Let’s face it, it’s a fact! The first difficulty that everyone considering relocating to the UAE faces is choose which city to settle in. Of course, your first concern is to find a place to live in the city where you plan to start a business or find work. If you are planning to start a business or seek for a job in the UAE, the first step is to decide the city you will be staying in. Living in Dubai is the first alternative that comes to mind, as it offers more work and business chances, but there is always a cost of living to establish a better lifestyle in Dubai. Given that Dubai and Sharjah are the most populous cities in the UAE, they garner the maximum interests from expats.
These cities have it all, from sky-scraping structures to world-class facilities and amenities, to guarantee that its residents enjoy a high quality of life. The main difference, though, is the cost of life. Without a doubt, the cost of living in Dubai is higher than in Sharjah. If you’re thinking about moving to the UAE but can’t decide whether to live in Dubai or Sharjah, this comparison of the cost of living in the two cities can help you decide. Continue reading to learn more:
Residence Costs:
Without a doubt, the cost of living in both cities is a significant factor to consider before migrating to the UAE. When it comes to the cost of living, Dubai outperforms Sharjah since flats, villas, and other types of housing are more expensive in Dubai. It may be seen in the fact that the average price per square metre of an apartment in Dubai’s City Centre is AED 12,345.02, while it is AED 7,473.96 in Sharjah. In Dubai and Sharjah, the price per square meter for an apartment outside of the city centre is AED 8,448.91 and AED 4,425.00, respectively.
Similarly, when it comes to renting an apartment, Sharjah is far less expensive than Dubai. A 3-bedroom flat in City Centre may be rented for an average of AED 4,963.89, whereas in Dubai, the average rental price for a 3-bedroom apartment is AED 11,469.57, over 57 percent more.
Cost of Utility:
After housing costs, utility costs take up a significant portion of one’s monthly budget. As a result, it is important to think about when choosing a city. Many people are surprised to learn that utility costs in Dubai are lower than in Sharjah. Basic utility costs for a month average AED 643.23 if you own or rent an 85m2 apartment in Dubai. Utility charges for the same size flat in Sharjah, on the other hand, will cost you AED 657.63.
Note that utility costs include expenses for power, heating, cooling, waste, and water.
Transportation:
The expense of transportation and commuting is the next item on the list. If you prefer public transportation or a taxi, Dubai is marginally better in this aspect. A one-way ticket in Dubai costs AED 6.00, whereas the same ticket in Sharjah costs AED 8.00. In Dubai, the standard cab fare is AED 12.00, with an additional charge of AED 2.00 for each additional kilometre. Under regular tariff in Sharjah, a taxi starts fee of AED 13.50 and a 1km distance fee of AED 3.00 are levied. This discrepancy is due to the fact that gasoline prices in both cities varied slightly.
If you wish to acquire a car, Sharjah offers them at reasonable prices. In Sharjah, a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline or a similar new car costs AED 65,000.00. These automobiles are priced at AED 90,000.00 in Dubai.
Shopping & Grocery:
Dubai is more expensive than Sharjah when it comes to grocery products and shopping. Fruits, vegetables, chicken, and other such things are significantly more expensive in this location. Similarly, there is a price disparity between apparel and shoes. In this scenario, the difference is not insignificant, but quite significant. Some items have rates that are more than 50% higher.
The Remainder:
In general, except for utility costs, the cost of living in Dubai is higher than in Sharjah. It does, however, offer additional chances in terms of starting a business or finding a job. In addition, average pay packages are greater here. This helps to compensate for Dubai’s high living costs.
