Living Cost Comparison of Bangladesh Cities vs Dubai
To get a clear understanding on how living costs differ in Dubai and major cities of Bangladesh including Dhaka, a comparison of the two has been made. The following comparison has been made in Bangladeshi Taka (৳) and United Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED).
Housing Costs
Dubai:
- City Center: Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: ~AED 7,927.36 (৳227,211.86)
- Outside City Center: ~AED 4,858.72 (৳139,193.79)
Dhaka:
- City Center: ~৳60,000 (AED 1,875)
- Outside City Center: ~৳30,000 (AED 938)
Utilities and Internet
Dubai:
- Monthly utilities for a standard 85 m² apartment: ~AED 950 (৳27,230).
- Monthly internet (8 Mbps): ~AED 300 (৳8,599)
Dhaka:
- Monthly utilities: ~৳7,000 (AED 220).
- Monthly internet: ~৳1,500 (AED 47)
Grocery Prices
Dubai:
- Eggs (12): ~AED 11.94 (৳331.84).
- Chicken fillets (1 lb): ~AED 14.10 (৳391.44).
- Apples (1 lb): ~AED 3.93 (৳109.12).
- Rice (1 lb): ~AED 2.06 (৳57.22)
Dhaka:
- Eggs (12): ~৳139.24 (AED 4.35).
- Chicken fillets (1 lb): ~৳128.08 (AED 4.00).
- Apples (1 lb): ~৳112.59 (AED 3.52).
- Rice (1 lb): ~৳31.52 (AED 0.99)
Transportation
Dubai:
- One-way ticket (local transport): ~AED 7 (৳204).
- Monthly pass (regular price): ~AED 300 (৳8,754).
- Taxi start (normal tariff): ~AED 12 (৳350)
Dhaka:
- One-way ticket: ~৳50 (AED 1.56).
- Monthly pass: ~৳2,434.78 (AED 76.11).
- Taxi start: ~৳150 (AED 4.69)
Dining Out
Dubai:
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district: ~AED 53 (৳1,548).
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant: ~AED 33 (৳964)
Dhaka:
- Basic lunchtime menu: ~৳300 (AED 9.38).
- Combo meal: ~৳150 (AED 4.69)
In general it is possible to state that the price of products and services in Dubai is higher than in the most developed cities of Bangladesh. The higher costs in Dubai include accommodation, electricity and water, food, transport and restaurants. This is riding on the fact that Dubai is one of the most developed cities in the world with a great financial status, good lifestyle and wonderful infrastructure.