The short version

Every estimate is built from typical mid-market prices for 2026, reviewed in September 2026. They are not quotes. Your real costs depend on the exact area, building, school and provider you choose, and they can be higher or lower.

Rent

We use typical annual rents for a studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and a 3-bedroom villa in each emirate. For Dubai we start from median rents on registered (Ejari) contracts. For Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman we use 2026 listing and market reports. Rent in prime areas such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina or Saadiyat Island can be far higher than our figures.

Deposit, agency and government fees

• Security deposit: about 5% of annual rent.
• Agency fee: about 5% of annual rent.
• Dubai: 5% housing fee added to the DEWA bill, plus Ejari registration.
• Abu Dhabi: 3% municipality fee added to the ADDC bill, plus Tawtheeq registration.
• Sharjah: lease attestation fee of about 4% of annual rent.
• Ajman: Tasdeeq lease registration of 2% of annual rent (minimum AED 400).

School fees

We use typical annual tuition for budget, mid-range and premium schools in five curricula: Pakistani, Indian (CBSE), British, American and IB. Dubai figures are based on 2026-27 fee ranges. Sharjah and Ajman fees are usually lower, so we apply a discount to Dubai levels. We add registration, uniform, books and the school bus for each child.

Visas and insurance

By UAE law, an employer pays for the employee’s own residence visa and health insurance. Visas for a spouse and children are normally paid by the sponsor, and we estimate about AED 3,500 per dependant including entry permit, residence, Emirates ID and medical test. In Abu Dhabi employers must also insure one spouse and up to three children, and the calculator applies this rule. Investor visas are estimated at about AED 12,000.

Transport, utilities and furniture

• Car: a typical yearly figure for a lease or loan, fuel, tolls (Salik or Darb) and parking.
• Public transport: metro, bus and taxi costs per commuting adult.
• Utilities: electricity, water, district cooling where common, and home internet.
• Furniture and movers: a basic one-time setup for an unfurnished home, plus AED 1,500 to 4,000 for local movers depending on home size.
• Utility deposit: a refundable electricity and water deposit of about AED 2,000 for a flat or AED 4,000 for a villa (DEWA’s published rates; other emirates are similar), plus about AED 200 in connection fees.

How the three totals work

• Cash at move-in: the first rent cheque, deposit, agency and lease fees, utility deposit, furniture and movers, visas, insurance, school registration and uniforms, and the first school term.
• Per month: rent, monthly housing fees, school fees and bus, transport, insurance and utilities, averaged over 12 months.
• First 12 months: every cost above for the full first year, including one-time costs.

What we leave out

The results also show three hidden costs to watch out for, picked from your answers: for example rent paid in few cheques, school seat deposits, commuting costs or chiller fees.

Groceries, eating out, shopping, holidays, flights, international shipping, pet relocation, domestic help, district cooling charges and car purchase are not included, because they vary too much from person to person. The optional full report helps you plan for these.

Sources and updates

We review prices at least twice a year and whenever a major fee changes. Sources include registered rental contract data, public listing portals, school fee guides for 2026-27, federal and emirate government portals, and utility tariffs. Spotted something out of date? Email cs@movewiseuae.com.