Dubai Cost of Living Calculator

It's possible but tight, especially if you want to rent alone. Many people at this salary share accommodation to reduce rent to AED 1,500–2,500. Transport by metro keeps costs low, and cooking at home rather than dining out makes a significant difference.

Many packages — especially for senior roles, government jobs, and multinational companies — include a separate housing allowance (typically 25–40% of basic salary). If yours does, your savings will be considerably higher than shown above. Always clarify if the salary quoted is basic only or an all-inclusive package.

DEWA (electricity and water) for a 1-bedroom apartment typically runs AED 300–500 in winter and AED 600–1,200 in summer (June–September) due to heavy air conditioning use. Larger villas can see summer bills of AED 2,000–4,000. The figures in this calculator include a rough average across the year.

Aim for 3–6 months of expenses as a buffer. Initial costs are high: you typically pay rent 1–4 cheques upfront (many landlords require 2–4 post-dated cheques), plus a 5% Ejari registration fee, a DEWA security deposit (AED 2,000 for apartments, AED 4,000 for villas), and furniture / setup costs. Budget at least AED 20,000–30,000 for first month setup on top of your regular monthly expenses.