United Arab Emiratesš¦šŖ
At a Glance
How United Arab Emirates compares across key indices
Cost of Living
70 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
55/100
Healthcare
76/100
Quality of Life
120/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in United Arab Emirates
Cost of Living
70
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
52
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
70
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
73
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in United Arab Emirates - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
55/100
Crime Index
55/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates has 63 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,382 in Al Muteena to $1,829 in Abu Dhabi. Musaffah leads on safety, scoring 55/100. Zayed City ranks highest for quality of life at 121/200.
Al Muteena
$1,382/mo
Musaffah
55/100
Zayed City
121/200
Abu Dhabi
89/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | $1,829 | 49/100 | 117/200 | 89/100 | 82 |
| Dubai | $1,700 | 50/100 | 117/200 | 86/100 | 82 |
| Sharjah | $1,644 | 51/100 | 118/200 | 84/100 | 79 |
| Al Ain City | $1,589 | 53/100 | 119/200 | 81/100 | 76 |
| Ajman | $1,549 | 54/100 | 120/200 | 80/100 | 74 |
| Dayrah | $1,534 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 79/100 | 73 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | $1,525 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 79/100 | 72 |
| Musaffah | $1,499 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 77/100 | 71 |
| Jebel Ali | $1,488 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 77/100 | 70 |
| Business Bay | $1,480 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 77/100 | 70 |
| Dubai Investments Park | $1,468 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 76/100 | 69 |
| Dubai Marina | $1,446 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 75/100 | 68 |
| International City | $1,446 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 75/100 | 68 |
| Fujairah | $1,445 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 75/100 | 68 |
| Al Majaz | $1,443 | 55/100 | 120/200 | 75/100 | 68 |
| WarÄ«sÄn | $1,439 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 75/100 | 68 |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | $1,425 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Ar Rumaylah | $1,422 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Khalifah A City | $1,422 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Mohammed Bin Zayed City | $1,420 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Hawr al āAnz | $1,420 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Reef Al Fujairah City | $1,419 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Bani Yas City | $1,417 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 67 |
| Dubai Festival City | $1,414 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 66 |
| Al Karama | $1,413 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 74/100 | 66 |
| Zayed City | $1,399 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 73/100 | 66 |
| Al Shamkhah City | $1,397 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 73/100 | 65 |
| Mirdif | $1,396 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 73/100 | 65 |
| Al Warqaa | $1,394 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 73/100 | 65 |
| Umm Al Quwain City | $1,394 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 73/100 | 65 |
| Al Sajaah | $1,386 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| Lahbab | $1,386 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| NÄyf | $1,386 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| Å¢arÄ«f KalbÄ | $1,383 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| Al Muteena | $1,382 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| Al Qusais 1 | $1,382 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| Mankhūl | $1,382 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| As Saţwah | $1,382 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| Khawr FakkÄn | $1,382 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
| JumayrÄ | $1,382 | 55/100 | 121/200 | 72/100 | 65 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for United Arab Emirates
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Environment
PollutedAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in United Arab Emirates
Pollution Index
73/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
36.3ug/m3
Unhealthy for sensitive
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0ā100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in United Arab Emirates, answered with data
What is the cost of living in United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates has a cost of living index of 70 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,439 in WarÄ«sÄn and reach $1,829 in Abu Dhabi.
What is the cheapest city in United Arab Emirates for expats?
WarÄ«sÄn is the most affordable city in United Arab Emirates in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $1,439 for a single person including rent. Al Majaz is the next most affordable at $1,443/mo.
Is United Arab Emirates safe for expats?
United Arab Emirates has a safety index of 55/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Musaffah scores highest on safety at 55/100.
What is the best city in United Arab Emirates for expats and digital nomads?
WarÄ«sÄn ranks highest for quality of life in United Arab Emirates, scoring 121/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,439/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates scores 76/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it excellent by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is United Arab Emirates cheaper than the United States?
Yes. United Arab Emirates's cost of living is roughly 30% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 48% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates has a pollution index of 73/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for United Arab Emirates
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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