Dubai remains one of the favorite destinations for professionals, entrepreneurs, families, and investors around the world. The cost of living in Dubai, therefore, is also expensive. But before making any decision to move to this bustling city or planning a prolonged stay, an understanding of the living costs in Dubai in 2026 and their comparative analysis over the years is very important.
For this guide, we are going to break down the costs of housing, utilities, transport, food, education, healthcare, and lifestyle.
Let’s get started!
Healthcare Costs in Dubai
Dubai possesses one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It comprises several government and private healthcare centers and even international-standard medical centers approved and accredited by some of the best medical bodies in the world in the UK and US, among others.
Average costs
- Doctor consultation: Starting from AED 150
- Consulting Fee for Specialists: AED 300 to 700
- Primary Diagnostic Tests: AED 200 – 1,000
The residents mainly access healthcare services from private facilities due to the short wait time and modern healthcare services offered. The public healthcare facilities are inexpensive; however, access to the healthcare services may depend on the visa.
Health Insurance Costs in Dubai
Health insurance is mandatory for all Dubai residents. This applies whether the person is an employee or if the person is self-sponsored. Employed persons mostly have health insurance provided for them. However, the extent of the health insurance varies.
Average Health Insurance Premiums
- Basic individual plans: AED 800 – 1,500
- Mid-range plans: AED 2,000
- Comprehensive family plans: AED 5,000
Living cost in dubai with rent
- Rent constitutes the highest cost in Dubai, with the average studio or 1B apartment rental fee ranging between AED 5,000 and 15,000 annually. The rent depends on its location.
- Utilities (DEWA), internet, and cooling services add an average of AED 800-150
- Costs of transportation: This ranges from AED 300 to 1,000 depending on whether they are using public transportation or their own vehicle.
- On average, an individual will require AED 9,000 – 12,000+ per month for a comfortable living.
Note: For families, the total amount will range from AED 20,000 – 30,000+. This mostly includes the expenses related to rental, and education.
Food Costs in Dubai
Other than accommodation, food and grocery expenses are at about 15% of the average cost of living in Dubai per month. Costs largely depend on lifestyle choices such as cooking at home or eating out. Residents can easily keep their food expenses under control by buying from local supermarkets and preparing meals at home, while frequenting restaurants often can shoot up the monthly bill.
Average costs of groceries in Dubai include:
- Milk (1 litre) – starting from 7.2 AED
- Bread-loaf – starting from AED 5
- Eggs (dozen): AED 12
- Chicken fillets 1 kg: AED 33
- Food and grocery shopping per month for a single person costs between AED 1,200–1,500.
- Grocery for the month: AED 3,000+
Eating out is very common when it comes to living in Dubai, and the frequency and type of restaurants chosen will have an impact on the living cost average in Dubai. Affordable options are, however, widely available, despite some mid-range and licensed venues being costly.
Education Costs in Dubai
Education is one of the largest expenses for families living in Dubai. If you are planning to live here, you must prepare yourself beforehand.
The city offers a wide range of private schools in Dubai. The following British, American, IB, Indian (CBSE/ICSE), and other international curricula.
Average school fees
- Nursery: Starting from AED 15,000 – 35,000
- Primary school: Starting from AED 25,000 – 60,000
- Secondary school: Starting from AED 40,000 – 90,000
- Premium international schools: Starting from AED 100,000 – 120,000+
Cost of Living in Dubai – Starting Salaries
Salaries in Dubai remain competitive, especially in sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, construction, marketing, and business services. One of the biggest advantages of working in Dubai is zero personal income tax, allowing residents to retain their full earnings.
Average Monthly Salaries by Role
- Administrative & entry-level roles: AED 3,000 – 5,000
- Mid-level professionals: AED 6,000 – 15,000
- Senior professionals & managers: AED 18,000 – 35,000+
Many employment packages also include benefits such as:
- Health insurance
- Housing allowance
- Transportation allowance
- Annual air tickets
- Education support for dependents
Final Thoughts
There are flexible options when it comes to living expenses in Dubai, ranging from affordable areas to upmarket ones that allow a person to live as their standard warrants. Though certain expenses like health care, health insurance, and schooling can be quite costly—especially when considering families—the possibility of receiving tax-free salaries mitigates these costs to a certain extent.
It can be a comfortable and rewarding experience for a person to stay in Dubai with smart planning and proper support. At DXB-VIP, we can help people in getting a UAE golden visa, trade license, and business setup services so that one can easily move to Dubai.