Cost of Living Index 2026
Comprehensive comparison of living costs across all UAE emirates. Indexed to Dubai (100) with detailed breakdowns by expense category and family profile.
Cost of Living Index by Emirate
Dubai Expense Breakdown (Family of 4)
Monthly Costs by Family Profile
| Profile | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Sharjah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Professional | AED 12,500 | AED 11,500 | AED 8,500 |
| Couple (No Kids) | AED 18,000 | AED 16,500 | AED 12,000 |
| Family of 3 | AED 28,000 | AED 25,000 | AED 18,000 |
| Family of 4 | AED 35,000 | AED 32,000 | AED 23,000 |
| Family of 5+ | AED 45,000 | AED 40,000 | AED 28,000 |
Methodology
Index Calculation
The UAE Cost of Living Index is calculated using a weighted basket of expenses common to UAE residents. Dubai is set as the baseline (100) with other emirates indexed relative to Dubai costs.
Data Sources
- Yalla Calculators: Calculator usage data and cost analysis
- Government Data: DEWA, RTA, DLD official rates
- Consumer Surveys: 1,200+ verified responses
- Market Research: Quarterly price tracking
Media Inquiries
For custom analysis, expert commentary, or exclusive data:
media@yallacalculators.onlineCalculate Your Personal Budget
Use our interactive calculators to plan your UAE living costs
Who Stands Behind This Calculator
Founder
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
Why Trust This Calculator?
UAE Cost of Living Index 2026 is built for UAE residents and uses local regulations and fee schedules. Our calculators use official UAE data sources, current regulations, and a methodology checked against those sources. We update fee schedules and formulas when regulators publish changes, and we clearly cite our sources so you can verify results.
All calculations are checked against the official UAE sources cited on each page.