The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a favorable destination for international students because the cost of studying in UAE is much cheaper as compared to other countries such USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, and Germany. Despite this, it should also be noted that the cost of living in UAE is 170.1% higher than India, along with the rent being 532.9% higher. International students willing to study abroad in UAE not only need to pay the rent, but also cover the tuition fees of the university and travel expenses, which can lead to financial burden.
It is estimated that the average monthly cost of living for a single person is 3,318 AED (77,660 INR), excluding rent, and for a family of four is 11,545 AED (2.59 lakhs INR). So, it is important for international students to be aware of the off-campus housing facilities and costs involved to prepare the budget beforehand. They should also be aware of the associated costs such as food and travel to avoid any sort of financial burden in the future.
On-Campus Housing Cost in UAE
Most of the top universities in UAE allow international students to live on campus. All the accommodations offer 24*7 internet facilities. The following table includes some of the rates:
| Universities | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| BITS Pilani | 15,000 per semester | 3.37 lakhs |
| Amity University | 40,000 per year | 9.01 lakhs |
| Manipal University | 35,500 per year | 8 lakhs |
| Gulf Medical University | 28,000 per year | 6.31 lakhs |
| Abu Dhabi University | Fall or Spring: 14,250 per term | Winter or Summer: 4,300 per term | Fall: 3.21 lakhs | Winter: 96,882 |
| United Arab Emirates University | 5,600 per semester | 1.26 lakhs |
| Khalifa University | 20,000 per semester | 4.51 lakhs |
Off-Campus Housing Cost in UAE
Private housing and rented flats are two other options for accommodation that are available in the UAE. Typically, rented apartments are the most popular type of off-campus housing. The estimated monthly off-campus accommodation cost is around 7,797 AED (1.75 lakhs INR) for international students. Some of the related accommodation expenses are as follows:
| Expense Type | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent for 85 m2 (900 sq ft) furnished accommodation | 6,394 | 1.44 lakhs |
| Rent for 45 m2 (480 sq ft) furnished studio | 4,197 | 94,573 |
| Utilities | 586 | 13,204 |
| Laundry | 45 | 1,014 |
| Internet | 343 | 7,729 |
| Cleaning/Hygiene (hourly rate) | 42 | 946 |
| Shopping | 274 | 6,173 |
| Entertainment | 317 | 7,141 |
| Groceries | 895 | 20,163 |
To significantly lower your cost of living, it is highly recommended that you rent a flat with other students or your friends.
Cost of Meals in UAE
International students can expect an estimated monthly expenditure of 895 AED (20,163 INR) on meals and groceries. The detailed breakdown of the same is given in the table below:
| Expense Type | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 liter milk | 7 | 157 |
| 1 kg tomatoes | 5.17 | 116 |
| 1 kg apples | 8 | 180 |
| 1 kg potatoes | 3.98 | 89 |
| 1 dozen (12) eggs | 14 | 315 |
| 1 kg local cheese | 33 | 743 |
| Bread | 4.23 | 95 |
| Fast food combo meal | 30 | 675 |
| Basic lunchtime meal | 52 | 1,171 |
Transportation Cost in UAE
The UAE, a nation where private vehicles predominated until recently, now has some of the best-laid plans for public transportation that can accommodate all budgets and lifestyles. If you don't want to deal with car maintenance, parking hassles, or (very) expensive fines for breaking the law, you can loosen up. Depending on where you live, the UAE's public transportation system is world class and is constantly improving. Some of the related transportation costs are as follows:
| Expense Type | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single bus ticket | 7 | 157 |
| Monthly bus pass | 300 | 6,758 |
| Taxi Start | 12 | 270 |
| Taxi journey (1km) | 3.12 | 70 |
Medical Cost in UAE
Following are some of the medical costs in UAE an international student can expect to incur while living in the country:
| Expense Type | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cold medicine (for a week) | 23 | 518 |
| 1 box of antibiotics | 37 | 833 |
| 15-minute visit to a private doctor | 261 | 5,879 |
| Health Insurance (yearly) | 615-800 | 13,854-18,022 |
Personal Expenses in UAE
Aside from the cost of living, housing, and transportation, students may indulge in leisure pursuits like going to the movies, working out in the gym, and other fitness activities. Daily necessities, snacks, and personal hygiene products are all included in personal expenses. The following is a list of the various miscellaneous expenses associated with living in UAE:
| Expense Type | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | 23 | 518 |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 14 | 315 |
| Toothpaste | 26 | 585 |
| Standard haircut | 49 | 1,103 |
| 1-month gym membership | 314 | 7,073 |
| Cinema (1 seat) | 45 | 1,012 |
The personal expenses also include the cost of clothing. The table below gives a certain idea for the same:
| Expense Type | Cost (AED) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pair of jeans | 223 | 5,023 |
| 1 summer dress | 209 | 4,708 |
| 1 pair of sport shoes | 340 | 7,659 |
| 1 pair of business shoes | 325 | 7,321 |
Cost of Living in UAE by City
The following table represents the varied cost of living expenses in the different cities in UAE:
| City Name | Accommodation (AED) | Food (AED) | Transport (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,204-6,571 | 913 | 295 |
| Abu Dhabi | 5,237-8,923 | 856 | 82 |
| Sharjah | 18,352-24,529 | 750 | 275 |
| Ajman | 772-1,588 | 634 | 150 |
How to reduce the Cost of Living in UAE?
- Scholarships: The tuition fees of the universities make up a huge portion of the overall cost of living in UAE. You can take advantage of the various international scholarships in UAE offered by the universities and the government. These scholarships can cover 100% or a portion of your tuition fees, and are usually given on the basis of academic excellence. Some scholarships might require additional applications or skills, or you can be considered automatically by applying to the specific university.
- Accommodation: Various universities in UAE such as BITS Pilani, Manipal University, and Amity University provide on-campus accommodation and hostel facilities to the students. These dormitories are much cheaper than the overall expenditure on off-campus accommodation. If you choose to go for residencies outside the campus, you must conduct proper research and search for areas where you can live on a budget.
- Location: The location of your accommodation also affects the overall expenditure. You should consider living nearer to your university or school to reduce the cost of traveling. Apart from this, some of the cities and areas in UAE like Ajman, Jumeirah village circle (JVC), Dubai International City, Deira, and Dubai Silicon Oasis offer accommodation with lower rent and well-connected facilities.
- Transportation: The extensive public transportation system in UAE, which includes buses, ferries, metro, and trams, enables residents to commute in a cost-effective and safe manner. One of the best recommendations to reduce the cost of living in the UAE is to take public transportation. The country’s metro, which connects most of the city's significant landmarks and neighborhoods, has fares as low as AED 4.
FAQs
Ques: How much money do you need to live in UAE?
Ans: You can expect an estimated monthly off-campus accommodation expense of around 7,797 AED (1.75 lakhs INR)
Ques: What salary do I need to live in Dubai?
Ans: A monthly salary of 10,000-15,000 AED (2.24 lakhs-3.37 lakhs INR) per month is regarded as fairly decent, helping you to live comfortably in Dubai, and also offers the chance to save a sizable sum.
Ques: What is the average rent in UAE?
Ans: The rent in UAE varies according to the size of residence, location and the cost of utilities. It is estimated around 4,197-6,394 AED ( 94,573-1.44 lakhs INR)
Ques: How much is the monthly rent in Dubai?
Ans: The estimated monthly rent in Dubai is around 3,204-6,571 AED (72,097-1.47 lakhs INR). Dubai has a significantly lower cost of living when compared to some of the world's major expat hubs, including Hong Kong, London, New York, and Singapore.
Ques: How can we reduce the cost of living in UAE?
Ans: Some of the tips to reduce the overall cost of living in UAE are as follows:
- You can take advantage of the various international scholarships offered by the universities in UAE.
- Various universities in UAE such as BITS Pilani, Manipal University, and Amity University provide on-campus accommodation and hostel facilities to the students. These dormitories are much cheaper than the overall expenditure on off-campus accommodation.
- Some of the cities and areas in UAE like Ajman, Jumeirah village circle (JVC), Dubai International City, Deira, and Dubai Silicon Oasis offer accommodation with lower rent and well-connected facilities.
- One of the best recommendations to reduce the cost of living in the UAE is to take public transportation. The country’s metro, which connects most of the city's significant landmarks and neighborhoods, has fares as low as AED 4.
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