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Cost of living
in Abu Dhabi.

Living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates costs about $2,600/month all-in for one person, and roughly $5,980/month for a family of four. That is cheaper than 14% of the 310 cities we track, and about 33% below New York.

Last updated August 2026 · How we calculate this

Single person, all-in $2,600/mo
Rent (studio)$1,170
Food & groceries$572
Utilities & internet$260
Transport$208
Fun & everything else$390
Family of four$5,980/mo
How it ranks

Cheaper than 14% of the 310 cities we track.

About 33% cheaper than New York.

Population 1.8M
Moving to United Arab Emirates? Full guide → Your take-home pay here → Salary you'd need here → Can I afford it? → What the move itself costs →

Figures are average all-in monthly costs for one person, in USD — estimates for guidance, not a personal budget. The breakdown is a typical split of the total. Convert to your currency →

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Living in Abu Dhabi — FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Abu Dhabi?

A single person needs roughly $2,600/month all-in in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — rent, food, transport and utilities. A family of four runs closer to $5,980/month.

Is Abu Dhabi expensive?

Abu Dhabi is cheaper than 14% of the 310 cities we track, and about 33% cheaper than New York.

Similar cost of living

See the whole world by cost →

🇳🇱 The Hague $2,600🇳🇱 Utrecht $2,600🇸🇪 Stockholm $2,600🇩🇰 Aarhus $2,600🇫🇮 Helsinki $2,600🇶🇦 Doha $2,600🇺🇸 Portland $2,600🇺🇸 Austin $2,600

More cities in this country

🇦🇪 Dubai $2,900