Are you considering moving to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates? If your answer is yes, then you must know in depth everything about the cost of living in Abu Dhabi. If that is what you are seeking, then this guide is tailored for you. Explore the Abu Dhabi standard of living and how much it costs here.
- What is the Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi
- Housing
- Utilities
- Transport
- Groceries
- Leisure
- Schools and Nurseries
- FAQs
What is the Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi
First of all, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi may seem more expensive than in other emirates or other cities around the world. However, the quality of life is fully worth it. Generally speaking, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi for a single person would be estimated at around AED 3,470.6 monthly, that is, without rent. On the other hand, this amount differs when it comes to families. For instance, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi with a family of four would be estimated at AED 12,040.8 monthly.
Note that the numbers within this guide are retrieved from Numbeo.com. This is a platform fully dedicated to estimating the cost of living anywhere on the globe. Also, their cost of living database is constantly updated and includes various factors. Thus making it a reliable source.
Housing
To begin with, the first thing to look into before moving anywhere is the housing situation, prices, and options. Luckily, when it comes to properties in Abu Dhabi for sale or rent, the options are plenty. Similarly, the prices vary based on what you choose and where you choose it. In other words, finding a cheap apartment for rent in Abu Dhabi monthly is very easy regardless of the location.
Overall, the residential communities in Abu Dhabi are family-friendly. They also offer seamless accessibility to many amenities and facilities. This includes schools, parks, nurseries, malls and more. To provide a clearer picture of the average rent and sale prices, see the table below.
| Apartment Monthly Rental | In City Centre | Outside of Centre |
| 1 bedroom | AED 5,027.09 | AED 3,700.00 |
| 3 bedrooms | AED 11,170.38 | AED 8,093.23 |
On the other hand, if you are curious about buying an apartment in Abu Dhabi. Then, the prices would vary, but the factors affecting these prices would still be the same. Buying an apartment in the city’s centre would be estimated at AED 18,872.88 per square metre. In contrast, it is estimated at AED 16,506.44 per square metre outside of the city’s centre. This leads to the conclusion that property prices outside the centre of Abu Dhabi are cheaper.
Utilities
After housing, understanding the pricing of utilities in Abu Dhabi is very important. This will help you set your living budget and understand your expenses. Most importantly, note that the cost of living in Abu Dhabi for bachelors can be way less.
Firstly, the average water and electricity bill in Abu Dhabi is estimated to be around AED 608.44 monthly. Note that this estimation is for an 85-square-metre apartment. Additionally, electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage are not the only utilities one should keep in mind. There are also other bills to consider, such as:
- Monthly mobile plans: AED 209.43
- Internet: AED 385.58
Transport
In addition, the capital of the United Arab Emirates fosters a massive network of buses and taxis. This makes travelling across Abu Dhabi very seamless and convenient. Firstly, taxis are widely spread throughout the emirate. You will easily find one at the entrance of malls, residential towers, restaurants, and anywhere else. Also, you can call ahead and book a taxi if you need to. Nevertheless, see below the taxi cost in Abu Dhabi in detail:
- Fare start: AED 12
- An addition of AED 1.88 per 1 kilometre
- 1-hour waiting: AED 30
Secondly, Abu Dhabi is serviced by a vast network of public buses. If you plan on using the bus daily, then you may want to consider purchasing a Hafilat Card. Obtaining this card will have various perks. For instance, you will get great offers and discounts on bus rides, and you will pay with a quick swipe without hassling with change. See below the Hafilat Card price breakdown:
- Purchasing the card: AED 5 – AED 10
- Charge amount can vary from AED 10 to AED 100
- Weekly pass: AED 30
- Monthly pass: AED 80
- Student’s pass: AED 500
Groceries
Furthermore, among the most important expenses to keep in mind are groceries. If you are wondering how much groceries would cost you on a monthly basis, According to Numbeo.com, the average cost of groceries in Abu Dhabi is around AED 664.88 and AED 891.85. Additionally, here are the prices for selected grocery items:
- White Bread (500 grams): AED 5
- Rice (1 kilo): AED 6.55
- Eggs (a pack of 12): AED 10.30
- Apples (1 kilo): AED 7.78
- Tomato (1 kilo): AED 5.21
- Potato (1 kilo): AED 3.66
- Water (1.5 litre bottle): AED 1.91
Leisure
There are many fun things to do in Abu Dhabi. This includes eating out, watching movies, going to a theme park, and more. For instance, if you want to dine out in one of the many restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Then, you should know that the prices vary depending on the venue. Overall, eating at restaurants in Abu Dhabi would cost from AED 40 to AED 265 per two people. Note that these are the average prices. They can cost more or less depending on the restaurant. In addition, find below the average prices for other leisure and fun activities in Abu Dhabi:
- Joining a fitness club: AED 250.11 a month
- Renting a tennis court: AED 108.46 per hour
- Watching a movie: AED 50 a seat
- Having a cup of cappuccino: AED 20.99
Schools and Nurseries
There are many schools in Abu Dhabi that are perfect for your little ones. The schools in the capital vary between American schools and British schools, but they all offer the same high-quality academic programmes. In addition, the same goes for the nurseries in Abu Dhabi for preschoolers and toddlers. These nurseries pay serious attention to little children’s milestone development. So, if you are wondering about the cost of childcare and education in Abu Dhabi, here are the average prices:
- Preschool or Kindergarten: AED 2,657.64 monthly per 1 child
International Primary School: AED 45,923.08 yearly per 1 child
FAQs
The Abu Dhabi license cost is divided into two parts. One is the written exam, which costs AED 100. And two is the licence conversion which is AED 250. Additionally, driving lessons cost about AED 830 in addition to AED 50 to take the exam.
The family visa requirements and costs are all the same in the UAE regardless of the emirate. The overall cost is around AED 2450 – AED 4222, depending on years and insurance. The same goes for the Abu Dhabi employment visa cost as well.
Living in Abu Dhabi is more expensive than living in Delhi, Delhi. This includes rent, groceries, and restaurants. Overall, Abu Dhabi is 130.3% more expensive than Delhi.
Mawaqif System oversees the parking fees in Abu Dhabi. The fees are AED 2 per hour for standard parking and AED 15 for the whole day. On the other hand, premium parking is AED 3 per hour.
This depends on the type of business, but it would be estimated at around AED 15,000 to AED 50,000.
It is very easy to find cheap hotels in Abu Dhabi, such as Aloft Abu Dhabi, Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport, and others.
To sum up, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi may be higher than that of other cities across the globe. Nevertheless, the quality of life here is unmatched. Therefore, many people choose to reside in the capital of the UAE. In addition, make sure to explore Abu Dhabi and other emirates more with Property Finder’s blog.
