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Living in Dubai as an expat means enjoying year-round sunshine, world-class healthcare, a safe environment, and access to one of the most diverse international communities in the world. English is widely spoken, making daily life and work easier, and the city offers excellent schools, advanced infrastructure, and endless shopping and dining options.
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Expats can also expect a competitive job market, high living standards, and cultural experiences that blend tradition with modern luxury. While the cost of living is lower than in cities like New York or London, Dubai still offers a wide range of housing and lifestyle options to suit different budgets.
Pacific Prime has created this article with the intent of answering these questions.
This article is the core article in a series all about the reality of life in Dubai, so we will go on to introduce you to topics such as the pros and cons of Dubai, the cost of living in Dubai, how to find a job in Dubai, and what healthcare is like in Dubai.
We will then direct you to several blog posts that dig even deeper into these topics. We highly recommend you take the links to learn more about the specific topics that interest you the most.
If you ever come across questions that are unanswered, reach out to Pacific Prime and our insurance experts.
Daily Life in Dubai for Expats
Expats who live in Dubai can expect a sunny climate almost all year long, to shop at the largest shopping mall in the world, to feel safe in a city with one of the lowest crime rates globally, and to have a wide diversity of real estate options from modest to luxurious.
Here is a list of some of the pros of living in Dubai as an expat:
- English is spoken by 65% of people in Dubai. If English is your native language or a second language you speak, it can make it very easy for expats to communicate in Dubai.
- Dubai has excellent international schools. If you are part of an expat family in Dubai, you will have options to put your children in international schools with world-renowned curricula.
- Dubai’s transportation is growing in sophistication. Dubai has launched an extensive transportation system with trams, metros, buses, taxis, and more.
- Dubai has some of the best healthcare in the world. Dubai’s healthcare is technologically advanced and provides cutting-edge care, and private hospitals have attractive accommodations that bring medical tourism.
- Dubai has international dining options. While Dubai has delectable Middle Eastern and Central African cuisine, expats can also find international restaurants from all around the world.
Here is a list of some of the cons of living in Dubai as an expat:
- Dubai’s internet restrictions. The government in Dubai has made internet restrictions on sites that seem to be contrary to Islamic morality, and this may be a big change for some expats.
- Dubai doesn’t have designated addresses. For expats who come from a country where postal addresses are standard, it may be difficult to get used to finding locations based on word of mouth and surrounding landmarks.
We have several articles that discuss in detail what it’s like living in Dubai and what expats can expect when they get there. Check out the following posts on our blog:
- To read even more about the pros and cons of living in Dubai, read our blog post titled Is Dubai a Good Place to Live?
- To learn about cultural differences between Dubai and other parts of the world, read our posts that discuss what it’s like living in Dubai as an American, as a Canadian, and as a UK citizen.
- To learn some of the many reasons expats are moving to Dubai, read our article titled Living in Dubai as an Expat.
Dubai Cost of Living for Expats
Dubai locals and expats on average spend USD $1,975 a month on living expenses if they are single. Families on average spend USD $4,546 a month on living expenses in Dubai. The cost of living in Dubai is considered more affordable than the average in New York, Toronto, and London.
Rent for expats in Dubai costs USD $1,193 on average if they are single and USD $2,125 on average if they are a family of four. This differs greatly from the averages in New York, Toronto, and London, which are as follows:
- Rent in New York is USD $2,541 for 1 and $3,789 for a family
- Rent in Toronto is USD $1,500 for 1 and $2,442 for a family
- Rent in London is USD $1,951 for 1 and $3,238 for a family
To see even more about what it costs to live in Dubai, check out our blog post titled The Cost to Live in Dubai.
Also, the following chart shows the average monthly living expenses in Dubai for a variety of categories. Each expense is compared to the averages in New York City, USA, Toronto, CA, and London, UK.
Every monetary value below is in USD unless specifically noted as either AED, CAD, or GBP.
| Monthly Living Costs in Dubai | ||||
| Type of Living Expense | Dubai, UAE Cost | New York, USA Cost | Toronto, CA Cost | London, UK Cost |
| Overall Expenses for 1 | $1,975
(AED 7,254) |
$3,879 | $2,460
(C$3,366) |
$3,029
(£2,493) |
| Overall Expenses for a Family | $4,546
(AED 16,700) |
$8,148 | $5,493
(C$7,517) |
$6,932
(£5,705) |
| Rent for 1 | $1,193
(AED 4,390) |
$2,541 | $1,500
(C$2,053) |
$1,951
(£1,606) |
| Rent for a family | $2,125
(AED 7,805) |
$3,789 | $2,442
(C$3,342) |
$3,238
(£2,665) |
| Food for 1 | $451
(AED 1,650) |
$751 | $581
(C$803) |
$528
(£435) |
| Food for a family | $1,172
(AED 4,300) |
$1,935 | $1,530
(C$2,115) |
$1,359
(£1,120) |
| Transportation for 1 | $190
(AED 700) |
$255 | $250
(C$345) |
$375
(£309) |
| Transportation for a family | $485
(AED 1,780) |
$663 | $632
(C$874) |
$995
(£820) |
The information in this chart comes from LivingCost.org.
We have the following in-depth articles about the cost of living in Dubai as well that expats will want to read:
- To compare living expenses between Dubai and the United States, read our article Living in Dubai as an American.
- To compare living expenses between Dubai and Canada, read our article Living in Dubai as a Canadian.
- To compare living expenses between Dubai and the United Kingdom, read our article Living in Dubai as a UK/British Citizen.
- For a detailed analysis of whether or not Dubai or the United States is more affordable, read our article Is it Cheaper to Live in Dubai or the United States?
- To discover how average housing expenses in Dubai compare to those in the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom, read our article What is the Average Rent in Dubai?
Job Market in Dubai for Expats
To find a job in Dubai as an expat, you’ll want to learn about the job market in Dubai and what recruiters expect from applicants. This can include learning how to revise your CV to meet Dubai expectations, the best times of year to apply for a job, and what jobs are currently in high demand.
To get you started on how to approach this daunting task, we’ve written several blog posts for you that can make it easier. Each includes tips about how to apply for a job, as well as lists of careers that Dubai tends to have an interest in hiring.
These articles include:
- Finding a Job in Dubai as an American includes a list of English-speaking jobs for Americans and other native English speakers wanting to move to Dubai.
- Finding a Job in Dubai as a Canadian has five detailed steps to applying for a Dubai job you won’t want to miss.
- Finding a job in Dubai as a UK Citizen features some of the most in-demand jobs currently in Dubai.
- Finding a Job in Dubai as an Expat is a dedicated post to job hunting tips that come directly from Dubai expats who have already gone through the process of finding a job.
Healthcare and Insurance in Dubai
All Dubai residents, including expats, are required by law to have health insurance. Insurance can be given to employed expats through their employer, but dependents may not be covered by these benefits. If that’s the case, expats will be required to purchase a private insurance plan for them.
To learn more about how the Dubai healthcare system works and your options as an expat for insurance, read our website page about health insurance in Dubai for expats.
We also recommend several of our blog posts that break down healthcare and health insurance in Dubai in such a way that it is easy for expats to know what they need and how to do it.
- Is Health Insurance Free in Dubai for Expats? is one that answers whether or not insurance is free and how expats can receive medical coverage.
- Our blog post Does Dubai Have Good Hospitals? explains how phenomenal the hospitals in Dubai are, as well as listing out the best public and private ones.
- To read about What Happens if You Don’t Have Medical Insurance in Dubai? check out this post.
- Our website page List of Hospitals in the UAE can tell you about all the hospitals available in the United Arab Emirates.
If you’d like to learn about private health insurance and the number of plan options available to expats, Pacific Prime is happy to help. Talking to an insurance expert can help answer all your questions.
You’re also invited to use our free insurance quote generator to see dozens of insurance quotes side by side. Looking at the plans, their benefits, and their costs can give you an idea of what it will cost you to get insurance, and it can help you see which providers offer coverage in Dubai.
Conclusion
You should have a much better idea of where you can learn more about each of these topics related to living in Dubai as an expat. This article is like a touchstone that is intended to help you find the topics you’d like to dig deeper into.
Read the articles that interest you, and you’ll be more prepared for Dubai!
Expats will likely also find value in our articles Moving to Dubai – A Comprehensive Guide, The 14 Most Common Diseases to Watch Out For When Traveling Abroad, The 5 Best Travel Insurance Companies, and The Best Places to Live in Dubai.
If you’re not completely set on Dubai, however, you can check out The Best Places to Live in the UAE, The Best Places to Live in Europe, and The Best Places to Live in Asia.
Happy travels!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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