Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi vs Shanghai

Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 24% higher than in Shanghai (without rent).

Rent in Abu Dhabi is 89% more expensive than in Shanghai.

Cost of living including rent in Abu Dhabi is 59% higher than in Shanghai.

Food in Abu Dhabi is 51% more expensive than in Shanghai.

Transport in Abu Dhabi is 40% cheaper than in Shanghai.

Abu Dhabi vs. Shanghai Comparision

Abu Dhabi Shanghai
Cost of Living, including rent
1,802 $
1,136 $
Without Rent
662 $
535 $
Rent & Utilities
1,140 $
602 $
Food
442 $
293 $
Transport
69 $
116 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3,906 $
1,905 $
Quality of Life
83
79
Population
1.5M
24.9M

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Abu Dhabi Shanghai

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
10.9 $ 3.99 $
Dinner, for 2 76.3 $ 42.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.62 $ 5.51 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 10.9 $ 1.43 $
Capuccino 5.81 $ 3.61 $
Coke, 330ml 1.09 $ 0.53 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.79 $ 2.41 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.34 $ 1.99 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.04 $ 1.41 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.07 $ 2.11 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.41 $ 15.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.83 $ 3.46 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.7 $ 11.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.12 $ 2.33 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.8 $ 1.64 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.75 $ 2.05 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.06 $ 0.98 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.24 $ 1.07 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.38 $ 0.37 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.66 $ 1.32 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 13.6 $ 11.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.21 $ 0.86 $
Cigarette pack 6.21 $ 3.51 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.67 $ 0.57 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 24.7 $ 36.1 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.8 $ 1.19 $
Taxi, 8 km 7.28 $ 6.13 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 90.5 $ 90.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 5.61 $ 6.62 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 5.03 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 4.83 $ 1.72 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 4.95 $ 2.03 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
95.9 $ 36.3 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
147 $ 56.1 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
104 $ 16.9 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 880 $ 461 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,207 $ 1,181 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,179 $ 897 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,759 $ 2,549 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 4,957 $ 16,156 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,315 $ 8,893 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,906 $ 1,905 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 5.18 % 4.28 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 66.9 $ 55 $
Cinema, 1 seat 13.7 $ 8.47 $
Haircut 13.7 $ 11.9 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 105 $ 78.6 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 67.3 $ 58.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 667 $ 1,263 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 12,787 $ 31,401 $