- Housing
- Transport
- Grocery
- Schooling
- Entertainment
- Utilities
- FAQs
Dubai is best known around the world for its towering skyscrapers, luxury cars and overall lavish lifestyle, so it may come as a surprise to some that living on a budget here is possible too! If your priority is to save money for the future and you’re looking for ways to be more careful with your daily expenses, here’s our guide on how to live in Dubai on a budget.
TIPS FOR HOW TO LIVE IN DUBAI ON A BUDGET
Whether you’re looking to cut down expenses on grocery shopping or monthly rent, our tips may come in handy.
Lets take a look at the various essential expenses in Dubai for most residents and see how you can reduce your spending in these areas.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY IN DUBAI IN HOUSING
Housing remains one of the biggest financial outlays for residents in the emirate. One way to control the cost of living in Dubai on a budget is to keep an eye on your monthly rent.
There are several affordable places to live in Dubai that offer all the lifestyle amenities one could want for a comfortable life. It is a good way to live cheaply in Dubai.
LOOK FOR AN AFFORDABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD
While Dubai certainly has its share of luxurious and dreamy properties, tenants on a tighter budget can find affordable places to live in Dubai.
You need to focus your house search on the areas where you can live on a budget in Dubai. Some of the most popular areas to rent cheap apartments in Dubai include International City where the starting rent of 1-bed flats is currently AED 35k per annum. Rest assured that communities like these still have essential amenities such as supermarkets, pharmacies and salons nearby.
A good way to make sure you don’t exceed your rental budget is to find out the best areas to live in Dubai based on salary. However, make sure you consider the distance and travelling cost from the property you are considering to your workplace or your child’s school. You don’t want to end up spending the money saved from lower rent on daily travel arrangements.
SHARE AN APARTMENT LEGALLY
If you’re a singleton living in the emirate, one of the practical ways to lead a budget lifestyle in Dubai is to share an apartment with a flat mate. However, bear in mind that there are strict rules for sharing accommodation in Dubai, which you must abide by to stay on the right side of the law.
TRANSPORT
Residents can also use the following tips to cut down expenses on transport and save money in Dubai.
LIVE CLOSE TO YOUR WORKPLACE / CHILDREN’S SCHOOL
One of the best ways to manage the cost of living in Dubai on a budget is by renting close to your workplace and/or children’s school. By living close to the places you frequently visit, you can significantly reduce your day-to-day transport expenses.
You can use our innovative tools such as Search 2.0 feature on Bayut, which allows you to search for available homes near your points of interest. If you’re a parent, living near your child’s school not only cuts down on commute time but can also help you save on transport fees. Visit our School Guides to find the best residential areas near popular schools in Dubai.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN DUBAI
Dubai boasts a wide public transport network with buses, ferries, metro and trams, which allow residents to commute in a safe and affordable manner. Using public transport is one of the top tips for living on a budget in Dubai. A trip on the Dubai Metro, which connects most of the city’s major landmarks and districts, can cost you as little as AED 3.
A monthly NOL pass that allows the use public transport in Dubai will only set you back a very reasonable AED 300 to AED 350 each month. You can also look for a property located close to a metro station in Dubai. It may be slightly more expensive but you might also end up saving money on travelling. A cost-benefit analysis of such factors can help you take the right step.
USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO AVOID ROAD TOLLS
If you own a car, you’ll be familiar with Salik in Dubai. However, if you’re looking for tips on living on a budget and don’t mind a longer commute, you can use alternative roads to avoid paying the toll fee.
Use the ‘Avoid Tolls’ option on Google Maps to find routes that don’t have Salik toll gates. These include Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). Dubai Creek crossings like Al Shindagha Tunnel are also toll free. Some Salik gates are free during certain times of the day so motorists on a budget may consider accommodating travel hours during them.
GROCERY
Wondering how to incur the minimum cost of living in Dubai when it comes to food? There are several ways that residents can be more prudent with their monthly grocery shopping.
SHOP AT AFFORDABLE SUPERMARKETS
If you have a strict monthly budget, you can purchase quality yet affordable products from cheap grocery stores in Dubai such as West Zone, Nesto Hypermarket and Union Cooperative. Some supermarket chains like Carrefour and Lulu also offer competitive pricing and a wide variety of products.
Many of the larger supermarkets have loyalty programmes such as Carrefour’s SHARE, which allow you to earn and redeem points on your grocery shopping. You can also keep an eye out for bundle offers and special discounts at these supermarkets in Dubai, often communicated through their social media channels.
Shopping at the 1 to 10 dirham shops in Dubai is also a good option for the frugal resident.
BUY LOCAL
For those looking to save money on food in Dubai, a handy tip is to buy local and in-season produce as much as possible. You can also cut down your monthly grocery bill by limiting imported food items and expensive cuts of meat to occasional purchases.
SCHOOLING
As children’s tuition fees account for a large chunk of a family’s monthly expenditure, it’s worth checking out ways to reduce spending in Dubai when it comes to schooling.
As a general rule of thumb, Indian curriculum schools in Dubai tend to be cheaper than other curriculums. You can also take a look at cheap schools in Dubai. A lower fee doesn’t necessarily mean lower standard of education, because all schools have to adhere to the KHDA’s guidelines.
If you have more than one school-going child, then make sure to ask about the sibling discounts on tuition fees. For instance, the fee discounts at GEMS schools reach up to 25% for the third and fourth siblings. Some schools also have a partnership with certain banks that can entitle you to a tuition fee discount.
ENTERTAINMENT
While it’s tempting to spend the weekend enjoying brunches, spa treatments and luxury staycations, it’s entirely possible to have fun in Dubai without spending too much!
LOOK FOR FREE OR BUDGET-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI
Visiting lush green parks, soaking up the sun at the beach and catching some funky street art – there are plenty of pocket-friendly activities and some of the best places to visit in Dubai for free to keep you busy over the weekends. Instead of splurging on an expensive meal at a restaurant, why not enjoy a budget-friendly BBQ at the park with friends?
Dubai’s beautiful outdoor venues are also perfect for those looking to stay active on a tight budget, especially during the cool weather.
USE A DISCOUNT APP
If you do enjoy going out to eat or trying new activities in the city, it’s a good idea to use the popular discount apps in Dubai to save a few bucks. For instance, apps such as The Entertainer are great for those keen on living in Dubai on a budget, with buy-one-get-one offers at restaurants, salons, attractions and more!
Families may also consider visiting Dubai restaurants where kids eat for free to enjoy a delicious meal whilst saving a few bucks.
BUY AIRLINE TICKETS IN ADVANCE
Wondering how to live on a budget in Dubai? A well-planned holiday can allow you to enjoy a relaxing trip without denting your wallet too much. Make sure to book your flight tickets a couple of months in advance to snag the best airfares. Avoiding travel during peak seasons will also save you considerable air fare. Travelling via budget airlines in the UAE such as flydubai and Air Arabia is also a great way to save money on air tickets.
UTILITIES
For those looking for ways to lower the living cost in Dubai for family, there are some additional steps to ensure your electricity bill doesn’t exceed your budget.
CONSIDER RENTING A CHILLER-FREE APARTMENT
With Dubai’s hot climate, air-conditioning costs can run high, especially during the summer season. However, those looking for a budget lifestyle in Dubai can choose to rent chiller-free apartments in Dubai. In such cases, the landlord bears the cost of the A/C or chiller. Some of the popular areas to rent chiller-free flats are JVC and Al Nahda.
TAKE SIMPLE STEPS TO SAVE ENERGY
You can also read up on our dedicated guide on how to reduce DEWA bills in Dubai to lower your monthly costs. For instance, install energy-efficient lights in your home and make sure to service your air-conditioner frequently.
CHOOSE COST-EFFECTIVE HOME INTERNET PACKAGES
When choosing home internet packages in Dubai, it’s important to do your research beforehand and look for promotions and bundle options, which can help you save money in the long run. You can also lower costs by choosing a basic TV package. A basic package will only include the channels you regularly watch, instead of opting for a premium package that you don’t make use of.
It is helpful to download a free internet calling app in the UAE to connect with your loved ones in your home country.
FAQs About How to Live in Dubai on a Budget
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN DUBAI?
This can vary significantly based on your lifestyle and requirements. As per our guide to the cost of living in Dubai, the minimum monthly expenses for a single person to live in Dubai range from AED 3k to AED 7k. This can reach up to AED 11k for a couple and AED 26k for a family of four people.
IS FOOD EXPENSIVE IN DUBAI?
The price for a meal in Dubai will largely depend on where you eat. For instance, a meal for one at an affordable restaurant in Dubai can cost you between AED 35 to AED 45. On the other hand, the price for two people eating out at a fine-dining restaurant can range from AED 500 to AED 1,000. It all depends on how much can you afford to spend.
WHERE CAN I RENT CHEAP 1-BED APARTMENTS IN DUBAI?
Some of the cheapest areas to rent 1-BHK flats in the emirate include Al Nahda and Deira.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN DUBAI?
If you’d like to know more about how to live in Dubai on a budget read our guide on the basic cost of living in Dubai. It’ll give you an approximate idea of living within your means in the emirate, depending on the size of your family. This includes everything from groceries to housing and more.
Use these tips to reduce your monthly costs and stick to your monthly budget!
For those who don’t mind a longer commute, moving to a neighbouring emirate such as Sharjah or Ajman is also an ideal option to save on rental costs. Take a look at some of the popular areas to rent flats in Sharjah or the best residential neighbourhoods in Ajman.
