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Everything you need to know before your move from South Africa to Dubai!
Excellent jobs, a reasonable cost of living, high-quality education, and healthcare make Dubai a favourite among international migrants. Located quite centrally between Asia and Europe, the city has become an essential part of the global trade mechanism. The culture here is globally recognized for its warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage.
But if it is your first time living in the Middle East, you may find the way of life quite different from the Western world. You’ll also need to be prepared for life in the desert – from sandstorms to temperatures of up to 48°C, life in Dubai is not without its challenges.
We try to answer burning questions on a potential move to Dubai. Be it things like what renting a 1-bedroom apartment would cost me and even how can I get the best exchange rate?
Wise helps you send money back home at the mid-market rate to South Africa⁴ using Wise – a great bank alternative for international money transfers!
How expensive is Dubai in comparison to South Africa
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a new-age metropolis with a diverse culture and rapidly growing infrastructure. Globally renowned for its futuristic approach, it has been pushing boundaries for what’s achievable with the tallest building in the world and its heavy investment in futuristic technologies. But being 4,000 miles away from home for an extended period may make you miss the sense of community and belonging.
Fortunately, there is a sizeable community of South African expats in the UAE, with around 50,000 living in Dubai alone5. The overall cost of living in Dubai in terms of consumer prices is approximately 79.5% higher than in cities like Cape Town in South Africa6. The sections below break down significant costs of living to help you understand if moving to Dubai is the right choice for you.
The currency in Dubai
The UAE Dirham is the official currency used in Dubai, which is a major city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is also sometimes referred to as the Emirati Dirham, and its official abbreviation is AED. You can find the exact value of your rands in comparison to dirhams using our online currency converter.
Understanding exchange rates can be tricky. Some banks and services promise the best rates, but hidden costs lurk in the fine print. How do you stay protected?
Send money to South Africa using the mid-market exchange rate
As a bank alternative, Wise can help South African expats save money¹ when making international payments to South Africa.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
While some banks support international payments, they usually add a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate for this transaction that customers end up paying.
Wise uses the mid-market rate for international payments and only applies a small transparent fee to make an international payment¹.
This means that with Wise, South African expats could save money¹ when making overseas transactions.
Cost of living in Dubai vs. South Africa
While living costs in Dubai are considered affordable compared with other major cities like New York and Shanghai, accommodation prices in the city centre are increasing and are even approaching near London prices. The city currently ranks 18thon Mercer’s list for most expensive cities to live in7.
In the following sections, we break down significant costs like rent, transport, leisure, and healthcare to prepare you for a whirlwind experience in the desert.
Rental costs in Dubai
Rents in the UAE, especially Dubai, have been at an all-time high. As per recent data published by Bayut, rentals for affordable apartments in Dubai’s famous districts have increased by up to 17 percent, while the cost of renting luxury apartments appreciated by up to 32 percent. Rents rose in areas such as the Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, JVC, and many more that are known to be popular choices for expats8.
The following table breaks down rents to better explain the cost of living for bachelors as well as the cost of living for a family of 4.
Average rental costs in Dubai
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Dubai6 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | AED 7,350.63 (R37,652.74) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | AED 4,297.42 (R22,013.03) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | AED 14,398.48 (R73,754.48) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | AED 9,620.63 (R49,280.53) |
Cost of groceries in Dubai
Dubai is well-known for its luxury living, and if that’s the lifestyle you’re looking for, they have several premium stores like Waitrose or Spinney’s that sell imported food items and exotic meats. However, there are also several affordable options available to shop from, including Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, and Union Cooperative. The average grocery bill for a couple is approximately AED 1100, while it could be over AED 2400 for a family of 49. Prices could be higher if you choose to shop at premium stores.
Average cost of groceries in Dubai
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Dubai6 |
|---|---|
| Bread | AED 5.71 (R29.26) |
| Milk | AED 6.89 (R35.28) |
| Eggs | AED 11.40 (R58.41) |
| Cheese | AED 47.00 (R240.77) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | AED 30.73 (R157.39) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | AED 60.00 (R307.34) |
Transport costs in Dubai
Driving is the most common way of getting around Dubai, and petrol prices are much cheaper here than in many cities in the world. However, the car you drive and the distance of your daily commute will dictate these costs. If you want to save money and use public transport, the city boasts a well-connected network of buses, taxis, and ferries, as well as the Dubai Metro. You can choose to buy the Nol card that helps you navigate the city’s public transport system with ease9.
| Ticket type | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Dubai6 | AED 7.00 (R35.86) |
| Monthly transport pass in Dubai6 | AED 300.00 (R1,536.71) |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 6 | AED 12.00 (R61.47) |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 6 | AED 3.00 (R15.37) |
| Gasoline (1 liter) 6 | AED 3.17 (R16.25) |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 6 | AED 110,000.00 (R 563,461.93) |
Eating out in Dubai
The city is a melting pot of cultures, and eating out spoils you for choice. Restaurants here serve almost every global cuisine, including Dubai’s Arabic delights. But how does this impact your overall budget? Check out the table below:
Average meal costs in Dubai6
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | AED 40.00 (R204.90) |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | AED 250.00 (R1,280.60) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | AED 35.00 (R179.28) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | AED 20.24 (R103.70) |
Study costs in Dubai
Moving with children requires you to factor in school fees while calculating your monthly cost of living in Dubai. British, American, Indian, and IB schools are popular choices among parents. Fees are considerably higher, approximately AED 4,500 – AED 11,500, depending on grade of study in British, American, and IB schools. Indian schools are a much more affordable option, priced between AED 2,900 and AED 5,5009.
If you’re looking to move to Dubai for higher education, it is home to campuses of over 60 world-renowned universities and offers excellent opportunities for undergraduate and post-graduate studies. These include campuses of universities such as the University of Birmingham, Murdoch University, Middlesex University, Canada University, and many more.
Popular courses studied here include hospitality management, business studies, engineering, and architecture. Tuition for these courses is approximately AED 50,000 per year, and there are also several scholarship options available10.
What is the average salary in Dubai?
Salaries vary widely in Dubai but depend mainly on your qualifications, specialization, and even negotiation skills. The city does not have minimum wage rates or standardized salaries, and the pay is very similar to that received in Western countries. The median wage in the city is currently at AED 14,865 (R 76,049) a month11. The table below discusses the salaries for popular jobs in the city.
*All salaries are mentioned in USD $
Average salaries in Dubai
| Designation | Average salary in Dubai11 |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $152,765 |
| Physician | $71,395 |
| Project Manager | $78,029 |
| UX Designer | $86,576 |
| Accountant | $46,790 |
| Data Analyst | $38,462 |
| Content Marketer | $58,249 |
| Nurse | $23,381 |
| Teacher | $35,358 |
With Wise, you can easily send money back home to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rates at no extra or hidden costs. You can use our online currency calculator to find out the current exchange rate from AED to ZAR.
What about healthcare costs in Dubai?
Health or medical insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Dubai and is a significant cost while calculating your cost of living in Dubai. If you are being sponsored by the company you are employed at, they need to provide you with health insurance. They may sometimes cover your family’s health insurance as well.
Premiums for the insurance plans vary based on coverage and are approximately AED 600 for basic plans while complete coverage can cost upto AED 5,500 annually9.
If your employer, or your spouse’s employer, does not offer health insurance coverage, you must apply for a health card that offers basic health care coverage. This is similar to what Emirati nationals get with the publicly funded system.
If you wish to take advantage of public hospitals and other clinics, you need a health card, even if you have purchased private insurance. Private policies may not cover every treatment, and it is sometimes more accessible and affordable to receive care from a government hospital or clinic.
Health Card fees based on age12:
· 0–9 years 100 AED (27 USD) · 10–17 years 200 AED (54 USD) · 18 years+ 300 AED (82 USD)So, there you have it—Dubai, the city of dreams and desert extremes! With fantastic job opportunities and a world-class health system, the city offers all you want and more. But the rising costs of rent could pose a significant issue for some, giving you enough food for thought on the planned move. We’ve done our bit to provide you with enough insight into what entails living here and also simplified the process of sending money to South Africa using Wise at the mid-market exchange rate³.
But the most important question still remains – Habibi, will you come to Dubai?
Sources:
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
- Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system and may not be available for all transactions.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- South Africans in Dubai
- Cost of living Dubai vs Cape Town
- Most Expensive cities in the world
- Rents in Dubai
- Cost of living in Dubai
- University fees in Dubai
- Salaries in Dubai
- Healthcare in Dubai
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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