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Cost of Living in Dubai for Indian and International Students 2025
Edited By Piyush Kohli | Updated on Nov 20, 2024 05:07 PM IST
Is it expensive to live in Dubai? Yes, the cost of living in Dubai 2025 is relatively higher when compared with a few other popular student destinations. The overall cost of living in Dubai for students 2025 is approximately AED 4,075 per month without rent. On average the overall cost of living in Dubai for Indian students is 163.0% more expensive than in major Indian cities such as Delhi (without rent). On the other hand, the accommodation cost in Dubai for international students is AED 5,000+. Rent in Dubai is 558.6% higher than in major cities such as Delhi according to Numbeo. The exact living expenses in Dubai 2025 vary from one person to another as per the personal choices, lifestyles, and luxuries chosen. Some of the factors contributing to the cost of living in Dubai for Indian students include accommodation, transportation, food & groceries, books, leisure, miscellaneous, and more.
This Story also Contains
- Cost of Living in Dubai 2025: Overview
- Cost of studying in Dubai for Indian students 2025
- Cost of Living in Dubai For Indian Students 2025
- Accommodation Expenses in Dubai 2025
- Food Expenses in Dubai for Indians
- Cost of Transportation in Dubai 2025
- Health Insurance in Dubai for Indian Students
- Miscellaneous Expenses in Dubai for International Students
- How to Reduce the Cost of Living in Dubai?
- Cost of living in Dubai vs India 2025
Dubai is a global business hub with a stable economy that is known for its strong international hub for work with many job opportunities, especially in Oil and Gas sector. It is one of the reasons that students are attracted towards this country despite the high cost of living in Dubai per year. So, one planning to study in Dubai must plan their living expenses in Dubai before enrolling on the course. This gives you the required budget necessary during your study or work in Dubai. Generally, the tuition fees in top universities in Dubai 2025 is also a major concern for prospective international students. In Dubai, undergraduate tuition costs between 37,500 and 70,000 AED annually, while postgraduate tuition costs between 55,000 and 75,000 AED annually. Hence, students budgeting their finances for living expenses in Dubai 2025 must keep in mind the tuition fees and other costs.
Dubai a city in the United Arab Emirates is mostly known for its luxurious hotels, diverse cultural experience, infrastructure development, and technological advances. With the presence of globally ranked universities in the city, many international students prefer to study in Dubai for its education quality and wide range of educational programmes. Students planning to study in Dubai can check the details of the average living expenses in Dubai in this article. Let's first delve into the highlights of what we have covered in the article:
Cost of Living in Dubai 2025: Overview
Particulars | Monthly Expenses (In AED) | Monthly Expenses (In INR) |
Accommodation | 2,700 -7,000 | 61,000 - 1.5 lakhs |
Food and Groceries | 1500 - 2000 | 33,000 - 45,000 |
Utilities (Gas and Electricity) | 100 - 200 | 2,200 - 4,500 |
Public Transportation | 100 - 300 | 2,200 - 6,700 |
Health insurance | 50 - 200 | 1,100 - 4,500 |
Mobile & Internet | 160 | 3,600 |
Miscellaneous | 100 - 290 | 2,200 - 6,500 |
The above mentioned costs are the average cost of living in Dubai for students. The exact will differ.
Cost of studying in Dubai for Indian students 2025
The exact tuition fees in Dubai universities tend to differ as per the educational university, level of study, and the chosen course. However, the approximate study in Dubai fees are 37,500 to 70,000 AED per annum for an undergraduate degree and 55,000 to 75,000 AED annually for a postgraduate degree. One must note that tuition fees are one of the major components while budgeting for the cost of living in Dubai for international students. Here are the top 5 universities in Dubai along with their tuition fees in the table below:
Cost of studying in Dubai Universities 2025:
Universities | Average tuition fees per annum |
American University of Sharjah | ₹ 22.84 L |
Abu Dhabi University | ₹ 9.65 L - 53.42 L |
BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus | ₹ 7.26 L - 10.66 L |
Westford University College | ₹ 3.86 L - 8.17 L |
Amity University, Dubai Campus | ₹ 3.15 L - 14.61 L |
Cost of Living in Dubai For Indian Students 2025
Considering international students, the living expenses in Dubai for a single person per month is around AED 5000 to 8000. While living here in Dubai, the primary expenditure in the cost of living in Dubai for international students would be the tuition fee and accommodation.
The rent in Dubai for Indians is an average of 200% to 600% higher than in Indian cities. Whereas, the tuition fee in top Dubai universities ranges from Rs. 9 lakhs to 16 lakhs per annum. Even though every individual lifestyle is different, you can have a basic estimate of your budget while living in diving in Dubai by checking the below-mentioned details.
Accommodation Expenses in Dubai 2025
International students can choose either on-campus and off-campus accommodations in Dubai. There are multiple options in housing like single bedrooms, shared rooms, studio apartments, rental flats, villas, etc.
On-campus Accommodation: The on-campus accommodation must be booked in advance to decrease the cost of living in Dubai for single person. Choosing this option can be very useful for new students who are studying for their first year in Dubai. As the on-campus accommodation comes with furnished rooms, there will be less initial settling costs for students. The monthly on-campus accommodation cost in Dubai can range from 2700 to 7000 AED per month.
Off-Campus Accommodation: You can choose the off-campus accommodation based on your choice of facilities. If you wish to stay in your preferred locality or some locations that are nearer to malls supermarkets and entertainment zones, then the rent can be increased based on your location. The off-campus accommodations in Dubai will avail you with various budgets ranging from 2,700 to 10,000 per month.
Food Expenses in Dubai for Indians
As the accommodations are offered with separate or shared kitchens, students can choose to cook their own meals for their daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. The on-campus housing avails with dining facilities and meal plans for the students which come at a decent price. The campus lunch meals in the Dubai universities can range from about AED 300 per month. If one prefers to cook on their own, they can check out the grocery cost in Dubai. The expenses for the food in Dubai are AED 8-10 per grocery.
If you consider eating outside the campus, an average meal in a top restaurant will cost about 200 AED to 600 AED for one or two persons. Well on the budget side, you can find a meal at 20 to 50 AED in the street food stalls and courts, etc. Food cost of living in Dubai for international students is solely depend on the food choices of individuals.
Cost of Transportation in Dubai 2025
The different modes of transportation available in Dubai are metro, tram, bus, taxis, marine transport, etc. Public transportation is a convenient way to travel around in Dubai. If you are a frequent user, then you can choose for a personal NOL card as the payment can not be done via cash for public transport. Check the table below to know about the various transportation costs.
Transportation Cost in Dubai for Students
Particulars | Cost in AED |
Metro Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 70 - 350 |
Taxi fare | 3.75 per km |
Health Insurance in Dubai for Indian Students
Medical insurance is one of the essential expenses to consider in the cost of living in Dubai for internationational students. Through this insurance, students will be allowed to receive medical care and consult a doctor in doctors. Based on the insurance plan you choose and the facilities included, the cost will be different. For international students, the cost-effective medical insurance plan can be around 100 to 200 AED per month.
Miscellaneous Expenses in Dubai for International Students
Additionally, the cost of living in Dubai also includes a few other miscellaneous expenses like books, entertainment expenditures, personal health, body care, and initial house settling costs which are variable as per the requirements of students. All these expenses contribute to the average cost of living for Indian students.
How to Reduce the Cost of Living in Dubai?
As Dubai is an expensive city to live in, you can check out a few tips mentioned below that reduce your average living expenses in Dubai.
Work for part-time jobs: As an international student, you can work for part-time during your study period and earn a decent amount of money in Dubai.
Budget monthly expenses: Creating a monthly budget is a great start this means sticking to buying what is needed and not overspending on unnecessary things, which helps in understanding the total cost of living in Dubai for indian students.
Use apps to buy food on offers: You can get amazing discounts by uying food online. Few apps you can use are Uber Eats, Talabat, and Noon Food.
Find thrift stores to buy reasonable clothes: The best way to save on cash is to buy clothes from thrift stores and secondhand clothing stores to stay stylish and save money.
Stay in an affordable apartment: Look for an apartment or student housing that fits your budget. You can also share your room or flat to save your living costs in Dubai.
Reduce unwanted utility bills: Refrain from buying electronics with high voltage power to reduce electricity bills.
Use public transportation: Public transportation is an affordable way of commuting anywhere in Dubai. Students can purchase the NoL card to avail of discounts on ticket fares. Get your card pre-filled card to avoid fines. YOu can use the free bus shuttle services offered by malls in popular tourist destinations.
Cost of living in Dubai vs India 2025
The cost of living in India and in Dubai vary very much. Dubai is approximately 163.0% more expensive than major Indian cities without accommodation expenses. The rent in Dubai is 558.6% higher than in major Indian cities. This shows that cost of living in Dubai for international students is quite expensive. Here is the table analysis of the average living expenses in Dubai and India.
Expense List | Costs per month (India) | Costs per month (Dubai) |
Accommodation (1-bedroom) | Rs 19,000 approx | AED 5000 |
Food | Rs 8,000 approx | AED 2000 |
Transportation | Rs 1,200 approx | AED 300 |
Utility Bills | Rs 3,500 approx | AED 1,000 |
Miscellaneous | Rs 2000 approx | AED 800-1,000 |
This is just the approximate cost of living in Dubai vs India; the exact will differ as per personal preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How expensive is to live in Dubai?
The cost of living in Dubai for one person is around Rs. 1.1 to 1.8 lakh per month. For families with single or two children, the average monthly living expenses in Dubai can range from around AED 7000 to AED 8000.
2. How much is the rent in Dubai per month?
The on-campus accommodation rate starts from 2,700 AED to 7,000 AED per month. The off-campus accommodation range also starts from AED 2,700 per month and can increase up to AED 10,000 per month.
3. What salary do I need to live in Dubai?
A salary of AED 10,000 to 20,000 is considered a decent amount required to live in Dubai. As the living expenses start from AED 5000, the earned salary will be good enough for savings or for any extra expenditure.
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Hello Dear,
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Good Luck
harshitasharansrivastava 10 February,2021
Hi
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