Cost Of Living in Al Ain 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Al Ain

Whether you're living in Al Ain or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

14,000 AED

per month
$3,900

1,100 AED   $300
$39,000   140,000 AED

Single

9,800 AED

per month
$2,700

3,300 AED   $890
$18,000   65,000 AED

Couple

16,000 AED

per month
$4,400

5,400 AED   $1,500
$24,000   87,000 AED

Family

22,000 AED

per month
$5,900

7,600 AED   $2,100
$33,000   120,000 AED

Student

6,900 AED

per month
$1,900

2,700 AED   $750
$3,400   12,000 AED
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Al Ain is 9,800 AED. Expenses can range from 3,300 AED at the minimum level to 65,000 AED at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Al Ain is 16,000 AED. Expenditure can range from 5,400 AED to 87,000 AED per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Al Ain is 22,000 AED per month. Families spend anywhere from 7,600 AED to 120,000 AED.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Al Ain is 6,900 AED. Students spend from 2,700 AED to 12,000 AED per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Al Ain


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
1.8 AED 2 AED 2.3 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.48 $0.55 $0.63
Fast food combo meal
15 AED 30 AED 50 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $8.2 $14
Restaurant meal for one
51 AED 76 AED 150 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $21 $41
Fine dining meal for one
100 AED 150 AED 610 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$27 $41 $160
Soda or Soft Drink
2.2 AED 2.5 AED 3 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.59 $0.68 $0.82
Cappuccino or latte
13 AED 20 AED 30 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.4 $5.5 $8.2

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
10 AED 12 AED 15 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.7 $3.3 $4.1
Loaf of bread
1.8 AED 2.1 AED 2.4 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.49 $0.56 $0.65
12 eggs
7.5 AED 10 AED 15 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.1 $2.7 $4.1
Fresh whole chicken
17 AED 22 AED 31 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.7 $6 $8.6
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
20 AED 30 AED 60 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.5 $8.2 $16
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
8.1 AED 11 AED 16 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.2 $3 $4.3
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
3 AED 4 AED 7.5 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.82 $1.1 $2.1
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
5.4 AED 7 AED 12 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $1.9 $3.2

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
13 AED 15 AED 30 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.4 $4.1 $8.2
Average car full tank
75 AED 100 AED 200 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $27 $55
Average car 1-day rental
76 AED 100 AED 150 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $28 $41
Average car price
38,000 AED 75,000 AED 100,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10,000 $21,000 $27,000
Bus ticket one way
2.5 AED 3.8 AED 7.6 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.69 $1 $2.1
Car Service
100 AED 150 AED 300 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28 $41 $83

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
200 AED 590 AED 3,900 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $160 $1,100
Utility Bill - Couple
270 AED 820 AED 4,400 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74 $220 $1,200
Utility Bill - Family
230 AED 650 AED 3,600 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $180 $980
Internet and cable
75 AED 150 AED 200 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $41 $55
Mobile phone charges
60 AED 100 AED 300 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $27 $82

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
38 AED 50 AED 75 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $14 $21
One month gym membership
120 AED 150 AED 300 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $41 $83

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
90 AED 130 AED 190 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $35 $52
Woman dress
85 AED 120 AED 380 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $32 $100
Woman shoes
80 AED 110 AED 250 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $30 $69
Men's shoes
69 AED 85 AED 170 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $23 $46
Men suit
76 AED 95 AED 510 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $26 $140
Regular t-shirt
38 AED 51 AED 150 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $14 $41

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
1,300 AED 1,900 AED 5,100 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$350 $520 $1,400
1-bedroom apartment
1,900 AED 3,000 AED 7,600 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $830 $2,100
2-bedroom apartment
2,500 AED 3,800 AED 10,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$690 $1,000 $2,800

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
250,000 AED 380,000 AED 760,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$69,000 $100,000 $210,000
1-bedroom apartment
300,000 AED 510,000 AED 1.9M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$83,000 $140,000 $520,000
2-bedroom apartment
510,000 AED 1.5M AED 3M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $410,000 $830,000

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
1,500 AED 1,900 AED 2,500 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $510 $680
Double Bed
1,000 AED 1,500 AED 1,900 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $410 $510
Single Bed
890 AED 1,200 AED 1,500 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$240 $320 $410
Living Room
1,700 AED 2,200 AED 7,500 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$460 $590 $2,100
Dining Table
750 AED 1,000 AED 1,900 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210 $270 $510
Sofa or Couch
1,000 AED 1,400 AED 3,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $370 $820

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
1,000 AED 1,500 AED 3,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $410 $820
Fridge or Freezer
890 AED 1,400 AED 1,900 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$240 $370 $510
Washing Machine
1,200 AED 1,700 AED 3,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$320 $460 $820
Stove or Cooker
1,100 AED 1,400 AED 1,900 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$290 $370 $510
Mobile Phone
1,300 AED 1,500 AED 2,200 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$340 $410 $590
Laptop or Computer
1,400 AED 1,700 AED 3,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $460 $820

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Al Ain

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.


Spending to Income Ratio

84%

76% to 94%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%6%
50% - 60%11%
60% - 70%18%
70% - 80%26%
80% - 90%16%
90% - 100%9%
100% - 110%5%
110% - 120%3%
120% - 130%2%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%1%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Al Ain is 84% This means that on average, people spend around 84% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 18% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio
69%
85%

Couple
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio
72%
90%

Family
89%
Spending-Income-Ratio
80%
99%

How do people spend their money in Al Ain?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure26%

26% of total expenses on average (15% to 34%)

LOW$89   330 AED
AVERAGE$1,200   4,200 AED
HIGH$12,000   42,000 AED
Per Month

People living in Al Ain typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 4,200 AED with expenditure ranging from 330 AED to 42,000 AED. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$15   54 AED
AVERAGE$190   710 AED
HIGH$1,900   7,100 AED
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Al Ain ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 710 AED with 54 AED and 7,100 AED being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$30   110 AED
AVERAGE$390   1,400 AED
HIGH$3,900   14,000 AED
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 110 AED to 14,000 AED on commuting with 1,400 AED being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

Food and Groceries Cost27%

27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)

LOW$74   270 AED
AVERAGE$960   3,500 AED
HIGH$9,600   35,000 AED
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Al Ain is 3,500 AED. The cost of groceries can range between 270 AED to 35,000 AED. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services9%

9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$21   76 AED
AVERAGE$270   990 AED
HIGH$2,700   9,900 AED
Per Month

People in Al Ain allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 76 AED to 9,900 AED with 990 AED being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$12   44 AED
AVERAGE$150   570 AED
HIGH$1,500   5,700 AED
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 44 AED to 5,700 AED with 570 AED being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.

Education and Schooling6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$18   65 AED
AVERAGE$230   850 AED
HIGH$2,300   8,500 AED
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 850 AED per month with 65 AED being the minimum spent amount and 8,500 AED being the maximum.

Other Expenses12%

12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$39   140 AED
AVERAGE$500   1,800 AED
HIGH$5,000   18,000 AED
Per Month

How much money can you save in Al Ain every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Al Ain manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
69%
Not Saving
31%

Almost 69% of the surveyed people in Al Ain said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 31% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Al Ain

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles72%28%
Couples67%33%
Families62%38%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Saving to Income Ratio

10% 17% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

430 AED
$120
5,600 AED
$1,500
56,000 AED
$15,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 10% to 31% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 17% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 5,600 AED on average with savings ranging from 430 AED to 56,000 AED.

72% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 67% of couples said the same. 62% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Al Ain?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

13% 21% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,300 AED
$350
3,900 AED
$1,100
26,000 AED
$7,100
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%29%
10% - 20%23%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%16%
40% - 50%12%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 13% to 33% of their monthly income to savings, with 21% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 3,900 AED with 1,300 AED and 26,000 AED being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 19% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

2,200 AED
$590
6,500 AED
$1,800
35,000 AED
$9,500
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%25%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%11%
40% - 50%9%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 11% to 32% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 6,500 AED with 2,200 AED and 35,000 AED being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

9.1% 16% of income 28%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

3,000 AED
$830
8,700 AED
$2,400
48,000 AED
$13,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Al Ain can save anywhere between 9.1% to 28% of their monthly income, with 16% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 8,700 AED with 3,000 AED and 48,000 AED being the minimum and maximum respectively.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Affordable living in Al Ain

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Al Ain?


Yes
77%
No
23%

Around 77% of surveyed residents think that living in Al Ain is affordable with proper budgeting while 23% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Al Ain

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options63%

Few low-cost options37%


Based on the survey, 63% of the people living in Al Ain have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Al Ain whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes76%

No24%


Based on the survey, 24% of the people living in Al Ain said that they don't have an emergency fund while 76% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in United Arab Emirates

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy71%


We asked residents of United Arab Emirates whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 29% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 71% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of United Arab Emirates have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 23% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 77% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance23%

Easily manages finances77%

Financial goals of people in Al Ain

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Al Ain, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction34%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle10%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 34% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in Al Ain

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Al Ain. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later17%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Al Ain

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Al Ain

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Al Ain and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in United Arab Emirates is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Al Ain:
AgeAmount
2540,000 AED
3079,000 AED
35140,000 AED
40200,000 AED
45300,000 AED
50420,000 AED
55490,000 AED
60610,000 AED
65730,000 AED

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Al Ain about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions13%
Savings22%
Investments13%
Social Security8%
Annuities8%
Part-time Job11%
Real Estate17%
Dividends and Interest8%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Al Ain

2,400 AED
$640
7,100 AED
$1,900
47,000 AED
$13,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Al Ain


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
24%
Debt Free
76%

According to the survey, 24% of the people in Al Ain have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Al Ain

Debt to income ratio

28%

20% to 39%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of the people's monthly income in Al Ain goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%12%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%18%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Al Ain pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Al Ain

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan21%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan37%

12% of debtors in Al Ain confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 21% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Al Ain.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Al Ain

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Al Ain how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never54%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Al Ain

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Al Ain

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
1,300 AED 1,900 AED 5,100 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$350 $520 $1,400
1-bedroom apartment
1,900 AED 3,000 AED 7,600 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $830 $2,100
2-bedroom apartment
2,500 AED 3,800 AED 10,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$690 $1,000 $2,800
3-bedroom apartment
3,000 AED 5,100 AED 14,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$830 $1,400 $3,800
Furnished apartment
6,100 AED 15,000 AED 30,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,700 $4,100 $8,300
Townhouse
5,100 AED 7,600 AED 22,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,400 $2,100 $5,900
House
6,100 AED 15,000 AED 30,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,700 $4,100 $8,300
Villa
7,600 AED 19,000 AED 30,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,100 $5,200 $8,300

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Al Ain ranges between 1,300 AED and 5,100 AED, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,900 AED to 7,600 AED. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 2,500 AED and 10,000 AED per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,000 AED to 14,000 AED. The average rent of a townhouse in Al Ain is around 7,600 AED while house rental costs can be as high as 15,000 AED per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 7,600 AED to 30,000 AED per month.



Apartment and house prices in Al Ain

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
250,000 AED 380,000 AED 760,000 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$69,000 $100,000 $210,000
1-bedroom apartment
300,000 AED 510,000 AED 1.9M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$83,000 $140,000 $520,000
2-bedroom apartment
510,000 AED 1.5M AED 3M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $410,000 $830,000
3-bedroom apartment
1.7M AED 2.5M AED 7.6M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$460,000 $690,000 $2.1M
Townhouse
2.2M AED 5.1M AED 19M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$590,000 $1.4M $5.2M
House
2.5M AED 15M AED 22M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$690,000 $4.1M $5.9M
Villa
3M AED 17M AED 25M AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$830,000 $4.6M $6.9M

The average price of a studio apartment in Al Ain can range from 250,000 AED to 760,000 AED depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 300,000 AED to 1.9M AED. A villa can cost you 17M AED on average with prices ranging from 3M AED to 25M AED.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Al Ain will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


41 x118 monthly income 213
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Al Ain can be x118 to x213 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x118 multiples of the average monthly salary in Al Ain.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


22% 33% of income 43%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Al Ain is around 33%. This means that people pay 33% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 43% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
30%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.2%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


22 AED 280 AED 2,800 AED
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Al Ain

Housing32%

32% of total expenses on average (20% to 44%)

LOW$320   1,200 AED
AVERAGE$960   3,500 AED
HIGH$6,400   24,000 AED
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)

LOW$53   200 AED
AVERAGE$160   590 AED
HIGH$1,100   3,900 AED
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$71   260 AED
AVERAGE$210   780 AED
HIGH$1,400   5,200 AED
Per Month

Food and Groceries18%

18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW$140   520 AED
AVERAGE$430   1,600 AED
HIGH$2,800   10,000 AED
Per Month

Healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)

LOW$80   290 AED
AVERAGE$240   880 AED
HIGH$1,600   5,900 AED
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW$44   160 AED
AVERAGE$130   490 AED
HIGH$890   3,300 AED
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$18   65 AED
AVERAGE$53   200 AED
HIGH$360   1,300 AED
Per Month

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$160   590 AED
AVERAGE$480   1,800 AED
HIGH$3,200   12,000 AED
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Al Ain

Housing29%

29% of total expenses on average (22% to 39%)

LOW$490   1,800 AED
AVERAGE$1,500   5,400 AED
HIGH$7,800   29,000 AED
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW$74   270 AED
AVERAGE$220   820 AED
HIGH$1,200   4,400 AED
Per Month

Transport, Fuel10%

10% of total expenses on average (4% to 15%)

LOW$180   650 AED
AVERAGE$530   2,000 AED
HIGH$2,800   10,000 AED
Per Month

Food and Groceries16%

16% of total expenses on average (11% to 21%)

LOW$210   760 AED
AVERAGE$620   2,300 AED
HIGH$3,300   12,000 AED
Per Month

Healthcare13%

13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)

LOW$160   600 AED
AVERAGE$490   1,800 AED
HIGH$2,600   9,600 AED
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$89   330 AED
AVERAGE$270   980 AED
HIGH$1,400   5,200 AED
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$30   110 AED
AVERAGE$89   330 AED
HIGH$470   1,700 AED
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW$250   930 AED
AVERAGE$760   2,800 AED
HIGH$4,000   15,000 AED
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Al Ain

Housing28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW$660   2,400 AED
AVERAGE$1,900   7,000 AED
HIGH$10,000   38,000 AED
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$170   610 AED
AVERAGE$470   1,700 AED
HIGH$2,600   9,600 AED
Per Month

Food and Groceries20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$370   1,400 AED
AVERAGE$1,100   3,900 AED
HIGH$5,900   22,000 AED
Per Month

Healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$170   610 AED
AVERAGE$470   1,700 AED
HIGH$2,600   9,600 AED
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$100   380 AED
AVERAGE$300   1,100 AED
HIGH$1,600   6,000 AED
Per Month

Education14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$290   1,100 AED
AVERAGE$830   3,000 AED
HIGH$4,600   17,000 AED
Per Month

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$250   910 AED
AVERAGE$710   2,600 AED
HIGH$3,900   14,000 AED
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in Al Ain

Housing20%

20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)

LOW$180   660 AED
AVERAGE$450   1,600 AED
HIGH$810   3,000 AED
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)

LOW$30   110 AED
AVERAGE$75   270 AED
HIGH$130   490 AED
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$52   190 AED
AVERAGE$130   480 AED
HIGH$240   860 AED
Per Month

Food and Groceries22%

22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)

LOW$150   550 AED
AVERAGE$370   1,400 AED
HIGH$670   2,500 AED
Per Month

Healthcare8%

8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$45   160 AED
AVERAGE$110   410 AED
HIGH$200   740 AED
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$37   140 AED
AVERAGE$93   340 AED
HIGH$170   620 AED
Per Month

Education19%

19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$140   520 AED
AVERAGE$350   1,300 AED
HIGH$640   2,300 AED
Per Month

Other Expenses17%

17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW$110   410 AED
AVERAGE$280   1,000 AED
HIGH$500   1,800 AED
Per Month
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