Hey everyone! Welcome back to my blog.
Today, we’re going to dive into something that’s crucial for anyone planning to move to Dubai and live alone. In this video, I’ll be giving you an Annual/Monthly Cost Breakdown for a Single Person Living in Dubai: for a single person living in Dubai.
We’ll cover everything from rent, utilities, and groceries to the often overlooked expenses like registrations, deposits, and moving costs. Whether you’re moving to Dubai for the first time or are planning to live on your own for the first time, this article is packed with information to help you budget and plan. So, let’s get into it!
Rent & One-Time Expenses
The first and probably the biggest cost is rent. Rent in Dubai varies widely depending on location, size, and amenities, but for a single person, you’re looking at around AED 25,000 to AED 45,000 annually for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment.
If you’re opting for a new, more central area, the prices are going to be on the higher side. But it’s not just rent that you need to think about—there are one-time costs like the security deposit and agency fees that add up quickly.
Annual Rent for Studio/1BHK: AED 25,000 – AED 45,000
Security Deposit (One-Time): Usually around 5% of your annual rent, so AED 1,250 – AED 2,250
Agency Fees (One-Time): About 5% of rent, so AED 1,250 – AED 2,250
Ejari (One-Time Registration Fee): AED 280
These one-time costs are often unexpected, so make sure you’re prepared. Also, factor in the cost of furnishing your place. If you’re moving into an unfurnished apartment, you’ll need to budget for furniture, appliances, kitchenware, and other home essentials. You can find budget-friendly furniture options from places like IKEA, but if you’re going for mid-range, you’ll be looking at around AED 10,000 – AED 15,000 to furnish a small apartment.
Furnishing (One-Time): AED 10,000 – AED 15,000 (depending on quality and where you shop)
Utility Bills & Monthly Expenses
Once you’ve settled into your new apartment, the next thing you need to budget for are your utility bills. In Dubai, utilities are typically handled by DEWA, which covers your water and electricity. Depending on your usage, you’ll pay AED 120 to AED 500 a month. If you’re in a building where AC is free, you’re lucky, but if it’s included in your bill, expect that higher range.
DEWA Monthly: AED 120 – AED 500
Annual DEWA: AED 1,440 – AED 6,000
Then there’s Wi-Fi, which will set you back AED 300 to AED 400 per month, and mobile phone plans—starting at AED 125 for basic postpaid plans. If you’re new to Dubai, you’ll also need to purchase a SIM card and set up your phone. When I first moved, this was around AED 200 for a basic SIM setup.
Wi-Fi Monthly: AED 300 – AED 400
Annual Wi-Fi: AED 3,600 – AED 4,800
Phone Bill Monthly: AED 125+
Annual Phone Bill: AED 1,500+
Let’s not forget about gas for cooking. Depending on whether you have a pipeline service or cylinders, you’ll pay around AED 175 every 3 months.
Gas Quarterly: AED 175
Annual Gas: AED 700 - 1000
Groceries, Food & Dining Out
Next, we have groceries. For a single person cooking at home, you’ll probably spend AED 500 – AED 700 a month, or AED 6,000 – AED 8,400 annually. But this can vary depending on your preferences. If you’re shopping at higher-end supermarkets like Spinneys or Waitrose, or you prefer imported products, your grocery bills will be on the higher side.
Groceries Monthly: AED 500 – AED 700
Annual Groceries: AED 6,000 – AED 8,400
Dining out is another big cost to consider. Eating out at budget restaurants will cost you around AED 20 for a meal, but a slightly higher-end experience will set you back AED 50 or more. If you enjoy takeout or eating out frequently, you’ll be looking at around AED 1,000 to AED 1,200 a month.
Eating Out Monthly: AED 1,000 – AED 1,200
Annual Eating Out: AED 12,000 – AED 14,400
Transportation & Car Costs
Now let’s talk about transportation. If you’re buying a car, there are several costs to factor in. I personally paid for my car upfront, but if you’re getting a loan, EMIs start from AED 500 monthly for basic cars and can go up depending on the model and financing period. Then there’s car insurance, which costs AED 1,000 – AED 4,000 annually depending on the car’s value.
Car EMI (if applicable): AED 500+ monthly, AED 6,000+ annually
Car Insurance: AED 1,000 – AED 4,000 annually
On top of that, petrol is quite affordable, costing around AED 300 – AED 700 a month. But this depends on how much you drive and the type of car you own.
Petrol Monthly: AED 300 – AED 700
Annual Petrol: AED 3,600 – AED 8,400
Don’t forget maintenance. Budget around AED 250 to AED 1,000 a month for oil changes, car washes, and potential fines. If you’re not careful, fines in Dubai can pile up!
Car Maintenance Monthly: AED 250 – AED 1,000
Annual Car Maintenance: AED 3,000 – AED 12,000
If you don’t want to deal with the cost of owning a car, Dubai has excellent public transportation, and you can use apps like S'hail to get around. The metro is affordable, and taxis are everywhere.
Miscellaneous & Unexpected Costs
Now for some additional costs. Medical services in Dubai are top-notch but they are expensive. A consultation in a clinic costs anywhere between AED 150-300 per clinic plus medicines can cost another AED 200-500 easily leading to about AED 700 per visit. Medical insurance is required and a good-solution in Dubai, and if it’s not covered by your employer, you’ll need to get a policy yourself and your family members. Expect to pay AED 1,000 – AED 5,000 annually, depending on your coverage.
Medical Insurance: AED 1,000 – AED 5,000 annually
You also have to consider moving costs. If you’re shipping belongings internationally, that can get expensive—anywhere from AED 3,000 to AED 10,000 depending on how much you’re bringing. For domestic moving, you’re looking at AED 1,000 – AED 3,000 depending on the company and distance.
Moving Costs: AED 1,000 – AED 10,000 (depending on local or international)
If you’re buying new furniture and appliances for your place, that’s another AED 10,000 to AED 15,000. If you’re planning to use local second-hand platforms like Dubizzle, you could save a lot here.
Furniture & Appliances: AED 10,000 – AED 15,000 (new)
Lastly, there are entertainment and lifestyle expenses. Dubai is packed with things to do, from weekend brunches to desert safaris. If you budget AED 500 to AED 1,000 for entertainment each month, you’ll have enough for movies, sightseeing, and a few shopping trips. For subscriptions like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV, you’re looking at AED 55 a month, or AED 660 annually.
Entertainment Monthly: AED 500 – AED 1,000
Annual Entertainment: AED 6,000 – AED 12,000
Subscriptions: AED 55 monthly, AED 660 annually
Total Annual Breakdown
So, when we add all this up, let’s see what the annual cost looks like. If you’re living moderately, the total annual cost for a single person living in Dubai, including rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment, will range between AED 100,000 and AED 150,000 depending on your lifestyle and location. Here’s the breakdown:
Rent & Deposits: AED 25,000 – AED 45,000
Utilities (DEWA, Wi-Fi, Phone, Gas): AED 8,000 – AED 13,000
Groceries: AED 6,000 – AED 8,400
Dining Out: AED 12,000 – AED 14,400
Car/Transportation: AED 13,600 – AED 24,400
Furniture/One-Time Costs: AED 10,000 – AED 15,000
Medical Insurance: AED 1,000 – AED 5,000
Entertainment: AED 6,000 – AED 12,000
Subscriptions: AED 660
Miscellaneous: AED 1,000 – AED 10,000 (moving costs, etc.)
So, your total comes out to around AED 100,000 – AED 150,000. This will give you a comfortable cushion for your first year in Dubai.
And there you have it! That’s a detailed breakdown of what it costs to live in Dubai for a single person. If you’re moving here soon, I hope this guide helps you budget properly.
Leave any questions in the comments or message me if you want any additional details.
コメント