Cost of Living in Dubai for Indian Students: A Complete Guide to Accommodation, Utilities, Transportation, and More
Learn everything you need to know about Living Cost in Dubai and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
What is the main curiosity when deciding to study abroad? It is the cost of living associated with it, and as studying in Dubai is starting to attract Indian students. Dubai, the world’s most lavish city, is known for its lifestyle and studying there can cost as much as AED 8000-10,000 monthly for each student depending on the choice of accommodation to grocery to other expenses.
Quizzing yourself to know more on this? Then this page is the right place for you! We have covered everything related to cost of living in Dubai from accommodation to utility bills, monthly costs to grocery price list. So let’s get straight into it.
But, before we go, did you know Dubai is considered the best Indian city to live in outside of India?
Cost of Living in Dubai – Housing & Utilities
The most important part of planning your cost of living in Dubai is hunting for accommodation. And, before we tell you the cost of rented homes in Dubai, it is important for Indian students to understand where to stay in Dubai. So, here are your options:
University Admission Department
Online property portals such as bayut.com, propertyfinder.com and dubai.dubizzle.com
Dubai International Academic City
Dubai Knowledge Park
The starting rent of a studio apartment at all these locations is $450 monthly, which is AED 1652. Here is a table showing the various shared room and studio apartment rents in Dubai:
Location | Type of Accommodation | Average Monthly Rent | Average Monthly Rent (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
University Admission Department / On-Campus | Shared rooms in student residences | AED 1,600 - AED 4,000 | INR 37,000 - INR 92,000 |
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) | Shared rooms in private student housing/Studio Apartment | AED 2,000 - AED 4,500 | INR 46,000 - INR 1,03,500 |
Dubai Knowledge Park | Shared room/Studio Apartment | AED 2,200 - AED 4,000 | INR 50,600 - INR 92,000 |
Online Property Portals (e.g., Bayut, Property Finder, Dubizzle) | Shared rooms/bed spaces (in nearby areas like Al Barsha, Deira, Bur Dubai) | AED 800 - AED 3,000 | INR 18,400 - INR 69,000 |
Now, like in India, as part of the cost of living in Dubai, there is an additional cost to accommodation in terms of utilities like electricity, water, gas, and internet. And, unlike in India, Dubai has an additional AC chiller charge. This may or may not be included in your tenancy contract, so it's essential to confirm with the agent before you sign.
Utility Service | Average Monthly Cost (AED) | Average Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity & Water (DEWA) | AED 300 - AED 800 | INR 6,900 - INR 18,400 |
Air Conditioning (Chiller) | AED 0 - AED 600 | INR 0 - INR 13,800 |
Home Internet | AED 300 - AED 400 | INR 6,900 - INR 9,200 |
Mobile Phone | AED 100 - AED 250 | INR 2,300 - INR 5,750 |
Gas | AED 25 - AED 50 | INR 575 - INR 1,150 |
Total (Excluding separate A/C fees) | AED 725 - AED 1,450 | INR 16,675 - INR 33,350 |
Total (Including separate A/C fees) | AED 1,025 - AED 2,050 | INR 23,575 - INR 47,150 |
This estimated cost is based on Dubai Electricity & Water Authority official rates.
Cost of living in Dubai – The daily bills!
The next step on budgeting your cost of living in Dubai is the daily bills like groceries , milk, eggs, lenticals, rice and what not. Now, understanding the supermarket system of a new country can be challenging and that’s why you are here.
Dubai has major supermarket giants like Carrefour, Waitrose, Spinneys, budget-friendly options such as VIVA and for Indian grocery items the best place is LuLu Hypermarket. Here is a table for daily grocery list taken an average from all supermarkets:
Item (Per Unit) | Average Cost in Dubai (AED) | Average Cost in India (INR) |
|---|---|---|
Milk (1 liter) | AED 6 - AED 8 | INR 50 - INR 70 |
White Bread (500g) | AED 5 - AED 7 | INR 25 - INR 40 |
Rice (1 kg) | AED 6 - AED 15 | INR 40 - INR 80 |
Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | AED 20 - AED 40 | INR 150 - INR 250 |
Onions (1 kg) | AED 3 - AED 7 | INR 20 - INR 50 |
Potatoes (1 kg) | AED 3 - AED 6 | INR 20 - INR 50 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | AED 4 - AED 8 | INR 20 - INR 50 |
Bananas (1 kg) | AED 5 - AED 8 | INR 30 - INR 60 |
Eggs (12 pcs) | AED 10 - AED 15 | INR 70 - INR 90 |
After accommodation, the next major bill for Indian students in Dubai is for phone and internet. While you can use your Indian SIM card with international roaming, it's very expensive. The best option is to get a new local SIM card at the airport upon arrival and choose a flexible prepaid plan.
The main providers are Etisalat (e&), Du, and Virgin Mobile. They offer various prepaid plans with no long-term contracts. While there isn't a guaranteed "flat 50% off" for paying annually, providers often offer significant discounts and bonus data for committing to a 6- or 12-month plan. Be sure to check for "Youth Plans" that may offer extra social media data or other perks.
Here's a quick look at the average costs:
Service | Average Monthly Cost (AED) | Average Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
Mobile Prepaid Plan | AED 100 - AED 250 | INR 2,300 - INR 5,750 |
Home Wi-Fi (shared) | AED 300 - AED 400 | INR 6,900 - INR 9,200 |
Pro-Tip: To save money, use the free Wi-Fi at your university library or cafes for study and project work. You can then use your mobile data packs only when needed.
Cost of Living in Dubai - Transportation
Dubai public transportation is state-of-the-art with metro, tram and bus offering amazing discounts for students with ‘The Nol Card’ which is a contactless smart card used all across public transport in Dubai and offers a 50% discount on all public transport fares, including the Metro, buses, and trams.
Eligibility and Cost of Nol Card in Dubai:
It is available for students aged 6-23 enrolled in a UAE university. To apply, students need to show their Emirates ID and an official enrolment letter from their university. The card costs depend on the type of Nol card however blue Nol card is most preferred by the students as it offers additional benefits on museums, amusement parks and other tourist attractions.
Nol Card Type | Upfront Cost (AED | Validity |
|---|---|---|
Red Nol Card | AED 2 | 90 days or 10 trips (whichever comes first) |
Silver Nol Card | AED 25 | 5 years |
Gold Nol Card | AED 25 | 5 years |
Personal (Blue) Nol Card | AED 70 | 5 years |
Cost of living in Dubai vs India
The cost of living in Dubai is definitely a lot costlier than in India. The major expense is for accommodation and groceries. Students can pack major grocery items from their home and can refill with affordable courier services. The cost of internet, transportation and entertainment can be supported with part-time work options in Dubai.
Expense Category | Dubai (Student Budget) | India (Major City) |
|---|---|---|
Rent (Shared Room) | AED 2,000 - AED 4,500 (INR 46k - 103k) | INR 8,000 - INR 20,000 |
Utilities | AED 700 - AED 1,500 (INR 16k - 34k) | INR 2,000 - INR 5,000 |
Groceries | AED 800 - AED 1,500 (INR 18k - 34k) | INR 4,000 - INR 7,000 |
Transportation | AED 70 - AED 250 (INR 1.6k - 5.7k) | INR 500 - INR 2,000 |
Monthly cost of living in Dubai for Indian students
The monthly cost of living for an Indian student in Dubai is an expensive one when compared to India. The significant cost goes into accommodation, groceries and utility bills. varies significantly based on lifestyle and accommodation choices, but it is generally higher than in major Indian cities. The total estimated monthly cost for a single student typically ranges from AED 4,000 to AED 8,000, with the biggest expense being rent.
Expense Category | Average Monthly Cost (AED) | Average Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
Accommodation | AED 4,500 | INR 103,500 |
Utilities | AED 500 - AED 900 | INR 11,500 - INR 20,700 |
| Internet & Mobile | AED 300 - AED 450 | INR 6,900 - INR 10,350 |
Groceries & Food | AED 1,000 - AED 2,000 | INR 23,000 - INR 46,000 |
Transportation | AED 100 - AED 300 | INR 2,300 - INR 6,900 |
Personal & Miscellaneous | AED 800 - AED 1,500 | INR 18,400 - INR 34,500 |
Total Monthly Cost | AED 7,200 - AED 9,650 | INR 165,600 - INR 222,000 |
Note: This cost is based on the minimum expenditure made on a shared apartment and shared utilities bill. The exact cost depends on your individual usage and preference.
Tips for saving money while studying in Dubai
Studying abroad comes at a heavy expense, and as an Indian student, you have to be smart to manage these expenses all while you are living away from home on your own. Here are a few tips that can help you save some money while studying in Dubai:
While picking up the accommodation, choose a chiller-free accommodation to avoid extra electricity costs in your monthly bill.
Always speak to a university admission counsellor or locals to find an affordable neighbourhood that will help you save on monthly rent.
Make use of university wifi and food services to their maximum to cut personnel expenses.
Always check the university portal for student discounts and carry your student ID card to avail these discounts at every spot, like grocery stores, apparel stores, movies and more.
You can ask for care packages from home when someone is travelling from India or use affordable courier services for basic groceries.
While the cost of living in Dubai can seem overwhelming, it's manageable with a smart budget and local knowledge. Remember, your educational expenses are an investment in a future with high earning potential. With opportunities for part-time work, you can help support your costs. Plan your budget wisely, and to get expert guidance, speak with an AECC counsellor today.