The most common question I get asked (and asked by me before moving to Dubai) is what is the minimum monthly income required to live in Dubai.
It is no secret that Dubai is among the most expensive cities in the world. It has so much to offer that anyone living in Dubai should be making enough money to be able to enjoy all of that, because otherwise there is no point in living in Dubai if you don’t go for desert safari once in a while, or ski dubai, or wild wadi, and so on.
That would be like living next to a huge reservoir of clean water and never drink from it.
So the million dollar question remains: What is the minimum monthly income to live a good life in Dubai?
I will try to answer this question here, even though it is not easy to come up with a concrete figure.
It really depends on what kind of lifestyle you want to adapt in Dubai. You can enjoy the most lavish lifestyle or you can choose to go frugal (although frugality doesn’t go very far in Dubai). It’s really up to you.
However, some of the expenditures are constant and everyone has to pay it no matter what you do. For example, rent (unless you own the place you live), bills, food, transport, and other unplanned expenses that you don’t think about.
So here is a rough breakdown of these expenditures.
Rent: If you are living in Dubai (not Sharjah, God forbid), and you are renting an apartment, it will cost you minimum 6000 Dirhams a month for a decent one bedroom apartment (lower for studio apartment but the difference is not huge. I will always recommend 1 bedroom apartment if you are single or married without kids). Remember, this is minimum. If you want to live in a prime location like Dubai Marina then rent for a one bedroom apartment can start from 10,000 Dirhams. But let’s stick to 6000 Dirhams since we are considering average living.
Note: The above is under the assumption that you are not sharing your place with anyone. You can live for really cheap if you are willing to live in a bedroom with three other people and share the same washroom. Not recommended by me.
Bills: Some of the bills are constant, like power and water. You can’t avoid those. But the good news is that DEWA bills are not a big burden. The average amount is less than 150 per month for a one bedroom apartment. My apartment has free air conditioning so I don’t know what difference it would make if that is also included in your bills. Other bills can be telephone connection, DSL internet (if you decided to get a connection), cable TV or satellite TV (again depends if you have it), newspaper, and whatever other luxury you subscribe to. Let’s say it costs 1000 dirhams for all the bills.
Food and groceries: You gotta eat and you gotta buy stuff to keep your home running. Let’s allocate another 1000 dirhams for all this.
Transport: If you own a car you will have to pay for the fuel and maintenance. Let’s allocate 500 dirhams a month for this and hope you car doesn’t break down every month.
The total so far is 8,500 per month. Let’s round it off to 10,000 per month to cover additional expenses not considered here (let’s be honest, there are always unexpected expenditures that we never think about).
So you need 10,000 dirhams every month just to survive in Dubai. But no one comes to Dubai just to survive. You ought to have a good life. Now there is no limit to how good your life can be, but let’s say you spend around 3000 every month to enjoy Dubai. This includes entertainment such as movies, shows, trips to theme parks, shopping, eating out two to three times a month, and anything else that fancies you.
Add another 2000 for extra cash cushion. If you get your car financed through bank you have to include that in your budget as well. So these 2000 bucks can easily go towards car payments.
So the grand total is AED 15,000 per month. That’s how much you should at least be making if you want to live in Dubai.
Disclaimer: These are just my estimates and hold true as of April 2008. Don’t sue me if your experience is different. Considering the inflation rate in Dubai, you can easily add 20% to this amount every year.
Update: The above costs are in addition to cost of relocating and settling down in Dubai. You need extra money to rent an apartment and purchase furniture and other household items for it.
Did you know waiters in 5* hotels earn about Dhs. 1100 per month - hasn’t even gone up in 5 yrs!
Unbelievable is the discrepancy between that and what they would earn on an international par.
But I guess those in the low-income bracket use Dubai as a stepping stone to bigger and brighter things. I know many such people who set up companies here, and that’s a good thing: to have hope.
It’s true… and it’s sad… just today I met someone who works in an IT company in Dubai and makes only 6000 dirhams. Luckily he is single and lives with roommates. But he doesn’t have a car so he relies on taxis and buses. I really felt sorry for him because for that little money all you can do is go to work and come back home there is no way you can do anything else. What’s even sadder is that people accept jobs in dubai at even lower salaries.
For some reason, most people seem to avoid giving any numbers. Fear of being wrong maybe. I’m not moving to Dubai, so this information is irrelevant to me, but it was nice to see someone give out estimates.
In case you have plans to move to Dubai from India , One Suggestion - DO NOT !!
Pls add another 5000 AED for a driving
license atleast + the pain of being humiliated and treated like shit to get it
PS : if you can speak Arabic , it is a bit easy !
In case you get a license please add 300 AED for SALIK a month + 300 AED for parking
If you have kids that go to school – BAD LUCK – Pay at least 4500 AED a month for fee in a decent School
Welcome to Dubai taxi – for every 5 KM on an average ( with traffic ) AED 25
I have spent about AED 10,000 just on TAXI in my one year in Dubai
I regret my decision of coming here almost every day !!
It is no longer a place to make money , You just have to earn a lot and spend a lot ( most of it is waste )
I get 12500 AED a month plus a paid accommodation in a 2 BHK still I feel it is not worth !!
Beware – When you plan to shift ( specially if you are working in a decent place in India )
hi amit, what are the chances of jumping ships? other companies may pay more? If i may know, how many years of working experience do you have and currently in what field and industry?
I have been appointed to be a waiter from my position of being a junior manager how much money do you think waiters are paid there and do you think it is a good idea? Will l get time to come back to see my family and friends basing on the salary?
hi Umar, any idea how much a Marketing Manager in a governmental organization, with 7-8 years of relevant working experience should be paid. (with some years in the states and other continentals)
Sorry I have no idea, and I am not qualified to answer those kind of questions.
I have been offered by a big group co. for d role of an HR coordinator —
Basic: AED 3750
HRA: Comp Provided (For first six months) – Notional Value: AED 1500. Company provided accommodation is Executive Sharing Bachelors Accommodation.
Transportation: AED 500 (Comp provided) – Notional; upon getting the license, you will be given a company maintained vehicle if your job requires it.
Upon finishing the probation, you will be eligible for the HRA as per the company rules (based on the grade structure); approximately AED 2500.
Quarterly Incentive payout after the completion of probationary period. Annually this amount to about 1 to 1.5 basic based on performance.
Free Self Medical Insurance.
AED 7500/- would be paid as furniture allowance for a period of 60 months when HRA is availed. This is an allowance, which will be given to the incumbent and there will not be any deductions for this.
60 days of paid leave with tickets for self.
When the candidate wants to bring in the family to Dubai, additional family benefits for insurance and tickets can be provided.
—
pleas advise if it wld b worth as i am already drawing a tax free salary of 3.6 lacs pa in new delhi with an UN organization. i wish to tk my wife with me if i migrate to dubai for job…
pls advise ..
regards,
Nair
Hi I m working in guragon with a decent IT company with a package of around 5.6 to 6 lacs p.a. . In dubai 1 company is givingme around 8000 to 10000 dirahms. so should I make shift from India to Dubai.and what are various factors i should keep in mind while making a switch.
Hi GC -
Dubai is a a very ,neat ,clean ,nice ,safe place to live provided you can afford . The mission for this city is to have only those people staying here who earn realy well . I mean in short ,people from west !!
Any one from Europe will get 30 % more than you for the same Job because of SKIN colour . A lot People might disagree to this - but sadly this is a fact
Accomodation in a decent one bedroom in Dubai will not be less than 6000 AED a month plus charges for water and electricity bills .
The cost of living here is aproxx 40 % more than India. so move only if you get atleast 80 - 100 % increase on you current salary .
Now big question to answer is - Do you Stay in delhi at your own house or are you paying rent there also ? Where is your company based in Dubai ? You will hear from lot of people that housing is cheap in Sharjah ! Well it is if you are ready to spend 4 hrs every day on road !! and to do that you need a car … you will take atleast 1 year and go through a painfull process to get a driving license
Do NOT be gready and short Sighted to see the immidiate CASH only benifits only . You can not enjoy Indian festivals here as much as you can do back home . Every time you will fly back to India it will cost you ..
I earn more than twice the salary you will get here ( including my benifts of company provided 2 BHK flat ) but still will feel I am not making a huge amount , People at my level back in India make more or less same money . I agree you pay taxes but you see that’s you country ..freedom has a cost ..you can go anywhere and almost do anything ( including leeking on the roadside after couple of beers !! )
Think hard before you jump the gun !
I returned from Dubai this very morning (07 July) after a full day job-interview with a Marketing Company.
The company has called me now and offered me the following package:
~ Basic Salary: US$ 3,200 (12,000 AED) a month
~ 1 bed apartment: US$ 3,000 a month
~ Utility bills covered by the company
~ Car US$ 15,000
~ Medical Insurance for me, my wife & kid
~ Annual return flights for all
The total package (excluding the car, health and flights) is approx US$ 6200.
I have to answer them in the morning … Will it be a good bargain …. keeping in mind that I will be moving with my wife, 2 yr old kid and my father.
I am from Karachi, Pakistan and here i live a decent life … own appt, personal business and other earnings.
HZ
@Hasan: As your medical and accommodation costs are covered, the only big chunk of expenses is education of your kid, which I guess you can easily bare.
While Dubai offer sense of security and upgraded lifestyle (from Karachi’s perspective), please bear in mind that inflation and cost-of-living are rising there too. Government is planning to introduce VAT sometime this year which will further fuel the inflation.
I am not sure why you want to leave Karachi, if you have a decent life here?
@ Kashif:
The thing which interests me in this offer the most is the international work experience and exposure i will get in my respective field of work.
I have good experience in Pakistan … and now there is no growth left in it.
Yeah, well, if the reason is professional growth then jumping ships is not bad. However, do your due diligence before moving the family.
Best of Luck.
What’s the minimum salary required to work & live a comfortably in Dubai.?
Hi,
I am planning for a job in Dubai, would appreciate if you could help me in detail on the below and on any other that you can think of…
What’s the minimum salary required to work & live a comfortably in Dubai.
The Minimum requirements would be:
A decent car (Corolla/Civic)
1 BHK Rent in Sharjah (Will move with my wife)
Also what’s the life like in the UAE?
Regards,
Frank
Frank » please read this post to get the answer to your questions.
Subject: Cost of bringing car to Dubai? Taxes, fees or tariffs?
Hi,
Does anyone know how much it costs to move a car from to Dubai? Is it worthwhile? I know it depends on the origin location. I am concerned with import tariffs or taxes or any other fees.
Any feedback is appreciated!!
Thanks,
Ghassan
Ghassan » in addition to the cargo costs i think they charge 5% tax. If I remember correctly they don’t let vehicles older than 5 years to be imported in Dubai. However, I recommend you consult with someone who has greater knowledge in this area.
Hi !
Im a final yr Mech. engg student frm Delhi. A company called AMANA Constructions & Pipelines is visiting my campus for the recruitment. The salary they are giving is US$1250 - 2400. Will it be a good bid to sit for this company and clearing it ?
Guys plz help .. Im in a real worry about this !!
Do reply asap ..
Sharad - first thing is to find out other perks like allowance for accomodation , travel,relocation etc
the salary range you have mentioned is to wide to comment ! find out the actual amount for youself
Dubai is a a very ,neat ,clean ,nice ,safe place to live provided you can afford .
Accomodation in a decent one bedroom in Dubai will not be less than 6000 AED a month plus charges for water and electricity bills .
The cost of living here is aproxx 40 % more than India. so move only if you get atleast 80 -100 % increase on you current salary .
MOST IMPORTANT - CHECK YOUR JOB ROLE !!
hi to all
i am landscape architect from mumbai with 2yrs experience. presently a company is offering 20,000dhs/months which includes basic travel and accomodations. pls can some one help as to should i go for this job. my husband is also looking for a job there too.
hi i have been offered 15000 dhm in a construstion company as procurement officer, this package includes all the allowances like accomodation,phone and petrol for car, i have my wife and 2 years son travelling with me from north america, plus if some one can give me the breakdown of the expenses like rent,food, car and utilities, my job will be around jumera beach,will i be saving some money over there and how is the life,your replies will be highly apprecited,thanks in advance
zain » if you read this post you will get all the information you are looking for. Thanks.