Living in Abu Dhabi 2025: How Much Does Rent, Food & Transport Really Cost?

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, and a place of an incredible standard of living with the best infrastructure, security, and economic prospects. Nevertheless, the cost of living in the lively city may fluctuate according to the lifestyle and family size. From rent and groceries to transportation and education, everything in Abu Dhabi is affordable and high-end. You could be a bachelor, a student, or a family in the expat situation, but it is necessary to know these costs so that you can manage to budget effectively. A critical analysis of the average cost of living in Abu Dhabi in 2025 is presented below, as well as tips that can assist you in managing your money better.

Monthly average cost of living in Abu Dhabi(2025)

Breakdown and Insights of Expenses

Rent:

The greatest monthly expenditure in Abu Dhabi is housing. Depending on the area and type of accommodation, prices vary between AED 17,000 and AED 29,000. There are also such neighborhoods as Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, and Al Raha Beach, which expats like the most due to their comfort and convenience.

Groceries:

Groceries are between AED 150 and AED 1,090 every month. Local markets are also relatively low-priced in terms of the prices of the products, whereas the work of international supermarkets such as Carrefour or Lulu can be slightly more expensive in terms of imports.

Basic Utilities:

Internet, electricity, and water are approximately AED 136 – 410 monthly. Such expenses are influenced significantly by the usage cost and the size of the apartment.

Transport:

Abu Dhabi transport is also inexpensive, and depending on the type of transport you use, buses, taxis, or whether you have your own car, spending on transport per month can range between AED 100 and AED 1,500. People can now travel easily and cheaply in the city because of the expanding transport system.

Shopping and Entertainment:

Prices of leisure and shopping differ greatly, with the range of AED 80 as the minimum price to buy the basic commodities, and AED 2000/above as the maximum price to purchase premium brands and entertainment. All budgets are met in popular malls such as Yas Mall and Marina Mall.

Schooling of Children:

Education is an important expenditure of the families, which is between AED 600-26300 monthly according to the school and curriculum (British, American, or IB). International schools tend to have a high price, although they have globally recognized programs.