Dubai Reality Check - Is Your Dubai Salary Offer Actually Worth It?
Moving to Dubai? Our free relocation calculator tells you if your salary offer actually makes sense after factoring in rent, groceries, school fees, DEWA bills, and all the hidden costs recruiters don't mention.
Dubai is marketed as a tax-free paradise, but the reality is more nuanced. While you pay 0% income tax, the cost of living can be significantly higher than your home city. Rent in popular areas like Dubai Marina or Downtown can exceed 80,000 AED per year for a one-bedroom apartment. School fees for international schools range from 30,000 to 100,000 AED annually per child. Even basic utilities like DEWA cost more than most expats expect.
Our calculator compares your current city's cost of living with Dubai's real 2026 market data. We factor in your specific situation including family size, lifestyle preferences, area choice, and whether your company provides housing or transport. The result is an honest verdict on whether you will actually save money or just break even after relocating.
We use purchasing power parity data to show what your Dubai salary really buys compared to your home country. A 15,000 AED monthly salary might sound impressive, but once you account for Dubai's costs, the picture changes depending on where you are moving from. Whether you are considering a mid-career move, a fresh start, or a blue-collar opportunity, our tool gives you the real numbers.
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