Cost Of Living For a Student in Abu Dhabi 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: AED
Average monthly spending for students in Abu Dhabi
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Abu Dhabi?
Students in Abu Dhabi spend around 8,600 AED per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1,300 AED or as high as 96,000 AED. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
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.
How do students spend their money in Abu Dhabi?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)
| LOW | $87 320 AED |
| AVERAGE | $560 2,100 AED |
| HIGH | $6,300 23,000 AED |
| Per Month |
Students in Abu Dhabi typically spend from 14% to 25% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 19% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,100 AED with expenditure ranging from 320 AED to 23,000 AED. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $13 49 AED |
| AVERAGE | $86 320 AED |
| HIGH | $960 3,500 AED |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Abu Dhabi ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 320 AED with 49 AED and 3,500 AED being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $24 90 AED |
| AVERAGE | $160 580 AED |
| HIGH | $1,800 6,500 AED |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 90 AED to 6,500 AED in a month on commuting with 580 AED being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $69 250 AED |
| AVERAGE | $450 1,600 AED |
| HIGH | $5,000 18,000 AED |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Abu Dhabi is 1,600 AED. The cost of groceries can range between 250 AED to 18,000 AED. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $19 70 AED |
| AVERAGE | $120 450 AED |
| HIGH | $1,400 5,000 AED |
| Per Month |
Students in Abu Dhabi allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 70 AED to 5,000 AED with 450 AED being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $17 63 AED |
| AVERAGE | $110 410 AED |
| HIGH | $1,200 4,600 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 63 AED to 4,600 AED with 410 AED being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $65 240 AED |
| AVERAGE | $420 1,600 AED |
| HIGH | $4,700 17,000 AED |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,600 AED per month with 240 AED being the minimum spent amount and 17,000 AED being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $53 200 AED |
| AVERAGE | $350 1,300 AED |
| HIGH | $3,800 14,000 AED |
| Per Month |
Prices and cost of goods and services in Abu Dhabi
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
| 41,000 AED | 81,000 AED | 110,000 AED |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
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
| 1,500 AED | 2,300 AED | 6,200 AED |
1-bedroom apartment
| 2,400 AED | 3,800 AED | 9,500 AED |
2-bedroom apartment
| 3,200 AED | 4,800 AED | 13,000 AED |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 320,000 AED | 480,000 AED | 960,000 AED |
| $87,000 | $130,000 | $260,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 390,000 AED | 650,000 AED | 2.4M AED |
| $110,000 | $180,000 | $670,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 620,000 AED | 1.9M AED | 3.7M AED |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 1,700 AED | 2,100 AED | 2,800 AED |
Double Bed
| 1,100 AED | 1,700 AED | 2,100 AED |
Single Bed
| 1,000 AED | 1,300 AED | 1,700 AED |
Living Room
| 1,900 AED | 2,500 AED | 8,800 AED |
Dining Table
| 830 AED | 1,100 AED | 2,100 AED |
Sofa or Couch
| 1,100 AED | 1,500 AED | 3,400 AED |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1,100 AED | 1,700 AED | 3,400 AED |
Fridge or Freezer
| 1,000 AED | 1,600 AED | 2,200 AED |
Washing Machine
| 1,300 AED | 1,800 AED | 3,300 AED |
Stove or Cooker
| 1,200 AED | 1,500 AED | 2,100 AED |
Mobile Phone
| 1,400 AED | 1,700 AED | 2,400 AED |
Laptop or Computer
| 1,600 AED | 1,900 AED | 3,500 AED |
Affordable living in Abu Dhabi
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Abu Dhabi?
Around 76% of surveyed students think that living in Abu Dhabi is affordable with proper budgeting while 24% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes75%
No25%
Based on the survey, 25% of the students living in Abu Dhabi said that they don't have an emergency fund while 75% said that they do.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Abu Dhabi
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Abu Dhabi
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,500 AED | 2,300 AED | 6,200 AED |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,400 AED | 3,800 AED | 9,500 AED |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,200 AED | 4,800 AED | 13,000 AED |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,900 AED | 6,500 AED | 18,000 AED |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 7,600 AED | 19,000 AED | 38,000 AED |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 6,200 AED | 9,300 AED | 27,000 AED |
House monthly rent cost
| 7,600 AED | 19,000 AED | 38,000 AED |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 9,300 AED | 23,000 AED | 37,000 AED |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Abu Dhabi ranges between 1,500 AED and 6,200 AED, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,400 AED to 9,500 AED. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,200 AED and 13,000 AED per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,900 AED to 18,000 AED. The average rent of a townhouse in Abu Dhabi is around 9,300 AED while house rental costs can be as high as 19,000 AED per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 9,300 AED to 37,000 AED per month.
Apartment and house prices in Abu Dhabi
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 320,000 AED | 480,000 AED | 960,000 AED |
| $87,000 | $130,000 | $260,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 390,000 AED | 650,000 AED | 2.4M AED |
| $110,000 | $180,000 | $670,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 620,000 AED | 1.9M AED | 3.7M AED |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 2.1M AED | 3.2M AED | 9.5M AED |
Townhouse price
| 2.8M AED | 6.4M AED | 24M AED |
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Abu Dhabi can range from 320,000 AED to 960,000 AED depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 390,000 AED to 2.4M AED. A villa can cost you 22M AED on average with prices ranging from 3.9M AED to 33M AED.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Abu Dhabi 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
| 50 | x144 monthly income | 261 |
Property prices in Abu Dhabi can be x144 to x261 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x144 multiples of the average monthly salary in Abu Dhabi.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Abu Dhabi is around 37%. This means that people pay 37% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 25% to 48% 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.
Low-cost alternatives in Abu Dhabi
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 students 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 students living in Abu Dhabi 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.
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 student guardians and parents in Abu Dhabi 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 students 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%
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Abu Dhabi
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Abu Dhabi
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 Abu Dhabi is approximatly 34 AED with meal cost ranging from 17 AED to 56 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 58 AED and 170 AED with 87 AED being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 110 AED to 670 AED with the average cost being 170 AED for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Abu Dhabi.
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 Abu Dhabi is around 23 AED. Price ranges between 14 AED and 34 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 Abu Dhabi is 14 AED. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 17 AED and the minimum being 12 AED depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 11 AED on average with 8.4 AED and 17 AED being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Abu Dhabi is between 20 AED and 36 AED depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 26 AED.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 36 AED. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Abu Dhabi costs around 12 AED on average with prices rangeing between 8.9 AED and 17 AED depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.4 AED to 8.4 AED. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 8 AED on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 250 AED to 18,000 AED with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Abu Dhabi
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Abu Dhabi
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
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 energy and water consumption of students is around 320 AED. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 87 AED to 230 AED with 170 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 Abu Dhabi is around 5.6%. This means that people pay 5.6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.2% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Published: February 25, 2024 Last Update: April 5, 2025
