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Abu Dhabi · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · UAE · Asia

Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi, UAE
2026 Expat Guide

below NYC cost levels 6% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

For expats relocating to Abu Dhabi, UAE, the cost of living index of 82.3 (on par with NYC) translates to roughly ~$628/month for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center.

With a population of 1.8 million, Abu Dhabi is a major city in UAE.

Monthly Budget: $745–$1,312/month  ·  CoL Index: 82.3 (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇦🇪 UAE Pop. 1.8M Capital Updated April 2026
CoL Index
82.3
NYC = 100
Rent Index
90.5
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$628
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
N/A
net/month
Cheap Meal
$7
restaurant
Groceries
$283
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Abu Dhabi 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
82.3
Rent Index
90.5
Cheap Meal USD
$7
Monthly Groceries
$283
Monthly Transport
$75
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL Index82.3NYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent Index90.5Avg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$628Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$408Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$7Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$283Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$75Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Abu Dhabi's cost of living index of 82.3 places it 18% below New York City's baseline, and 75% above the global average (approx. index 47).

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
N/A

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · UAE

Avg net salary
N/A
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$628
Internet speed
102 Mbps
Safety index
8.1
HDI
0.937
Life expectancy
80.4 yrs
Purchasing power
78.4

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$628Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$408Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$628UAE (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$7Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$193-course
Monthly groceries (single)$283Single person estimate
Country food basketN/AUAE (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$75Public transport avg.

City Insight

Abu Dhabi's CoL Index of 82.3 places it close to the NYC baseline — a familiar cost environment for North American and Western European professionals.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for UAE
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in UAE for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
Read guide →

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Abu Dhabi · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$745Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$1,3121-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$2,230Private apt, regular travel

Monthly Budget Calculator

Estimate your personal monthly spend in Abu Dhabi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abu Dhabi cost of living

Is Abu Dhabi cheap to live in?
Abu Dhabi has a CoL Index of 82.3, placing it in line with mid-tier Western cities. It is neither cheap nor expensive by global standards. Budget $988–$1,481/month for a comfortable expat lifestyle.
What is the average rent in Abu Dhabi?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Abu Dhabi costs approximately $628/month, while outside the city centre it averages $408/month. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and property quality.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Abu Dhabi?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Abu Dhabi requires approximately $1,312/month, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure. On a tight budget (shared housing, cooking at home), $745/month is feasible. A Western expat lifestyle with private accommodation costs $2,230+/month.
Is Abu Dhabi, the capital, more expensive than other cities in UAE?
As the capital of UAE, Abu Dhabi tends to command a premium over smaller regional cities. Its CoL Index of 82.3 (NYC=100) reflects the concentration of government, business, and international institutions that typically drive up housing and service costs. Secondary cities in UAE are often 20–40% cheaper for rent.
What is the average salary in Abu Dhabi?
Salary data for Abu Dhabi is not yet available in our dataset. For national averages, see the UAE country profile. International job boards and local recruiters are the best source for current benchmarks.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.