Cost of Living Comparison Dubai vs Canada
When understanding how the cost of living in Dubai differs from the cost of living in such major Canadian cities as Toronto and Montreal, it would be necessary to take into account the expenses to cover housing, transportation, food and other expenses related to the level of living. This will give a clear understanding on how people’s living conditions in these two areas are different.
Housing Costs
Dubai:
- Rent: A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around AED 7,927.36, while outside the center, it’s about AED 4,858.72. For a three-bedroom apartment, prices are AED 14,937.02 in the center and AED 10,375.00 outside the center.
- Buying Property: The price per square foot for purchasing an apartment in the city center is approximately AED 1,659.17 and AED 985.93 outside the city center.
Canada (Toronto and Montreal):
- Rent: In Toronto, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs about CAD 2,513.22 (AED 6,706.30), and CAD 2,139.98 (AED 5,710.36) outside the center. A three-bedroom apartment costs CAD 4,488.46 (AED 11,977.07) in the center and CAD 3,600.89 (AED 9,608.66) outside the center.
- Buying Property: In Toronto, the price per square foot for a city center apartment is CAD 1,314.60 (AED 3,507.89), and outside the center, it’s CAD 1,008.95 (AED 2,692.29).
Transportation Costs
Dubai:
- Public Transport: A one-way ticket on local transport costs AED 7.00, and a monthly pass is AED 300.00
- Taxi: The starting tariff for a taxi is AED 12.00, with an additional cost of AED 4.83 per mile
Canada (Toronto and Montreal):
- Public Transport: In Toronto, a one-way ticket costs CAD 3.35 (AED 8.94), and a monthly pass is CAD 156.00 (AED 416.27)
- Taxi: The starting tariff for a taxi in Toronto is CAD 5.00 (AED 13.34), with an additional cost of CAD 3.22 (AED 8.59) per mile
Food Costs
Dubai:
- Groceries: Prices for basic groceries in Dubai are relatively affordable. For example, a dozen eggs cost AED 12.14, and a liter of milk is AED 6.23
Canada (Toronto and Montreal):
- Groceries: In Toronto, a dozen eggs cost about CAD 4.64 (AED 12.38), and a liter of milk is CAD 4.24 (AED 11.30)
General Lifestyle Costs
Dubai:
- Utilities: Monthly utilities for an 85 m² apartment are about AED 700.00.
- Entertainment and Dining: Eating out at a mid-range restaurant costs around AED 150.00 for two people, and a cinema ticket is approximately AED 35.00
Canada (Toronto and Montreal):
- Utilities: In Toronto, monthly utilities for an 85 m² apartment are about CAD 150.00 (AED 400.00)
- Entertainment and Dining: Dining at a mid-range restaurant costs about CAD 80.00 (AED 213.60) for two people, and a cinema ticket is approximately CAD 14.00 (AED 37.40)
In general, Dubai provides its inhabitants with a lower cost of living specifically in the fields of housing and transportation compared to such big Canadian metropolitan cities as Toronto and Montreal; however, groceries and restaurant prices can be higher here. Dubai or Canada is not a decision that can be made based solely on the environment, but the decision making solely depends on the lifestyle preference as well as the opportunities available for job and the financial goals any individual may wish to accomplish.