Loading...
Loading...
How much does it really cost to live in Dubai with kids? It depends entirely on your choices — and that's actually one of the best things about this city. Here's a complete, honest breakdown using real numbers from families living here, not from estate agents or tourism boards.
A family of four can expect to spend AED 15,000–70,000+ per month depending on lifestyle.
The biggest variables are rent and school fees.
Three realistic tiers for a family of four. All figures in AED per month unless stated otherwise.
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (monthly) | 5,000–7,000 | 10,000–18,000 | 25,000–45,000 |
| School fees (per child/month) | 1,500–3,000 | 3,500–6,000 | 6,500–8,500 |
| Groceries | 2,000–3,000 | 3,000–4,500 | 4,500–7,000 |
| Dining out | 500–1,000 | 1,500–3,000 | 3,000–6,000 |
| Transport (car/fuel/Salik) | 1,000–1,500 | 1,500–2,500 | 3,000–5,000 |
| Healthcare | 500–1,000 | 1,000–2,000 | 2,000–4,000 |
| Utilities (DEWA) | 500–800 | 800–1,500 | 1,500–3,000 |
| Entertainment & activities | 500–1,000 | 1,500–3,000 | 3,000–6,000 |
| Monthly Total | AED 11,500–18,300 | AED 22,800–40,500 | AED 47,500–84,500 |
Rent is typically the biggest expense for families in Dubai. Here's what real prices look like across popular neighbourhoods, using data from our 33 area profiles.
| Neighbourhood | Property Type | From (AED/yr) | To (AED/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International City | Studio | 25,000 | 50,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 30,000 | 50,000 | |
| Motor City | Studio | 28,000 | 38,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 35,000 | 50,000 | |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Studio | 28,000 | 38,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 35,000 | 50,000 | |
| Dubai South | Studio | 30,000 | 45,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 50,000 | 75,000 | |
| JVC - Jumeirah Village Circle | Studio | 32,000 | 50,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 45,000 | 70,000 | |
| Green Community | Studio (DIP) | 33,000 | 45,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 47,000 | 60,000 | |
| Al Barsha | Studio | 35,000 | 50,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 45,000 | 70,000 | |
| Town Square | 1-Bed Apartment | 40,000 | 55,000 |
| 2-Bed Apartment | 55,000 | 75,000 | |
| DAMAC Hills | Studio | 45,000 | 55,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 65,000 | 80,000 | |
| Business Bay | Studio | 50,000 | 85,000 |
| 1-Bed Apartment | 75,000 | 130,000 |
School fees vary dramatically depending on the curriculum, reputation, and year group. Here are averages across our 47 profiled schools.
| Curriculum | Schools | Avg Fee (AED/yr) | Range (AED/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British | 39 | 58,747 | 18,000–115,000 |
| American | 3 | 77,167 | 52,000–102,000 |
| IB | 3 | 88,500 | 65,000–115,000 |
| Indian | 2 | 33,250 | 18,000–55,000 |
Beyond rent and school fees, here's what everyday life costs for a family in Dubai.
From our own experience and conversations with dozens of families.
“I relate Dubai to Vegas – if you're a gambler, Vegas is the best place in the world to take your money. If you come here without a plan and stay in holiday mode, this place will just continue to extract money from you.”
“Kids are way more resilient than you think. Take them on the journey with you so it doesn't feel like a shock or a surprise.”
“I truly feel like I've got a full day's work done before midday. You've already won the day before the UK's even woken up.”
Use our interactive calculator to estimate your monthly costs based on your specific lifestyle, neighbourhood, and family size.
Open Budget CalculatorCompare 47 schools with KHDA ratings, fees, and curriculum options.
🏘️Compare 33 neighbourhoods with rental prices, walkability, and family scores.
✈️Everything you need to know about relocating — visas, timeline, and honest advice.
I work with families every week on realistic budgets for their Dubai move. If you want personalised advice based on your specific situation, I'd love to help.
View Relocation Package