Dining out | AED 1,250 | AED 1,350 | SAR 950 | Riyadh |
| Transport | AED 850 | AED 920 | SAR 580 | Riyadh |
| Entertainment | AED 900 | AED 850 | SAR 700 | Riyadh |
| School (if applicable) | AED 0 | AED 0 | SAR 0 | Tie |
| Healthcare top-up | AED 220 | AED 250 | SAR 180 | Riyadh |
| Utilities | AED 580 | AED 620 | SAR 450 | Riyadh |
| Misc. buffer (10%) | AED 1,265 | AED 1,364 | SAR 796 | Riyadh |
| Total monthly | AED 13,915 | AED 15,004 | SAR 8,756 | Riyadh |
Money-saving tips (Gulf edition)
Share accommodation first year
Splitting a 2BR with a flatmate often beats a solo studio on price per bed — especially mid-range towers in JVC or Al Barsha while you learn the market.
Stack Ramadan promotions
Hotels and malls run set menus and retail sales; groceries shift timing — plan bulk buys after Iftar crowds peak, not before.
Carrefour vs Spinneys
Spinneys and Waitrose win on convenience and imports; Carrefour and Lulu win on staples. Mix: weekly premium run + monthly bulk haul.
Nol card discipline
Gold class and taxis add up fast. Set a weekly taxi cap and use Metro + last-mile walk for predictable commutes.
School waiting lists
Apply the year before you need a seat; mid-year places open when families rotate. Budget private options can fill gaps while you wait for a Tier-1 seat.