Cost of Living in Dubai 2025 – Monthly Expenses, Rent & Budget Tips

Known as the "Pearl of the Gulf", Dubai is famous for international students because it has top universities, offers good quality education, and is a safe place to live. Also, it has an easy student visa, people from many cultures, and popular job options for graduates. Living in Dubai is exciting, but you should also know about the cost of living in Dubai before moving.

Dubai is a costly destination for many international students and workers. Things like rent, groceries, transport, and mobile data can take up a big part of your monthly budget. According to the latest data, Dubai is ranked as the 15th most expensive city in the world. The average cost of living in Dubai is 169.3% more expensive than in Delhi,  India. 

As of 2025, the average monthly living expenses in Dubai is around 4,1500 AED for a single person, excluding the rent. For a family of four, the cost of living in Dubai for international students is around 14,400 AED per month.

The higher living costs can be dependent on multiple factors. However, the good thing is, with the right planning and student discounts, you can manage your cost of living in Dubai in a better way. In this article, we will discuss the average monthly expenses of living in Dubai, the  annual cost of studying in top universities in Dubai, hidden costs, and tips to manage the higher budget of living in the “Land of Opportunities.

Also Read: Study in UAE in 2025: Top Universities

Average Monthly Living Costs in Dubai

The cost of living in Dubai depends on many things, like accommodation, food, transport, health, and other daily expenses. On average, a single person may need around AED 3,300–4,000 per month, without rent. If it is a family of four, then they may spend around AED 11,000–15,000 per month, also without house rent. 

Here, we have included the average living cost of Indian students in Dubai. 

Expense Category	Average Monthly Cost (AED)	Average Monthly Cost (INR)
Accommodation	7,200 AED	INR 1,67,976
Groceries	400 AED	INR 9,332
Utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity)	789 AED	INR 18,400
Internet & Mobile	600 AED	INR 13,998
Transport	300 AED	INR 7,000
Dining Out & Food Delivery	500 AED	INR 11,665
Leisure & Entertainment	500 AED	INR 11,665
Miscellaneous (Clothing, Toiletries, etc.)	300 AED	INR 7,000

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED= 23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate.

Also Read: Study in UAE for Free: Scholarships & Funding Guide 2025

Accommodation Costs in Dubai

Accommodation in Dubai accounts for a big part of the monthly living costs. Honestly, rent in Dubai is quite high, especially compared to cities in India. It’s almost 795% higher than Delhi, which sounds a bit shocking at first.

The place you pick to live makes a lot of difference. A studio apartment is cheaper than a big flat or a fancy villa. If you stay alone, your cost is less, but if you live with others or with family, the cost goes up. Also, houses in the city centre are costlier than ones outside the city. So, students mostly prefer shared flats or hostel rooms near their college to save money.

Rent also depends on small things like whether the place is furnished, how far it is from the university, or which area it is in. Honestly, if you’re planning to study in Dubai, knowing this in advance helps a lot.

Cost of Accommodations in Dubai

Housing Type	Average Monthly Rent (AED)	Average Monthly Rent (INR)
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	8,818 AED	INR 2,05,621
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	5,711 AED	INR 1,33,292
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	16,854 AED	INR 3,93,275
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	10,945 AED	INR 2,55,366

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED= 23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate.

Also Read: Student Visa in Dubai

Cost of Groceries in Dubai

Cost of groceries in Dubai is not very cheap, especially if you like international brands or eat out a lot. But if you buy local items from regular supermarkets, you can save some money. Basic grocery items like rice, milk, bread, eggs, fruits, and vegetables are easily available, but prices can change based on where you shop.

Items	Average Monthly Cost (AED)	Average Monthly Cost (INR)
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	7 AED	163 INR
Rice (white), (1kg)	8 AED	187 INR
Eggs (regular) (12)	12 AED	280 INR
Apples (1kg)	8 AED	198 INR
Banana (1kg)	7 AED	163 INR
Oranges (1kg)	7 AED	160 INR
Tomato (1kg)	6 AED	132 INR
Potato (1kg)	4 AED	104 INR
Onion (1kg)	5 AED	110 INR
Lettuce (1 head)	5 AED	120 INR
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	2 AED	57 INR

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED= 23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate.

Also Read: MBA in Dubai Cost: Tuition, Living & More

Cost of Transportation in Dubai 

Transportation in Dubai is pretty good and gives many options for students and working people. You can travel using the metro, buses, taxis, or even your own car. For students, using a monthly metro or bus pass is the cheapest way to travel around the city. Taxis are a bit costly, and owning a car in Dubai can be expensive due to fuel and car prices. Below is a table showing the average transportation cost in Dubai in AED and INR.

Transportation Mode	Average Cost (AED)	Average Cost (INR)
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	6 AED	140 INR
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	300 AED	7,000 INR
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	12 AED	280 INR
Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)	3 AED	70 INR
Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	30 AED	700 INR
Gasoline (1 liter)	3 AED	70 INR
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (New Car)	120,000 AED	2,79,9600 INR
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (New Car)	83,848 AED	19,55,210 INR

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED= 23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate. 

Cost of Dining in Dubai

Eating out in Dubai can be cheap or expensive, depending on where you go. If you eat at a small local restaurant, the meal is not very costly. But if you go to a mid-range restaurant for a nice dinner with someone, then it can be a bit expensive. Below is a small table that shows the average dining cost in Dubai in AED and INR.

Fooding	Average Cost (AED)	Average Cost (INR)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	40 AED	930 INR
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	293 AED	6,840 INR

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED= 23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate. 

Utilities and Internet in Dubai

When you live in Dubai, you have to pay for basic utilities like electricity, water, and cooling. These are important because of the hot weather. You also need a good internet connection and a mobile plan to stay connected. Below is the table that shows the average monthly cost for utilities and internet in Dubai in AED and INR.

Service	Average Monthly Cost (AED)	Average Cost (INR)
Basic Utilities for 85m² Apartment (Electricity, Water, Garbage, Cooling)	789 AED	18,400 INR
Mobile Plan (Calls + 10GB+ Data)	228 AED	5,320 INR
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data)	371 AED	8,660 INR

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED =  23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. It might change in the future based on the conversion rate. 

Hidden Living Expenses in Dubai

When students plan to study in Dubai, they mostly check the main costs like rent and food. But many hidden living expenses in Dubai come later and can affect your budget. These include sports activities, and things like clothes and entertainment.

If you like going to the gym, a monthly gym fee in Dubai is around 316 AED. Want to play tennis on weekends? That can cost 166 AED per hour. Watching a movie in cinema? That is also 52 AED per ticket.

Also, buying clothes and shoes in Dubai is not very cheap. A pair of jeans may cost around 292 AED, and sports shoes from a brand like Nike can go up to 424 AED.

So, if you add up these extra things, the average hidden expenses in Dubai can easily reach around 800 AED to 1,200 AED per month, depending on your lifestyle. It is better to keep some extra budget for these small but regular costs.

Best Universities in UAE with Ranking & Fees - Study Abroad

Cost of Studying in Dubai

Here's a list of the Top 5 Universities in Dubai and their average annual undergraduate tuition fees:

University	Approx. Annual Tuition (AED)	Approx. Annual Tuition (INR)
American University in Dubai (AUD)	60,000 – 85,000	INR 13,99,800 – INR 19,83,050
University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)	57,000 – 98,000	INR 13,29,810 – INR 22,86,340
Heriot‑Watt University Dubai	55,000 – 80,000	INR 12,83,150 – INR 18,66,400
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai	35,500 – 48,000	INR 8,28,215 – INR 11,19,840
Middlesex University Dubai	45,000 – 70,000	INR 10,49,850 – INR 16,33,100

Note: All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 AED= 23.33 INR, rounded to the nearest 0. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate.

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Tips to Manage Living Costs in Dubai

Living in Dubai can be a bit costly, especially for international students or people who are new in the city. But don’t worry, with some smart steps, you can manage your living costs in Dubai without too much stress. Here are some simple tips:

• Live in shared accommodation: Renting a full flat alone in Dubai is expensive. It’s better to share an apartment with other students or friends. This helps save a lot on monthly rent and utilities.
• Use public transport: Dubai has a good metro and bus system. Get a monthly travel pass instead of taking taxis every day. It is much cheaper and also faster to go to colleges and workplaces.
• Cook at home: Eating out every day is not good for your budget. Try to cook at home as much as possible. Buying groceries from local shops and cooking meals can save a lot of money every month.
• Use student discounts: Many places in Dubai give student discounts on food, gym, internet, cinema, and even shopping. Always carry your student ID and ask before paying.
• Choose budget areas: Staying outside the city centre can lower your living costs. Areas away from tourist spots are cheaper in rent and even in grocery prices.
• Avoid unnecessary shopping: Dubai malls are tempting, but try not to spend on too many clothes or gadgets you don’t need. Keep that for later when you have extra savings.
• Plan your budget monthly: Make a small budget plan every month. Track your daily expenses, like how much you spend on transport, food, and fun. This helps you stay in control.
• Use Wi-Fi at home: Instead of buying a big mobile data plan, use Wi-Fi at your place for calls and internet. Mobile plans can be expensive in Dubai if you use a lot of data.

These small things can help you manage your money better while living in Dubai. You don’t have to cut everything, just be smart and spend wisely.

Top MBA Colleges in Dubai with Fees & Admission Details!

Conclusion

Dubai offers a high-quality lifestyle with costs varying by location and family size. For a comfortable life with savings, aim for a monthly salary of AED 55,000+ if you have three children and plan to return to the UK in 4–5 years. 

If you need personalized advice on managing Dubai’s cost of living, career opportunities, or relocation planning, connect with upGrad experts. They can help you make informed decisions for a smooth transition.