Cost of living
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi: cost of living compared
Compare monthly rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi using cited SetTern cost bands — planning only.
Using cited SetTern catalog midpoints, Abu Dhabi is about 36% cheaper per month overall. The breakdown below compares rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities. These are planning bands, not live listings — confirm with the linked official cost sources.
Abu Dhabi is ~36% cheaper overall
| Monthly | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br, catalog) | $1,800 | $1,400 |
| Groceries (band mid) | $390 | $315 |
| Transport (band mid) | $115 | $115 |
| Dining out (band mid) | $335 | $280 |
| Utilities (band mid) | $275 | $170 |
| Living cost avg (catalog) | $3,800 | $2,800 |
Side-by-side uses cited SetTern catalog midpoints for each city — not live listings. Individual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle; confirm with the linked sources.