I would like the most recent information on cost of living in Dubai,
specifically for housing if available. Any comparisions from previous
years is helpful. The purposes of my inquiry are to determine if any
applicable increases for housing are or will be necessary there.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 20 Mar 2005 07:22 PST

According to information available at realtors.com, the current
overall cost of living in Dubai is 26% higher than in Washington DC:


http://www.homefair.com/homefair/servlet/ActionServlet?pid=246&previousPage=245&cid=homefair&fromSalary=&fromCity=756&toCity=651


The data come from the highly-respected Center for Mobility Resources,
which is a well-known supplier of cost-of-living data.

However, there are no breakdowns of costs, e.g. housing vs food.


Let me know if that meets your needs.  And if not, what additional
sorts of information would make for a complete answer to your
question?

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by 56044-ga on 20 Mar 2005 13:18 PST

Hi

Generally, reports from Dubai are stating large increases in living
costs, specifically for rents for housing. I need to get a sense of
recent (from June -3 to present) spikes, possibly from reports of
rental agents or business councils. Thx

Dubai - Cost of Living

Cost of Living The cost of living is relatively high in Dubai, and
those seeking work are advised to try and obtain employment packages
that include a housing allowance.

One-litre bottle of mineral water:
Dh 1.5 from supermarket, approx Dh 10 in hotel

33cl bottle of beer:
Dh18 (only available in tourist hotels, restaurants and bars)

Financial Times newspaper: From Dh 10

36-exposure colour film: Dh 26

City-centre bus ticket: Dh 1-3.5

Rugby 7s ticket: From Dh 200

Three-course meal with beverage: Dh 110



1 United Arab Emirates Dirham (Dh1) equals:
£0.15; US$0.27; C$0.35; A$0.35; ?0.21

Currency conversion rates as of Jan 2004
----------------
UAE MACROECONOMIC DATA AND FORECASTS
 
	2001
	2002e*
	2003 f*
Nominal GDP (US $ billion)
	67.8
	68.4
	70.5
Real GDP growth (% year on year)
	3.5
	1.8
	3.9
GDP per capita (US $ thousands)
	18.9
	18.4
	18.1
Current account balance as a % of GDP
	5.52
	4.06
	4.44
Inflation expressed as a %
	4.0
	4.0
	4.0
Unemployment expressed as a %
	N/A
	N/A
	N/A
For-ex reserves (US $ billion)
	13.6
	14.0
	9.30
Exchange rate (AED/US $)
	3.671
	3.671
	3.671
Debt service ratio (%)
	5.7
	5.9
	5.0
USG economic assistance, if applicable
	N/A
	N/A
	N/A
Population (millions)
	3.2
	3.8
	3.9
Cost of living index (% annual avg.)
	(2001)    2.3
	(2003e*)  2.5
        (2003 f*) 3.0
 
Note:  Above numbers are (e*) estimates and (f*) forecasts        
           &n bsp;                       & nbsp;                      
& nbsp;
Sources: Ministry of Economy & Commerce, IMF, US Census Bureau, Middle East Monitor

source http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inimr-ri.nsf/en/gr120156e.html

hope that helps

Hi

Generally, reports from Dubai are stating large increases in living
costs, specifically for rents for housing. I need to get a sense of
recent (from June -3 to present) spikes, possibly from reports of
rental agents or business councils. Thx

hi
 its the same as new york city this year.

It is true that in last one year there is a minimum 20% to 30%
increase in rent in UAE, and mainly in Dubai. The advantage in Dubai
is there are many levels of hotels available. a Studio flat in Dubai
cheapest may cost from 25-30 Thousand AED ( Aprox 8000 US$) and a 2
bedroom with hall central AC may be around 50-60+, this cost is very
much varied from places to place and building to buildings including
the facilities you need. There are cheep places also you can get if
you search around.

Food as I seen a comment 3 course may cost 110 or even higher but I
don't think any one will go to that big hotels daily. A KFC snack box
may cost 10 AED and unlimited food in KFC or Pizza Hut on Lunch time
may cost 8 - 10 US$

Pepsi will cost a Can 1 AED ( Aprox 30 cents) and a beer can get from
10 -20 AED depends on hotels to hotels, and if you have a permit ( it
is available for non Muslim residents) for 5 AED ( Calculate 1 US$ =
3.68 AED)

The costliest is the Accommodation, other than that food is not too
costly and you have any options for any type of food is there, if you
cook yourself it is very economical , yes there are many 5 and 7 star
hotels charges very high but there are cheep descent food and
accommodation also available.

Regards