Dubai vs Sharjah – what are the differences between the two emirates? Which one offers a better lifestyle? Or which one is less costly than the other? Within this guide, you will find the answers to these questions and more. Explore here a full comparison between Dubai and Sharjah in various criteria. This includes the cost of living, laws, the schooling system, and much more. Furthermore, note that all the statistics within this guide are retrieved from Numbeo.com – the world’s largest database on living costs.
Sharjah vs Dubai Cost of Living
First of all, when it comes to comparing the cost of living between Sharjah and Dubai. The obvious question is “Which is cheaper, Dubai or Sharjah?”. In addition, the cost of living is a wide concept that includes various living aspects. This includes the Dubai rentals vs Sharjah cost of living along with groceries, utilities, and restaurants. And transportation.
Firstly, the overall cost of living in Sharjah is much lower than in Dubai. For instance, the cost of living in Sharjah is 21% lower than in Dubai – that is, without rent. Nevertheless, even with rent, the cost in Sharjah is still lower than in Dubai by 36.8%. In other words, you can maintain an excellent lifestyle in Sharjah by paying way less than what you would pay in Dubai.
Moreover, if you are curious about other costs of living between the two emirates, then you will find a thorough breakdown of these costs below.
- Rental prices in Sharjah are 56.7% cheaper than in Dubai.
- For an 85-metre apartment, utilities would cost AED 631.23 in Sharjah, while they would cost AED 725.31 in Dubai.
- Eating at restaurants is 47.3% less expensive in Sharjah.
- Shopping for groceries is 17.8% lower in Sharjah.
- Taxi start fares in Sharjah start at AED 11.50, while they start at AED 6 in Dubai. This means taxi fares in Sharjah are higher.
Housing
As you can fathom, overall property prices are lower in Sharjah than in Dubai. This includes apartments whether you want to rent or buy. See the price breakdown below to get a clearer picture.
| Apartment | Monthly Rent in Dubai | Monthly Rent in Sharjah |
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre | AED 8,187.91 | AED 3,377.75 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre | AED 14,957.35 | AED 5,597.17 |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | AED 5,009.62 | AED 3,313.30 |
| 3-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | AED 10,481.58 | AED 4,442.21 |
On the other hand, when it comes to buying properties in Sharjah. You will find that the prices are also lower than in Dubai. See below the apartment prices in both emirates and how they may differ.
| Apartment | Price per Square Metre in Dubai | Price per Square Metre in Sharjah |
| apartment in the city centre | AED 17,334.88 | AED 13,250.00 |
| apartment outside the city centre | AED 10,376.55 | AED 9,000.00 |
Dubai Laws vs Sharjah Laws
Secondly, when it comes to the laws applied in both these emirates, then you will realise they both follow the same core federal laws. Both Dubai and Sharjah adhere to the UAE’s constitutions and its regulations in criminal activity, commercial transactions, visa requirements, et cetera.
However, the differences may be more visible in other matters. Generally speaking, Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai, and that is very clear to both residents and locals. For instance, the dress code in Sharjah requires it to be more modest, while Dubai’s dress code is less strict. Also, when it comes to alcohol, public display of affection, and nightlife. Sharjah is more strict and conventional. Also, the entertainment venues in Sharjah are more family-friendly and prudent than the ones in Dubai.
Dubai vs Sharjah Schooling System
Moreover, the schooling system in the United Arab Emirates is very progressive and diverse. When it comes to finding a school in Dubai – many options will present themselves. Whether you want a British curriculum school or an American one. Both are easily found in Dubai.
Sharjah is smaller than Dubai, thus naturally it would have fewer school options. Regardless of that, it still offers an equally diverse schooling system for locals and expats alike. The schools in Sharjah also offer various curriculums – including American, British, Indian, and Pakistani.
American University of Sharjah vs American University of Dubai
In addition, when it comes to higher education, both emirates present some of the best universities in the UAE. Both these universities offer a wide range of programmes for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. Also, they both foster a vibrant life at their campuses.
But how do these two universities differ? Firstly, the main difference is that one is in Dubai while the other is in Sharjah. Secondly, the tuition fees may also differ. That depends on the programme and degree. Find out below more differences between the two universities.
| Criteria | American University of Sharjah | American University of Dubai |
| Total Students | 5,024 | 1,739 |
| International Students | 3,695 | 1,436 |
| Faculty Staff | 411 | 213 |
| Rating | 332 | 621 – 630 |
Sharjah Airport vs Dubai Airport
These days, many visitors are heading to Dubai but landing at Sharjah Airport rather than Dubai International Airport. Why? Because there is a huge belief that Sharjah International Airport is more pocket-friendly. Nevertheless, both international airports feature three major terminals with hundreds of airlines flying from and to them. Regardless of which airport you choose to travel from, you will be guaranteed a pleasant airport experience without a doubt.
Tourist Attractions
Moreover, both Dubai and Sharjah are filled with tourist attractions. When it comes to the things to do in Sharjah, the list will include visiting historical sites, theme parks, and other classic landmarks. In contrast, Dubai’s tourist attractions are more diverse between cosmopolitan attractions and historical ones.
Sharjah Aquarium vs Dubai Aquarium
One of the best places to visit in Dubai is Dubai Mall, which will lead you easily to the Dubai Aquarium. This is not your typical aquarium, but it is also an underwater zoo. Here, visitors can enjoy various activities such as meeting and feeding animals, snorkelling, and scuba diving. Also, the ticket prices are AED 199 during weekdays, and AED 209 on weekends.
In opposition to Dubai Aquarium, Sharjah Aquarium can be considered more humble. In fact, this aquarium focuses on recreational programmes such as its rehabilitation programmes. Also, the entry fees are of nominal value. Ticket prices for children vary between AED 10 and AED 15, and they range between AED 15 and AED 25 for adults.
Shopping Centres
Furthermore, both emirates are home to a wide range of shopping centres and malls that are worth visiting. For instance, when it comes to Dubai vs Sharjah electronics shopping, you will find a wide range of retail destinations that are of equal quality. See below some of the best malls in both emirates:
- Malls in Dubai
- The Dubai Mall
- Mall of the Emirates
- Dubai Festival City Mall
- City Centre Mirdif
- Ibn Battuta Mall
- Malls in Sharjah
- Sharjah City Centre
- Sahara Centre
- Mega Mall
- Al Shaab Village
- Oasis Mall
Salaries
Many people choose where to live based on how much money they can make. Therefore, this criteria is very important to be familiar with. When it comes to the average net salary per month, statistics show that Dubai’s salaries are higher than Sharjah. On average, the monthly salary in Dubai is AED 14,176.37, while in Sharjah it would be around AED 7,106.25 approximately. So, while Dubai may be more expensive in certain aspects, its salaries are higher to keep up with the overall living costs.
Setting Up a Company in Sharjah vs Dubai
Furthermore, if you want to start up your own company but are unsure where. Then you may want to study the nature of both emirates before making a final decision. Firstly, Dubai is more of a vibrant economic hub than Sharjah. It is more globally renowned, as it offers diverse opportunities and excellent infrastructure. Nevertheless, it may be more costly and more competitive.
On the other hand, Sharjah is more of a cultural hub. It is more affordable too, which can be great, especially for startups. However, Sharjah is more culturally sensitive and lacks free zones when compared to Dubai. So, your business plan and the nature of your project will decide which emirate is better to house your company.
FAQ
Not necessarily. Both emirates have family-friendly communities and leisure facilities.
That depends on where you are shopping, and what you are shopping for. But overall, shopping in Sharjah is cheaper than shopping in Dubai.
Nurseries in Sharjah are cheaper than in Dubai. According to Numbeo, nurseries in Sharjah would cost AED 1,081.82 a month on average. At the same time, they would cost AED 2,815.62 in Dubai per month.
To conclude, when it comes to Dubai vs Sharjah – both emirates offer lavish amenities and leisure facilities. The core differences between the two are visible in the cost of living and the nature of each emirate. For instance, Dubai is more bustling, and Sharjah is more traditional. In addition, explore more similar guides with Property Finder’s blog. For example, read about Abu Dhabi vs Dubai as well as Ajman vs Sharjah.
