Relocation cost calculator · prices checked October 2026
What will your first year in the UAE cost?
UAE relocation cost calculator: rent, deposits, school fees, visas, insurance, bills and getting around. Put it all in one number before you accept the offer or sign a lease.
Covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. Free, no sign-up, nothing saved.
Year one for a family of three
Couple and one child, 2-bedroom flat, British mid-range school, own car, employer visa.
Includes rent, deposit, agency and lease fees, school, car, furniture, insurance, bills and visas. See the detail
Four emirates, four very different lives
Most people pick an emirate for the job, then find out what it costs. Here is what each one is really like, and what a family of three spends there in year one.
Best for careers and choiceDubai
The UAE’s busiest job market, with the widest choice of homes, schools and things to do. You pay for it: rents are the highest in the country, and a 5% housing fee is added to your DEWA bill every month.
Popular areas: Mirdif, Al Barsha, JVC, Silicon Oasis
- 2-bed rent
- –
- Family, year one
- –
Best for families and a calmer paceAbu Dhabi
The capital is greener, quieter and more spread out. Employers here must insure your spouse and up to three children, which can save a family several thousand dirhams a year.
Popular areas: Khalifa City, Al Reem Island, Yas Island
- 2-bed rent
- –
- Family, year one
- –
Best for value close to DubaiSharjah
Rents are roughly half of Dubai’s, and there are plenty of affordable Pakistani and Indian schools. It is a dry emirate, and the drive into Dubai can take an hour at rush hour.
Popular areas: Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Muwaileh, Aljada
- 2-bed rent
- –
- Family, year one
- –
Best for the lowest costAjman
The smallest emirate and the cheapest place to rent of the four, with a quiet beachfront corniche. Most people who work in Dubai drive 40 to 60 minutes each way, so budget for fuel and Salik.
Popular areas: Al Nuaimiya, Al Rashidiya, Al Jurf, Corniche
- 2-bed rent
- –
- Family, year one
- –
Work out your own number with our UAE relocation cost calculator
Fill in what you know and press Calculate. Change anything and try again as often as you like.
- cash you need at move-in
- what it costs each month after that
- the total for your first 12 months
Prices change every year and vary a lot between areas. Check current rates with the landlord or school before you pay anything.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ajman?
Where you live changes your budget more than anything else. The same family pays around AED 100,000 less in the first year in Ajman than in Dubai, mainly on rent and school fees.
Rents are typical mid-market annual rents from 2026 registered contracts and listings. Your area and building can move the price a lot either way. Many people who work in Dubai live in Sharjah or Ajman, so remember to add fuel, Salik tolls and commute time.
The costs people forget to plan for
Most people budget for rent and salary. Then the other bills arrive, usually all in the first month.
- 1
Rent in a few cheques
up to 100% upfrontLandlords often ask for the year’s rent in 1 to 4 post-dated cheques, so a large amount leaves your account in month one.
- 2
Deposit and agency fee
~5% + ~5% of rentBoth are paid when you sign, on top of the first cheque.
- 3
Housing and lease fees
2% to 5% of rentDubai adds 5% of your rent to the DEWA bill and Abu Dhabi 3%. Sharjah (4%) and Ajman (2%) charge when you register the lease.
- 4
School admission
AED 5,000+ per childRegistration, seat deposit, uniform, books and the bus, before the first term’s fees.
- 5
Furniture and setup
AED 8,000 – 35,000Most flats are unfurnished, and some come without a fridge or washing machine.
- 6
Family visas and insurance
~AED 3,500 per personYour employer pays for your own visa and insurance. Your spouse and children are usually on you, except for insurance in Abu Dhabi.
The estimate is free. The detailed plan is optional.
Free estimate
A quick reality check.
- Upfront, monthly and first-year totals
- Line-by-line breakdown for all four emirates
- Housing, lease and visa fees included
- How much of your income it takes
Get your free report
Best before you signFor when you are ready to make real decisions.
- Month-by-month cash flow around rent cheques and school terms
- Area comparison: rent, commute and distance to schools
- 30-60-90 day relocation checklist
- Visa, Emirates ID and insurance steps in the right order
- What to ask landlords and schools before paying
Need someone to actually do it?
Once you have a budget, we can put you in touch with people we trust in the UAE. It costs you nothing, and we only share your details if you ask us to.
Movers
Quotes for shipping or moving your things.
Insurance brokers
Health cover that meets your emirate’s rules.
Property agents
Homes that fit the budget you just worked out.
School advisors
Shortlists and help with admissions.
Get free quotes from trusted partners
Moving soon? Compare free quotes from movers on our mover quotes page, or see local options for movers in JVC, movers in Dubai Marina, movers in Business Bay and Dubai to Abu Dhabi movers.
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Plain answers before you move
Rent, schools, visas and insurance explained, with 2026 numbers.
Cost of livingCost of living in Dubai for a family in 2026
What a family of three really spends in its first year in Dubai in 2026: rent, deposits, school fees, car, bills, insurance and visas, line by line.
Read the guide →
Cost of livingSharjah vs Dubai for families: rent, schools and the commute
Is living in Sharjah and working in Dubai worth it? Rent, school fees, commute costs and a full first-year comparison for families in 2026.
Read the guide →
VisasUAE family visa 2026: cost, salary rule and documents
How to sponsor your spouse and children in the UAE in 2026: the AED 4,000 salary rule, who you can sponsor, documents, costs per person and timing.
Read the guide →Is the calculator really free?
Yes. No sign-up and no card. Only the detailed PDF report is paid.
Which emirates does it cover?
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. Each has its own rents, school fee levels, utility and housing fees, transport costs and insurance rules.
How accurate is it?
It uses typical 2026 mid-market prices for each emirate, home size and school type. Treat it as a solid starting point, not a quote. Prices change every year and vary a lot by area.
Why is Ajman so much cheaper?
Rents in Ajman are often less than half of Dubai for the same size home, and school fees and bills are lower too. If you will work in Dubai, add the cost and time of the commute.
Does my employer pay for my visa and insurance?
By law, your employer pays for your own residence visa and health insurance. Visas and insurance for your spouse and children are normally yours to pay, except in Abu Dhabi, where employers must insure one spouse and up to three children. The calculator follows these rules.
Is this financial or legal advice?
No. It is a planning tool. For visas and contracts, check with the relevant authority or a qualified advisor.
Can I read the site in my language?
Yes. Use the language menu at the top of the page. It covers over 100 languages, including Urdu, Hindi and Arabic.
Get in touch
Questions about your move, requests for the full report, or partnership ideas. We usually reply within one working day.
Or email us at cs@movewiseuae.com
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