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Cost of Living in Dubai for Indian and International Students 2025
Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Feb 03, 2025 12:28 PM IST
Is living in Dubai expensive? Yes, compared to a few other popular destinations for students, the cost of living in Dubai 2025 is relatively more expensive. The living costs in Dubai 2025 for students, for example, would amount to AED 4,075 on average per month without including the rent. On average the overall cost of living in Dubai for Indian students is 163.0% more expensive compared to major cities in India such as Delhi, without rent. On the contrary, the rental cost in Dubai for international students is AED 5,000+. The exact living costs in Dubai 2025 are different for different people as they depend on personal choices, lifestyles, and luxuries. The cost of living in Dubai for Indian students would include accommodation, transportation, food & groceries, books, leisure, miscellaneous, and many 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
- Cost of Utilities and Internet in Dubai
- 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 the Oil and Gas sector. It is one of the reasons that students are attracted to 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 in 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 are 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.
Cost of Living in Dubai 2025: Overview
Particulars | Monthly Expenses (In AED) | Monthly Expenses (In INR) |
Accommodation | 2,700 -7,000 | 63,000 - 1.65 lakhs |
Food and Groceries | 1500 - 2000 | 35,000 - 48,000 |
Utilities (Gas and Electricity) | 100 - 200 | 2,300 - 4,800 |
Public Transportation | 100 - 300 | 2,300 - 7,100 |
Health insurance | 50 - 200 | 1,100 - 4,800 |
Mobile & Internet | 160 | 3,770 |
Miscellaneous | 100 - 290 | 2,300 - 6,835 |
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 is 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:
| Top Universities in Dubai | Cost of Studying in Dubai(Annually) | |
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | |
| University of Dubai | AED 37,500–70,000 | AED 55,000–75,000 |
| American University in Dubai | AED 37,500-70,000 | AED 85,000 |
| British University in Dubai | AED 37,500-70,000 | AED 85,000 |
| Heriot-Watt University Dubai | AED 60,000- 70,000 | AED 50,000-150,000 |
| University of Wollongong in Dubai | AED 58,000 | AED 57,583-70,000 |
Cost of Living in Dubai For Indian Students 2025
Considering international students, the living expenses in Dubai for a single person per month are 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 or 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 a 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 provide you with various budgets ranging from 2,700 to 10,000 AED per month.
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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. The food cost in Dubai for international students solely depends on the food choices of individuals.
Refer to the table below for an idea regarding the different approximate costs involved for the food and groceries in Dubai.
| Groceries Items | Approx. Cost |
| Milk (1L) | AED 6.5 |
| Bread (0.5kg) | AED 5.47 |
| Rice (1kg) | AED 7.9 |
| Eggs (12) | AED 11.9 |
| Cheese (1kg) | AED 40.4 |
| Apples (1kg) | AED 8.74 |
| Banana (1kg) | AED 6.87 |
| Oranges (1kg) | AED 6.94 |
| Tomato (1kg) | AED 6.06 |
| Potato (1kg) | AED 4.63 |
| Onion (1kg) | AED 5.58 |
| Water (1L) | AED 1.51 |
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 a personal NOL card as the payment can not be done via cash for public transport. Check the table below to learn about the various transportation costs.
Transportation Cost in Dubai for Students
| Transportation | Cost |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 7.00 AED |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 309.00 AED |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 12.00 AED |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 3.00 AED |
| Taxi Ride (8km) | 40.76 AED |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 3.01 AED |
Cost of Utilities and Internet in Dubai
Utility costs are a significant part of the budgeting for living expenses in Dubai for international students. In addition to rent, utility costs such as electricity, heating, cooling, and internet services can add up to the cost of living in Dubai. The utility bill may vary depending on the size of your accommodation, usage habits, and the efficiency of appliances. Here is the compilation of necessities.
| Utilities and Internet | Cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 1 person | AED 481.10 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | AED 204.10 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | AED 365.53 |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | AED 280 |
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 international 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. Including occasional social outings and impulse purchases, your monthly budget should include at least AED 8,000 (INR 1.88 L) for a basic lifestyle.
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 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 buying food online. A 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 the 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 according to personal preferences.
Also Read:
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.
4. How much income is required to live in Dubai?
A salary range of AED 10,000 to 20,000 is considered a decent amount to live in Dubai. As the cost of living expenses starts from AED 5000, the earned salary will be pretty decent for savings and extra expenditure.
5. Is Dubai expensive for Indian students?
Yes, Dubai can be costly for Indian students. Dubai is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and the cost of living varies with many factors. However, there are scholarships and financial aid options available to help students.
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Mar 01, 2025
Mar 01, 2025
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Hello Dear,
If a candidate wanted to take admission to an MBA program in Dubai, he should have relevant work experience of 2-4 years depending upon the program. The academic requirement for admission to study in UAE includes scores of English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Students applying to study in UAE for MBA programmes are required to have good scores in GMAT. For detailed information you can visit the link:
Good Luck
harshitasharansrivastava 10 February,2021
Hi
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Disha Arora 23 July,2020
Hello Aspirant,
You are not eligible to sit for this exam because first you are a foreigner and second this exam eligibility criteria says that the student must be an Indian National.
I hope you have got your answer.
Good Luck
Md Azmer 23 February,2020
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