Cost of Living in Dubai for Indian Students 2025
Dubai, the gleaming desert jewel of the United Arab Emirates, offers a luxurious lifestyle and vibrant culture. But before you bask in its sun-kissed paradise, understanding cost of living in Dubai is crucial. This guide unveils the cost of living in Dubai UAE including various parameters such as the cost of groceries, travelling, entertainment and more.
If you are someone who wishes to stay and study in Dubai, UAE, then knowing the "Dubai life cost" is important for you. As much as a healthy and luxurious life attracts you, it takes a lot just to survive in Dubai. Yes, you heard it right. Dubai is way more costly and ranked #7 in the costliest cities in the world ranking for 2023. Dubai’s currency, the Dirham (AED) is equal to INR 23.31 as per the AED to INR exchange rate today, i.e. 01 July 2025, which means that the city will naturally be costlier for most Indian students. This article will give you a reflection on the cost of living in Dubai in detail, along with several tips and tricks to lower your monthly expenses while living in this foreign wonderland. We have also mapped the estimated total living cost in Dubai for international students and the list of the top 5 universities in Dubai, along with respective average fees.
Also Read:
- Dubai Life Cost: Cost of Housing for Indians
- Cost of Groceries in Dubai
- Cost of Transportation
- Cost of Dining & Entertainment in Dubai
- Hidden Living Costs in Dubai
- Total Cost of Living in Dubai for Indian Students
- Top 5 Universities in Dubai and Their Average Tuition Fees
- Study in Dubai for Indian Students in 2025
- Cost of Living in Dubai FAQs
Dubai Life Cost: Cost of Housing for Indians
Accommodation costs vary greatly, depending on your desired lifestyle. The rent for the studio apartments differs from a flat and a villa for single and multiple residents. Below is the table listing these costs separately in Dubai Dirhams and Indian Rupees.
|
|
Cost of Accommodations in Dubai |
|
|---|---|---|
| Housing Type |
Average Monthly Rent (AED) |
Average Monthly Rent (INR, converted at an exchange rate of 1 AED = 23.31 INR*) |
| Studio Apartment (Dubai Central Area) |
AED 4,000+ |
INR 93.22 k |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (Outlying Area) |
AED 3,000+ |
INR 69.9 k |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (Central Area) |
AED 11,500+ |
INR 2.68 L |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (Outlying Area) |
AED 8,500+ |
INR 1.98 L |
*The exchange rate information between AED and INR shown in this article is as of July 01, 2025.
Please note that the above figures may change from properties to people and different conditions. This rent is approx. 5-10 times more than the usual rent in Noida, with the latest cost of living index in Dubai being 58.0, and for Noida, it is 22.0 (approximately).
Below are some tips for getting affordable housing in Dubai.
- Share a flat with friends or colleagues to reduce costs.
- Consider outlying areas like Dubai Silicon Oasis or Jumeirah Village Circle for cheaper options, as the city’s central areas are usually multi-fold costlier than the outlying areas.
- Apply early, especially during off-peak seasons and negotiate with landlords.
Also Check: Study in UAE for Indian Students
Cost of Groceries in Dubai
Dubai offers diverse grocery options to suit various budgets. The average weekly costs in AED and INR for basic groceries in different supermarkets of Dubai are given below.
| Market |
Average Weekly Cost for Basic Groceries (AED) |
Average Weekly Cost for Basic Groceries (INR, converted at an exchange rate of 1 AED = 23.31 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Carrefour |
AED 200 |
INR 4661.19 |
| Spinneys |
AED 250 |
INR 5826.49 |
| Waitrose |
AED 400 |
INR 9322.39 |
Below are some tips for saving on groceries in Dubai.
- Cook at home instead of dining out frequently.
- Buy in bulk for non-perishable items.
- Explore local markets for fresh produce and bargain more.
- Utilise the supermarket loyalty programs for discounts and rewards.
Also Read: Study in Dubai: Is It Better than USA or UK?
A person living alone in Dubai may expect to spend around INR 2 L monthly. However, living in a family of 4 members, expats can expect to spend around INR 3 - 3.5 L, if renting a house in the outlying areas of Dubai.
Amity University accepts admissions for international students throughout the year and there is no application deadline. International students whose native language is not English must submit proof of English language test at the university. Amity University Dubai accepts various English language test such as TOEFL, ILETS, and more. The IELTS requirements at Amity University Dubai for international students is 5.0. International students must meet all the admission requirements at the university and submit all the essential documents with admission application.
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The average cost of living in Dubai for a single person, excluding rent can range to somewhere around AED 4500 (INR 1.01L, converted at an exchange rate of 1 AED = 22.63 INR). On including rent with the average monthly life expenses in Dubai, the total monthly expenditure will come out to be somewhere around INR 2 L.