If you want to study in Dubai UAE, it is important for you
to know the “living expenses in Dubai”. As much as a healthy and luxurious life
attracts you, living in Dubai also takes a lot of effort. Yes, you heard it
right. Dubai is very expensive and is ranked top 10-15 most expensive cities
globally in the ranking of the most expensive cities in the world (Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey 2023 and ECA International 2024) for 2023 and 2024. The
currency of Dubai, Dirham (AED) is equivalent to INR 23.352695 Indian Rupees as
per the current exchange rate, which means that the city will naturally be
expensive for most Indian students.
This article will tell you about the living expenses in
Dubai in detail along with several tips and tricks to reduce your monthly
expenses while living in this exotic wonderland. We have mapped the estimated
total living expenses in Dubai for international students and a list of the top
5 universities in Dubai along with their average fees.
The cost of accommodation varies greatly depending on the lifestyle you want. The rent of a studio apartment differs from that of flats and villas for single and multiple occupants. The table below lists these costs separately in Dubai Dirhams and Indian Rupees.
Housing Type | Average Monthly Rent (AED) | Average Monthly Rent (INR) |
University Hostel/Shared Apartment | AED 800-2000 | INR 18000/- to 45000/- |
Private / Studio (1 BHK) | AED 2500-4500 | INR 56250/- t0 .11Lakh |
Private / Studio (3 BHK) | AED 11500 | INR 2.65 Lakh |
The information about the exchange rate between AED and INR presented in this article is accurate as of May 01, 2025.
Please note that the above figures may vary according to different properties, people and different situations. This rent is around 3-5 times higher than the normal rent in Delhi NCR, the latest cost of living index in Dubai is 58.0, and for Delhi NCR it is 22.0 (approx).
Cost of Food and Groceries in Dubai:
There are many grocery options available in Dubai to suit different budgets. Below is the average monthly cost of basic groceries in AED and INR at different supermarkets in Dubai.
Food and Grocery | Average Cost in INR |
Cooking At Home | INR 13,000/- to 25,000/- |
Eating Out | INR 28,000/- to 35,000/- |
Cost of Transportation:
Transportation Cost Dubai offers various transportation options such as local transport, taxis or buying a private car. Below is the average transportation cost using various transportation modes in Dubai.
Transportation Cost | Average Cost in INR |
Public Transport | INR 4,500/- to 8,000/- |
Taxi (Optional) | INR 6500/- to 10,000/- |