Cost of Living in UAE

Of late, UAE has become an ideal destination for international students. It has a multicultural ambience that helps international students to mingle with students belonging to different nationalities. There are many reputed universities situated in the UAE that attract international students. Additionally, what turned out to be a game changer was the provision of long-term residence visa to foreign students pursuing higher education in the UAE. This decision was taken by the UAE Government in January 2021. According to World Bank Data, UAE has spent 3.9% of its GDP on education as of 2020. Apart from providing promising quality education to students, the UAE is one of the safest countries to live. Before we delve into the information about the cost of living in UAE for international students, let us check some of the reasons to study in the UAE.

• Diverse and international community: Students who come to study in the UAE bring new perspectives and they also get a chance to share their ideas with other people. Staying in a community of diverse individuals will help students to develop as a person professionally and personally.
• High quality education: The UAE takes pride in itself as being home to some of the best universities. Universities like United Arab Emirates University, American University of Sharjah, American University in Dubai, Middlesex University, etc are some of the best universities in UAE.
• Explore new cultures: In the UAE, tradition meets modern lifestyle. It has a thriving economy, rich heritage, and open and welcoming nature. All the emirates of UAE have their unique identities, cultures, and attractions.
• Safest country: The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world and the Middle East. It has a low crime rate. 

Read: Student Guide to UAE

Cost of Living in UAE: Various Factors

The living expenses in UAE are dependent on various factors like:

• Accommodation facilities: This is one of the most important factors when you are planning to live in the UAE. According to various reports, the real estate sector in the UAE is booming. As per a report by Khaleej Times, the trust of the high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in the UAE witnessed a major boost following the hosting of the Expo 2020 Dubai event and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This in turn has led to foreign investors pumping billions of dirhams into the real estate of Dubai. As a result, the real estate market is now witnessing a greater preference for completed residential units. The rental rates are on the rise currently. As an international student, you can either choose to live in university-managed accommodation or private accommodation.
• Food: Your food choices will also impact the cost of living in the UAE. The cost of food products is high, especially in the downtown areas of the UAE. However, the Khaleej Times has recently reported in September 2022 that the prices of food items shall witness a significant drop due to a fall in freight rates and strengthening of the Emirati dirham against the pound and rupee, thereby, helping the inflation to come down in the UAE. The report also suggests that the retailers estimate that the cost of food items shall see a drop of at least 20% in the near future.
• Transportation: The cost of living in the UAE will also depend on your preferences for transport. The public transportation system in the UAE is exceptional and you can take buses, taxis, metro, etc to commute daily in the UAE. Dubai is the only emirate that enables the transport card linking most forms of public transport payments like the metro, buses, tram, and water buses. If we talk about transportation in the other emirates, then you can travel by buses and taxis.
• Clothing: The cost of living in the UAE will also depend on your choice of clothing. The clothing cost will depend on your choice of brands and the number of purchases. Because of the prevalence of Islamic culture in the UAE, what you wear is crucial. In Dubai, you can witness modern as well as traditional clothing styles. If we talk about the dress code in UAE, then it is casual. So, pack normal clothes like trousers, jeans, shirts, t-shirts, jackets, etc. However, women should avoid wearing short skirts and must keep their shoulders covered in the UAE.
• Recreation activities: This factor is solely dependent on your lifestyle. Going out to eat in restaurants, gym membership, visiting theatres or cinema, etc are some of the expenses that you will have to manage while living in the UAE.
• Other expenses: Some of the other expenditures that will impact your cost of living in the UAE are water cost, electricity, internet, insurance, medicines, etc.

Also read: Economic Growth in UAE

An Estimate of Cost of Living in UAE

Given below is the average cost of living in UAE for international students. It is important to note that the values given below can change from time to time.

Transportation Cost (On a daily basis)

Miscellaneous Cost (On a monthly basis)

 On-campus Accommodation

Off-campus accommodation

Accommodation options like private flats or rented flats are also available in UAE. The overall cost of renting a flat depends on various factors like apartment type, proximity to the university, etc. Renting a full flat shall cost you around 8,922.07 AED per month i.e. 107,064.84 AED annually. Apart from this, your monthly utility cost will be 1026.93 AED.

Recreation activities cost

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• Life in UAE for International Students
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• Scholarships to study in UAE
• Top Universities & Colleges in UAE
• Part-time work options in UAE