The Toolkit · Free Tool
The True Cost of Dubai
What it actually takes to move, live and invest here — setup and living, in honest ranges, without the broker embellishments. Adjust anything; the numbers move with you.
Who is moving?
How many children?
2 children
Does your employer cover insurance & schooling?Big lever
Visa setup
Home
Property type
Where you'll live
Rent paid inCashflow
Schooling
Getting around
Home help
Your Year One in Dubai
AED 705,000 – 1,260,000
One-time setup plus twelve months of living. A planning range, not a quote.
Cash you need on Day 1
Setup + your first rent cheque. A one-cheque landlord? It’s far more.
AED 200,000 – 390,000
The Setup
One-time, before you’ve unpacked
Temporary home while you waitAED 15,000 – 40,000
Flights & shipping your life overAED 15,000 – 45,000
Golden Visa & medical (4 people)AED 14,000 – 26,000
Housing deposit, agency & EjariAED 18,000 – 27,000
Utility, cooling & telecom depositsAED 3,000 – 6,000
Furnishing your homeAED 40,000 – 85,000
Car: down-payment, plates & insuranceAED 30,000 – 45,000
School registration & assessmentAED 10,000 – 20,000
“Dubai happens” buffer (10%)AED 14,000 – 29,000
Setup subtotalAED 160,000 – 325,000
The Running Cost
Every month, once you’re here
Rent (family-suburb villa)AED 14,000 – 22,000
School fees, 2 childrenAED 13,000 – 18,000
Groceries & householdAED 4,000 – 6,500
Transport & fuelAED 3,000 – 4,500
Utilities & telecomAED 2,000 – 3,500
Chiller / district coolingAED 500 – 1,500
Health insuranceAED 1,600 – 4,000
Home help (part-time)AED 1,500 – 2,500
Flights home (per year, averaged)AED 1,500 – 3,000
The Dubai tax — lifestyle & diningAED 5,000 – 12,000
Monthly subtotalAED 46,000 – 78,000
ⓘ Buying instead of renting?
Switch “Home” to Buy and the setup swaps rent deposits for acquisition costs — DLD 4%, agency, trustee & mortgage fees, plus your down-payment; rent becomes service charges and maintenance.
This is a map, not a contract. Costs fluctuate and life happens — these ranges are realistic current averages, deliberately not lowballed, to help you land with open eyes.
No email required — the breakdown is yours to keep.