Umm Al Quwain, a serene emirate in the United Arab Emirates, offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern amenities. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Umm Al Quwain, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $6.53 on average, with a range between $2.72 and $25.37.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $27.23, with prices ranging from $21.78 to $136.13.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.17, with a range between $8.17 and $10.89.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $6.81 to $14.97, imported beer $9.53 to $16.34, cappuccino $1.91 to $8.17, and Coke/Pepsi $0.68 to $4.08.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.36 and $2.86 per liter, averaging $1.86.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.54 and $3.27, with an average price of $1.06.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.09 to $4.9, averaging $1.99.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.09 to $3.81 per kg, while oranges range from $0.54 to $3.27 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.54 and $1.63 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.27 to $2.72 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - Currently, there are no costs associated with one-way local transport tickets.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.74 and $0.95 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.36, with a cost of $0.53 to $1.36 per km and $7.49 to $13.61 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available for 1-bedroom apartment rent in the city centre.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available for 1-bedroom apartment rent outside the centre.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available for 3-bedroom apartment rent in the city centre.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available for 3-bedroom apartment rent outside the centre.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - Data not available for buying price per square meter in the city centre.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Data not available for buying price per square meter outside the centre.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $95.29 and $289.27, averaging $139.67.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $54.45 to $136.13, with an average cost of $101.05.
Worldwide
United Arab Emirates

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for United Arab Emirates are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United Arab Emirates, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Jan, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 6 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$6.53
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$27.23
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.17
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$10.89
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.89
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.16
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.86
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.06
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.99
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.17
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$10.62
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$5.45
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.26
Apples (1kg)
$1.68
Oranges (1kg)
$1.45
Potato (1kg)
$0.95
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.78
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.41
Tomato (1kg)
$1.07
Banana (1kg)
$1.32
Onion (1kg)
$1.00
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$7.51
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$0.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$33,487.66
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.27
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.68
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.17
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,889.11
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$139.67
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$101.05
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$59.19
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$196.03
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$0.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$13.61
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$55.69
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$81.62
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$86.03
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,539.35
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
4.72%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$589.89
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$5,717.41
Umm Al Quwain Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Umm Al Quwain offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other emirates in the UAE, especially in terms of dining and grocery prices.

Transportation costs are minimal, with low fuel prices and affordable taxi fares, although public transport options are limited.

Housing data is not available, suggesting potential variability in rental and purchase prices, which prospective residents should investigate further.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Umm Al Quwain presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable dining and grocery options.

While transportation is inexpensive, the lack of public transport options may necessitate reliance on personal vehicles or taxis.

Prospective residents should explore housing options thoroughly due to the lack of available data, ensuring they find accommodations that fit their budget and lifestyle.