How Much We Spend In Dubai In 2025? A Monthly Breakdown

Table of Contents
Introduction

A lot of people ask US, “How much money do you have to make or spend in Dubai to live?” So in today’s article, We’re not only going to tell you how much we think you should spend, but we are also going to break down exactly how much we personally spend every single month in Dubai to live here.

We’ll be going over everything—groceries, rent, transportation, entertainment, utilities, and more. If we miss anything, drop a comment, and we would be happy to answer. Now, these expenses were directly pulled from our banking app, Wio Bank, which we use in the UAE. So these numbers are pretty much spot on.

To give you an idea of where we live, we stay in Downtown Dubai, with a stunning view of Burj Khalifa from our balcony. It’s one of the best areas in Dubai, which makes our rent a bit higher. But honestly, for the location and quality of life, We find the price pretty reasonable. So let’s dive into it!

1. Rent 

Rent in Dubai is a hot topic because it’s paid differently compared to many Western countries. In places like the US or Canada, most people pay rent monthly. But in Dubai, landlords prefer annual payments upfront. If you’re lucky, you might get a quarterly or biannual payment plan, but monthly payments are rare (and more expensive).

For our unfurnished apartment in Downtown Dubai, We paid 110,000 AED per year, which is about $30,000 USD. If you break it down, that’s around $2,500 per month. But since we paid everything upfront, We avoided extra fees or a higher monthly rate.

If we paid quarterly or biannually, our rent might have increased to 115,000-120,000 AED per year ($31,000-$32,500 USD), pushing our monthly cost to $2,750-$3,000 USD.

Paying upfront takes the stress away—no monthly rent worries!

Can You Rent for Cheaper?

Yes, absolutely! If you move outside of Downtown Dubai or Marina, you can get a great one-bedroom apartment for around 50,000-70,000 AED per year ($13,500-$19,000 USD). Areas like Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Al Barsha, or Dubai Silicon Oasis are popular for more affordable housing.

2. Groceries & Dining 

We don’t eat out a lot, but when we do, we don’t cheap out either. Here’s what we typically spend:

Groceries: $1,300 per month 

Dining Out: $500 per month 

We buy high-quality groceries, including organic food, premium meats, and imported products. If you’re on a budget, you can easily cut grocery costs in half by shopping at Carrefour or Union Coop instead of premium supermarkets like Waitrose or Spinneys.

For dining out, Dubai has a range of options:

Affordable: Local cafeterias or food courts ($5-$10 per meal)

Mid-range: Casual restaurants ($20-$50 per meal)

Luxury: Fine dining ($100+ per meal)

3. Transportation 

Even though we own a car, we still use Uber and Careem for convenience. Here’s our breakdown:

Uber & Careem: $600 per month 

Petrol & Car Expenses: Included in that cost 

Public transport is affordable and efficient, with a metro pass costing around $100 per month. If you live near a metro station, you can easily save money on transport.

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4. Utilities & Subscriptions 

DEWA (Electricity & Water): $200 per month 

Wi-Fi & Mobile Plans: $200 per month 

Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, etc.: Included in the above 

Utilities depend on your AC usage—summer bills are higher since you’ll be running the AC all day.

5. Shopping & Personal Expenses 

This varies, but on average, We spend:

Clothing & Miscellaneous: $800 per month 

Health & Medication: $200 per month 

Laundry (Bed Sheets & Towels): $100 per month 

Donations & Tips: $300 per month 

6. Entertainment & Leisure 

We don’t party much, but we do enjoy sporting events, concerts, and fine dining. Dubai has world-class entertainment options, and here’s my typical spending:

Events & Experiences: $500 per month 

Gym Membership: $100 per month

A gym membership can range from $50 (basic gyms) to $400+ (luxury gyms) like Train SF or Warehouse Gym.

7. Total Monthly Cost
Can You Live in Dubai for Less? 

Yes! Here’s how much you need for different lifestyles:

Luxury Lifestyle (Downtown/Marina, Eating Out, Cars, Shopping): $6,000-$10,000 per month 

Mid-Range Lifestyle (JVC, Marina, Eating Out Occasionally): $3,500-$5,000 per month 

Budget Lifestyle (Shared Housing, Public Transport, Cooking at Home): $1,500-$2,500 per month 

Why Dubai Is Worth It 

Dubai isn’t just about luxury—it’s about financial freedom. Here’s why it’s a smart move:

✅ No Income Tax – If you earn $64,000 per year in Dubai, you keep all of it. In the US, after taxes, you’d only get around $45,000.

✅ Great Work-Life Balance – The city is safe, clean, and well-developed.

✅ Amazing Opportunities – You’re in a global business hub, making connections with top entrepreneurs.

Final Thoughts 

Dubai is as affordable or expensive as you make it. If you want to live comfortably, expect to spend $5,000-$7,000 per month. But if you’re budget-conscious, you can easily live for $2,000-$3,000 per month.

So, how much do you need to live in Dubai? It depends on your lifestyle. Whether you’re here for business, travel, or a fresh start, Dubai offers something for everyone.

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