Compare Gulf cities
Side-by-side typical costs in USD and quality-of-life scores. The lowest cost and highest score in each row are highlighted.
Compare up to four cities side by side.
| Metric | DubaiUnited Arab Emirates | Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Typical costs (USD) | ||
| 1-bed apartment (city centre) | $2,300 | $1,900 |
| 3-bed apartment (family area) | $5,200 | $4,300 |
| Utilities (monthly) | $260 | $240 |
| Groceries (single, monthly) | $650 | $620 |
| Dinner for two (mid-range) | $420 | $380 |
| Transport (monthly) | $250 | $230 |
| International school (yearly) | $1,700 | $1,600 |
| Private health insurance (monthly) | $220 | $200 |
| Quality of life (0–100) | ||
| Safety | 88 | 92 |
| Healthcare | 82 | 84 |
| Education | 86 | 83 |
| Infrastructure | 94 | 91 |
| Lifestyle | 92 | 82 |
| Climate comfort | 52 | 52 |
| Housing affordability | 48 | 56 |
| Purchasing power | 74 | 77 |
Figures are editorial estimates for planning purposes and vary by neighbourhood, lifestyle and season.