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Compare the cost of living across Abu Dhabi's most popular neighborhoods side-by-side.
| Neighborhood | Rent (2BR) | ADDC Bill | To Downtown | Schools | Cost Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Reem Island | AED 110,000 | AED 900 | 15 min | 6 | $$$$ |
| Khalifa City | AED 70,000 | AED 800 | 25 min | 10 | $$$ |
| Al Raha Beach | AED 120,000 | AED 950 | 20 min | 4 | $$$$ |
| Mohammed Bin Zayed City | AED 55,000 | AED 700 | 30 min | 8 | $$ |
| Corniche | AED 130,000 | AED 1,000 | 0 min | 3 | $$$$$ |
| Rent (2BR) | AED 9,167 |
| ADDC + Utilities | AED 900 |
| Parking | Free |
| Est. Monthly Total | AED 17,000 |
Best for: Young professionals, Couples, Those working on island
| Rent (2BR) | AED 5,833 |
| ADDC + Utilities | AED 800 |
| Parking | Free |
| Est. Monthly Total | AED 12,500 |
Best for: Families with children, Those working near airport, Budget-conscious
| Rent (2BR) | AED 10,000 |
| ADDC + Utilities | AED 950 |
| Parking | Free |
| Est. Monthly Total | AED 18,500 |
Best for: Beach lovers, Those working on Yas Island, Entertainment seekers
| Rent (2BR) | AED 4,583 |
| ADDC + Utilities | AED 700 |
| Parking | Free |
| Est. Monthly Total | AED 10,000 |
Best for: Budget-conscious families, New expats, Those seeking maximum savings
| Rent (2BR) | AED 10,833 |
| ADDC + Utilities | AED 1,000 |
| Parking | AED 300 |
| Est. Monthly Total | AED 22,000 |
Best for: Executives, Those wanting central location, Luxury seekers
Use our calculators to run your own numbers
Founder & CEO
Varun founded Yalla Calculators to help UAE residents make informed financial decisions. Based in the UAE since 2018, he has firsthand experience with property purchases, DLD fees, mortgage rules, and cost-of-living planning. His background in software and digital business (13+ years) drives the accuracy and regulatory alignment of our property and mortgage tools. Varun is not affiliated with other professionals who share the same name; he operates from Dubai/Sharjah and maintains editorial independence across all calculators.
Focus: UAE Property, Cost of Living, Financial Planning, Mortgage & DLD
Abu Dhabi Neighborhoods Cost Comparison is built for UAE residents and uses local regulations and fee schedules. Our calculators use official UAE data sources, current regulations, and methodology that is reviewed by UAE-based experts. We update fee schedules and formulas when regulators publish changes, and we clearly cite our sources so you can verify results.
All calculations reviewed by UAE-based financial experts.
Yalla Calculators provides UAE-specific financial tools for gratuity, mortgages, property fees, rent vs buy, school fees, visas, and cost of living. Our formulas follow official UAE sources: UAE Labor Law (gratuity, leave), Dubai Land Department and RERA (property, DLD 4% transfer fee), UAE Central Bank (DBR, LTV), KHDA (school fees), and published visa and healthcare data. We update figures when regulations or market rates change. Calculator results are estimates only; actual entitlements, fees, and approvals depend on your specific situation, employer, bank, or authority.
For gratuity, any employee who completes at least one year of continuous service earns gratuity on basic salary for the years served — 21 days’ pay per year for the first five years and 30 days per year thereafter. Under Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 (effective 2 February 2022) the old sliding scale that cut gratuity for resignation before five years was abolished, so resigning no longer reduces your entitlement for completed years. For mortgages, DBR caps and LTV limits vary by buyer type (UAE national, GCC, expat) and property value. Property fees include DLD registration, trustee fees, agent commission, and often mortgage registration. Rent vs buy outcomes depend on holding period, appreciation, and opportunity cost. School fee projections use KHDA fee frameworks and typical annual increases; actual costs vary by school and grade.
Gratuity: If you resign after 3 years with AED 15,000 basic (unlimited contract), you receive 21 days’ basic per year for the first 5 years. Three years × (21/365) × (15,000 × 12) ≈ AED 31,068. After 5 years, the rate becomes 30 days per year. Mortgage: At 50% DBR, a AED 25,000 monthly income with AED 3,000 existing commitments allows roughly AED 9,500 per month for a mortgage, depending on rates and tenure. Property fees: On a AED 2M purchase, 4% DLD transfer fee is AED 80,000; add trustee, agent, and optional mortgage registration per our property-fees calculator.
Are calculator results legally binding? No. They are illustrative. Gratuity, mortgage eligibility, and visa decisions depend on your contract, bank, or authority. Always confirm with your employer, lender, or official sources.
How often do you update data? We review UAE labor, property, mortgage, and school-fee data periodically and after notable regulatory changes. Check our methodology and data-updates pages for more detail.
Do you store my inputs? Calculator inputs are processed in your browser. We do not store your salary, property value, or other personal figures. See our privacy policy and cookie policy for details on analytics and cookies.
Which Emirates are covered? Default examples often use Dubai (DLD, RERA, KHDA). Several tools support other Emirates where data is available. We indicate coverage in each calculator.
Can I use these for official applications? Our tools are for planning and comparison only. Use official forms, bank offers, and government portals for applications and compliance.
Varun Punjabi
CEO & Founder, Yalla Calculators. Over 13 years of professional experience, including a decade in the domain and internet industry. Specializes in UAE property market analysis, mortgage calculations, DLD and RERA regulations, and UAE labor and school-fee frameworks. Built Yalla Calculators after navigating Dubai’s property and education landscape firsthand.
LinkedInFor methodology, data sources, and disclaimers, see our Methodology, Data Updates, and Terms of Use. Contact: info@yallacalculators.online.