Cost of Living in Dubai vs Shanghai

Cost of living in Dubai is 47% higher than in Shanghai (without rent).

Rent in Dubai is 153% more expensive than in Shanghai.

Cost of living including rent in Dubai is 103% higher than in Shanghai.

Food in Dubai is 56% more expensive than in Shanghai.

Transport in Dubai is 59% more expensive than in Shanghai.

Dubai vs. Shanghai Comparision

Dubai Shanghai
Cost of Living, including rent
2,309 $
1,136 $
Without Rent
786 $
535 $
Rent & Utilities
1,523 $
602 $
Food
458 $
293 $
Transport
185 $
116 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3,493 $
1,905 $
Quality of Life
86
79
Population
3.3M
24.9M

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Dubai Shanghai

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
10.5 $ 3.99 $
Dinner, for 2 70.2 $ 42.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.4 $ 5.51 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 12.1 $ 1.43 $
Capuccino 6.12 $ 3.61 $
Coke, 330ml 1.36 $ 0.53 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.77 $ 2.41 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.49 $ 1.99 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.15 $ 1.41 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.24 $ 2.11 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 11 $ 15.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.27 $ 3.46 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 10 $ 11.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.38 $ 2.33 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.87 $ 1.64 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.89 $ 2.05 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.26 $ 0.98 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.52 $ 1.07 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.41 $ 0.37 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.19 $ 1.32 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 15.2 $ 11.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.6 $ 0.86 $
Cigarette pack 5.98 $ 3.51 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 1.64 $ 0.57 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 84.2 $ 36.1 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.82 $ 1.19 $
Taxi, 8 km 11.1 $ 6.13 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 88.8 $ 90.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.18 $ 6.62 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 5.49 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.95 $ 1.72 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 3.85 $ 2.03 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
131 $ 36.3 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
202 $ 56.1 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
86 $ 16.9 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,170 $ 461 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,171 $ 1,181 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,850 $ 897 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 3,310 $ 2,549 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 6,006 $ 16,156 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 3,452 $ 8,893 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,493 $ 1,905 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.64 % 4.28 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 75.9 $ 55 $
Cinema, 1 seat 13.4 $ 8.47 $
Haircut 9.53 $ 11.9 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 98.6 $ 78.6 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 56.6 $ 58.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 779 $ 1,263 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 12,682 $ 31,401 $