Cost Of Living in Sharjah 2025
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Sharjah
Whether you're living in Sharjah 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
Currency: AED
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single
Currency: AED
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple
Currency: AED
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family
Currency: AED
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student
Currency: AED
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Sharjah
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Sharjah
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 170 AED | 870 AED | 8,700 AED |
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Sharjah ranges between 89 AED and 6,900 AED with average being 620 AED, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 680 AED with 92 AED and 7,600 AED being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 870 AED. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 82 AED to 220 AED with 160 AED being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 100 AED but can range between 60 AED and 300 AED depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Sharjah is around 5.3%. This means that people pay 5.3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.1% to 9.6% depending on salary and location.
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.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Sharjah
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 39,000 AED | 79,000 AED | 100,000 AED |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
Utility Bill - Couple
Utility Bill - Family
| 170 AED | 870 AED | 8,700 AED |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 1,400 AED | 2,100 AED | 5,700 AED |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2,100 AED | 3,400 AED | 8,600 AED |
2-bedroom apartment
| 2,900 AED | 4,300 AED | 12,000 AED |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 290,000 AED | 430,000 AED | 870,000 AED |
| $79,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 350,000 AED | 580,000 AED | 2.2M AED |
| $95,000 | $160,000 | $600,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 570,000 AED | 1.7M AED | 3.4M AED |
| $150,000 | $460,000 | $920,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 1,600 AED | 2,000 AED | 2,700 AED |
Double Bed
| 1,100 AED | 1,600 AED | 2,000 AED |
Single Bed
| 960 AED | 1,300 AED | 1,600 AED |
Living Room
| 1,800 AED | 2,300 AED | 8,200 AED |
Dining Table
| 800 AED | 1,100 AED | 2,000 AED |
Sofa or Couch
| 1,100 AED | 1,500 AED | 3,200 AED |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1,100 AED | 1,600 AED | 3,200 AED |
Fridge or Freezer
| 960 AED | 1,500 AED | 2,000 AED |
Washing Machine
| 1,200 AED | 1,800 AED | 3,200 AED |
Stove or Cooker
| 1,100 AED | 1,500 AED | 2,000 AED |
Mobile Phone
| 1,300 AED | 1,600 AED | 2,300 AED |
Laptop or Computer
| 1,500 AED | 1,800 AED | 3,300 AED |
Low-cost alternatives in Sharjah
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 options62%
Few low-cost options38%
Based on the survey, 62% of the people living in Sharjah have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 38% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
How do people spend their money in Sharjah?
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 Expenditure27%
27% of total expenses on average (16% to 35%)
| LOW | $99 360 AED |
| AVERAGE | $990 3,600 AED |
| HIGH | $15,000 55,000 AED |
| Per Month |
People living in Sharjah typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 3,600 AED with expenditure ranging from 360 AED to 55,000 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, Water, Internet, Mobile6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $16 58 AED |
| AVERAGE | $160 580 AED |
| HIGH | $2,400 8,700 AED |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Sharjah ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 580 AED with 58 AED and 8,700 AED being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute9%
9% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)
| LOW | $32 120 AED |
| AVERAGE | $320 1,200 AED |
| HIGH | $4,900 18,000 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 120 AED to 18,000 AED on commuting with 1,200 AED being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 9% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 13%.
Food and Groceries Cost26%
26% of total expenses on average (18% to 32%)
| LOW | $80 290 AED |
| AVERAGE | $800 2,900 AED |
| HIGH | $12,000 44,000 AED |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Sharjah is 2,900 AED. The cost of groceries can range between 290 AED to 44,000 AED. People spend on average about 26% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 32% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services8%
8% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $21 79 AED |
| AVERAGE | $210 790 AED |
| HIGH | $3,200 12,000 AED |
| Per Month |
People in Sharjah allocate 3% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 79 AED to 12,000 AED with 790 AED being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $13 47 AED |
| AVERAGE | $130 470 AED |
| HIGH | $1,900 7,100 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 47 AED to 7,100 AED with 470 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 | $19 71 AED |
| AVERAGE | $190 710 AED |
| HIGH | $2,900 11,000 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 710 AED per month with 71 AED being the minimum spent amount and 11,000 AED being the maximum.
Other Expenses12%
12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $43 160 AED |
| AVERAGE | $430 1,600 AED |
| HIGH | $6,400 23,000 AED |
| Per Month |
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Sharjah is 11,000 AED. Expenses can range from 1,600 AED at the minimum level to 120,000 AED at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Sharjah is 16,000 AED. Expenditure can range from 2,500 AED to 150,000 AED per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Sharjah is 19,000 AED per month. Families spend anywhere from 3,700 AED to 190,000 AED.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Sharjah is 7,900 AED. Students spend from 1,200 AED to 87,000 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.
How much money can you save in Sharjah 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 Sharjah manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 71% of the surveyed people in Sharjah said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 29% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Sharjah
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 74% | 26% |
| Couples | 70% | 30% |
| Families | 64% | 36% |
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
Average Monthly Saved Amount
500 AED
$140 | 5,000 AED
$1,400 | 75,000 AED
$20,000 |
For most people, 11% to 32% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 18% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 5,000 AED on average with savings ranging from 500 AED to 75,000 AED.
74% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 70% of couples said the same. 64% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Sharjah?
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
Average Monthly Saved Amount
490 AED
$130 | 4,400 AED
$1,200 | 49,000 AED
$13,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 28% |
| 10% - 20% | 22% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 17% |
| 40% - 50% | 13% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 14% to 34% of their monthly income to savings, with 22% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 4,400 AED with 490 AED and 49,000 AED being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
990 AED
$270 | 6,400 AED
$1,700 | 59,000 AED
$16,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 32% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 12% |
| 40% - 50% | 10% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 12% to 33% of their monthly income, with 21% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 6,400 AED with 990 AED and 59,000 AED being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,500 AED
$410 | 7,500 AED
$2,000 | 75,000 AED
$20,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 35% |
| 10% - 20% | 27% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 9% |
| 40% - 50% | 7% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Sharjah can save anywhere between 9.4% to 29% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 7,500 AED with 1,500 AED and 75,000 AED being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Saving Challenges in Sharjah
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Sharjah. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 7% |
| High Expenses | 10% |
| Debt and Loans | 19% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 10% |
| Impulsive Spending | 9% |
| Financial Emergencies | 6% |
| Living the moment | 7% |
| Will do it later | 16% |
| Inflation | 10% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 3% |
Around 7% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 10% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 19% 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. 9% 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. 16% 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. 10% 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 social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Affordable living in Sharjah
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Sharjah?
Around 76% of surveyed residents think that living in Sharjah is affordable with proper budgeting while 24% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Typical saving choices for people in Sharjah
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 10% |
| Gold | 10% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 12% |
| Cash Savings | 15% |
| Real Estate | 10% |
| Investment | 6% |
| Stocks | 6% |
| Bonds | 7% |
| Mutual Funds | 3% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
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 whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes75%
No25%
Based on the survey, 25% of the people living in Sharjah said that they don't have an emergency fund while 75% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
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 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 have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked 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 Sharjah
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Sharjah, 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 Fund | 6% |
| Debt Reduction | 32% |
| Retirement Savings | 7% |
| Education Funding | 9% |
| Homeownership | 16% |
| Investing | 9% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 11% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 8% |
| Financial Independence | 9% |
Around 6% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 32% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 7% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 9% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 16% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 8% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Sharjah
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Sharjah and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in 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:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Sharjah:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 31,000 AED |
| 30 | 64,000 AED |
| 35 | 110,000 AED |
| 40 | 160,000 AED |
| 45 | 240,000 AED |
| 50 | 330,000 AED |
| 55 | 400,000 AED |
| 60 | 500,000 AED |
| 65 | 580,000 AED |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 14% |
| Savings | 21% |
| Investments | 14% |
| Social Security | 9% |
| Annuities | 9% |
| Part-time Job | 9% |
| Real Estate | 16% |
| Dividends and Interest | 9% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Sharjah 880 AED
$240 | 8,000 AED
$2,200 | 88,000 AED
$24,000 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Sharjah
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 24% of the people in Sharjah 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 Sharjah
Debt to income ratio
28%
20% to 38%
( 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 Sharjah goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 11% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| 30% - 40% | 13% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 10% - 20% | 19% |
| 0% - 10% | 28% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Sharjah pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 11% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 16% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Sharjah
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 14% |
| Auto Loan | 23% |
| Student Loan | 3% |
| Credit Card | 24% |
| Personal Loan | 36% |
14% of debtors in Sharjah confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 24% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 23% of people and personal loans rose at 36%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Sharjah.
About credit score and debt managementManaging 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 Sharjah
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents 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 |
|---|
| Never | 56% |
| Once a year | 22% |
| Twice a year | 11% |
| Three times a year | 8% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Sharjah
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Sharjah
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,400 AED | 2,100 AED | 5,700 AED |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,100 AED | 3,400 AED | 8,600 AED |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,900 AED | 4,300 AED | 12,000 AED |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,500 AED | 5,800 AED | 16,000 AED |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 6,900 AED | 17,000 AED | 34,000 AED |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 5,700 AED | 8,500 AED | 24,000 AED |
House monthly rent cost
| 6,900 AED | 17,000 AED | 34,000 AED |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 8,500 AED | 21,000 AED | 34,000 AED |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Sharjah ranges between 1,400 AED and 5,700 AED, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,100 AED to 8,600 AED. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 2,900 AED and 12,000 AED per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,500 AED to 16,000 AED. The average rent of a townhouse in Sharjah is around 8,500 AED while house rental costs can be as high as 17,000 AED per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 8,500 AED to 34,000 AED per month.
Apartment and house prices in Sharjah
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 290,000 AED | 430,000 AED | 870,000 AED |
| $79,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 350,000 AED | 580,000 AED | 2.2M AED |
| $95,000 | $160,000 | $600,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 570,000 AED | 1.7M AED | 3.4M AED |
| $150,000 | $460,000 | $920,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 1.9M AED | 2.9M AED | 8.6M AED |
Townhouse price
| 2.5M AED | 5.8M AED | 22M AED |
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Sharjah can range from 290,000 AED to 870,000 AED depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 350,000 AED to 2.2M AED. A villa can cost you 19M AED on average with prices ranging from 3.5M AED to 29M AED.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Sharjah 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
| 45 | x132 monthly income | 238 |
Property prices in Sharjah can be x132 to x238 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x132 multiples of the average monthly salary in Sharjah.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Sharjah is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 45% 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.
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.
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.
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Sharjah
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
88%
79% to 98%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 6% |
| 50% - 60% | 12% |
| 60% - 70% | 18% |
| 70% - 80% | 27% |
| 80% - 90% | 15% |
| 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 Sharjah is 88%
This means that on average, people spend around 88% 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
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio
72%
89%
Couple
85%
Spending-Income-Ratio
77%
95%
Family
91%
Spending-Income-Ratio
83%
100%
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Sharjah
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Sharjah
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Sharjah is approximatly 32 AED with meal cost ranging from 16 AED to 53 AED. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 54 AED and 160 AED with 81 AED being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Sharjah.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 110 AED to 640 AED with the average cost being 160 AED for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Sharjah.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Sharjah is around 22 AED. Price ranges between 14 AED and 32 AED depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Sharjah is 13 AED. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 16 AED and the minimum being 11 AED depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 11 AED on average with 8 AED and 16 AED being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Sharjah is between 19 AED and 34 AED depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 24 AED.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 33 AED. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Sharjah costs around 12 AED on average with prices rangeing between 8.5 AED and 17 AED depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.2 AED to 8 AED. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 7.5 AED on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Sharjah is around 28%. This means that people spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 34% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group
A single person living alone spends approximately 1,700 AED per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 240 AED and 19,000 AED depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 2,100 AED per month. That number can be get as low as 330 AED or a high as 20,000 AED. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 640 AED to 32,000 AED with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
Cost of living comparison by city
#1 Um Al Quiwain
The average cost of living in Um Al Quiwain is 7,400 AED, which is 42% less than the country average. Um Al Quiwain is ranked first in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#2 Fujairah
The average cost of living in Fujairah is 8,200 AED, which is 33% less than the country average. Fujairah is ranked second in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#3 Ras Al Khaimah
The average cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah is 9,100 AED, which is 25% less than the country average. Ras Al Khaimah is ranked third in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#4 Ajman
The average cost of living in Ajman is 10,000 AED, which is 17% less than the country average. Ajman is ranked fourth in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#5 Al Ain
The average cost of living in Al Ain is 11,000 AED, which is 8.3% less than the country average. Al Ain is ranked fifth in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#6 Sharjah
The average cost of living in Sharjah is 12,000 AED, which is same as the country average. Sharjah is ranked sixth in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#7 Abu Dhabi
The average cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 13,000 AED, which is 8.3% more than the country average. Abu Dhabi is ranked seventh in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#8 Dubai
The average cost of living in Dubai is 15,000 AED, which is 25% more than the country average. Dubai is ranked eighth in United Arab Emirates in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
Published: April 20, 2024 Last Update: June 9, 2025
