What is the basic cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah

• Types of Expenses in RAK
• Total Cost for Singles
• Total Cost for Couples
• Total Cost for a Family of Four
• FAQs

Over the years, Ras Al Khaimah has gained popularity for its affordable, family-oriented lifestyle. As the emirate has developed in terms of infrastructure, housing options, and entertainment, more and more residents are choosing to live in RAK. If you also plan to move to the city, here is a detailed guide on the cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

TYPES OF EXPENSES IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

We have categorised the expenses into eight sections to offer you an overview of the cost of living in RAK:

• Housing
• Groceries
• Utilities
• Transport
• Schooling
• Healthcare
• Entertainment
• Househelp

Before we analyse each category, please remember that these costs are subject to change based on your lifestyle choices and personal preferences.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the different living expenses in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

HOUSING

When calculating the average cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah, housing is the most important expense.

Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of rental housing options for residents, from budget-friendly apartments to upscale villas. Hence, your housing expenses in Ras Al Khaimah would differ based on the area and type of property you choose. 

Here’s a look at the average rent for a studio to a 2-bed apartment in different areas of RAK:

Area	Studio (AED)	1-bed (AED)	2-bed (AED)
Area Al Hamra Village	Studio (AED) 32,000	1-bed (AED) 49,000	2-bed (AED) 72,000
Area Al Marjan Island	Studio (AED) 35,000	1-bed (AED) 56,000	2-bed (AED) 80,000
Area Mina Al Arab	Studio (AED) 29,000	1-bed (AED) 55,000	2-bed (AED) 91,000

Similarly, families looking for spacious residences can rent 3 to 5-bed villas in these areas of Ras Al Khaimah:

Area	3-bed (AED)	4-bed (AED)	5-bed (AED)
Area Al Dhait	3-bed (AED) 77,000	4-bed (AED) 84,000	5-bed (AED) 101,000
Area Al Refaa	3-bed (AED) 72,000	4-bed (AED) 108,000	5-bed (AED) 123,000
Area Mina Al Arab	3-bed (AED) 144,000	4-bed (AED) 253,000	5-bed (AED) N/A

You can also add the cost to register a tenancy contract online in Ras Al Khaimah.

GROCERIES

Grocery shopping is another monthly expense that adds to the cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah. Many supermarkets in RAK offer a diverse range of products, from fruits to meat.

• Your average grocery bill in Ras Al Khaimah will differ significantly based on your food preferences and where you shop.

• If you shop from Lulu or Carrefour supermarkets in RAK, your grocery costs will be lower than those of high-end chains like Spinneys or Choithrams. Opting for imported food items or expensive meat cuts also adds to your grocery bill.

• If you want to reduce your grocery costs further, buy local seasonal produce and grab bundle offers and discounts from respective stores.

Grocery Item	Cost in AED
Grocery Item Milk (1 ltr)	Cost in AED 6.29
Grocery Item Loaf of white bread (500 g)	Cost in AED 6.61
Grocery Item Rice (1 kg)	Cost in AED 7.00
Grocery Item Eggs (1 dozen)	Cost in AED 8.98
Grocery Item Local cheese (1 kg)	Cost in AED 46.75
Grocery Item Chicken filets (1 kg)	Cost in AED 32.87
Grocery Item Beef round (1 kg)	Cost in AED 57.00
Grocery Item Apples (1 kg)	Cost in AED 8.19
Grocery Item Banana (1 kg)	Cost in AED 6.59
Grocery Item Oranges (1 kg)	Cost in AED 5.60
Grocery Item Tomato (1 kg)	Cost in AED 4.89
Grocery Item Potato (1 kg)	Cost in AED 3.71
Grocery Item Onion (1 kg)	Cost in AED 3.96
Grocery Item Lettuce (1 head)	Cost in AED 6.48
Grocery Item Water (1.5 ltr)	Cost in AED 1.88
Grocery Item Bottle of wine (Mid-range)	Cost in AED 50.00
Grocery Item Cigarettes 20 pack (Marlboro)	Cost in AED 25.00

UTILITIES

The cost of utilities in RAK includes electricity and water bills (managed by Etihad Water and Electricity – Etihad WE), TV and internet package and mobile tariff. Your average living cost will differ based on your consumption of these utilities. 

• For instance, your average monthly electricity bill will be relatively higher in summer due to air-conditioning.

• Similarly, your monthly water bill will increase further if you live in a rental villa with a garden and a private pool.

• For TV and internet, residents can opt for packages offered by du and Etisalat.

DU

A basic du mobile plan starts at AED 150 per month, which includes 3GB of national data and 300 minutes of national and international calls. On the other hand, a power postpaid plan costs AED 500 per month, including unlimited national data and calling minutes, and 40GB of roaming data.

If you are looking for more du internet packages, there’s an unlimited 5G home wireless plan that starts at AED 299 and costs up to AED 279 with a 20% discount.

ETISALAT

Those who prefer Etisalat can choose from various postpaid mobile plans. The Freedom Standard plans start at AED 100 per month, which includes 2GB local data, 100 local and international minutes and 100 UAE WiFi hours.

On the pricier side of this package, you’ll find an AED 1,000 postpaid mobile plan, including 100GB local data, 2,000 flexi local and international minutes and 100 UAE WiFi hours.

As for their internet, TV and landline packages, you can opt for eLife plans. Their bestseller plan offers 500 Mbps internet and more than 180 basic channels. This package costs AED 299 per month. However, if you are looking for a premium Etisalat internet package, the Neo Fusion offer 10 Gbps with over 300 premium channels and costs AED 2,699 monthly.

UTILITY	COST
UTILITY Basic Utilities (Electricity, Water, Cooling & Garbage)	COST AED 300 – AED 1,500 per month
UTILITY Basic Internet and TV package	COST AED 279 – AED 299 per month
UTILITY Premium Internet and TV package	COST AED 2,699 per month
UTILITY Basic Mobile Postpaid Plan	COST AED 100 – AED 150 per month
UTILITY Premium Mobile Postpaid Plan	COST AED 500 – AED 1,000 per month

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is another major factor contributing to the cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah. Whether you drive your car or use public transport to commute in the city, the monthly expenses will depend on the frequency and duration of your travel.

• The fuel price in the UAE is lower than in the rest of the world, but your car model and how often and far you travel will add to your transportation cost in RAK.

• Another factor that residents must consider is their commuting frequency to other emirates. For instance, those who live in RAK and work in Dubai are likely to have higher monthly transport costs than those who don’t have to travel to other emirates for work.

• If you want to save on your costs, opt for public transport in RAK. You can travel by taxi. The fare varies as per the distance travelled. The fare for an internal bus/inter-city bus starts from AED 8.
  • If you frequently use a bus to get around RAK, get an E-SAQR card, which gives a credit of AED 20.
  • E-SAQR is available in three categories: blue (all users), silver (university students and senior citizens above 60 years old) and gold (people of determination).

TRANSPORT SERVICE	COST
TRANSPORT SERVICE Petrol (1 litre)	COST AED 2.66
TRANSPORT SERVICE Taxi (1 km, Normal Tariff)	COST AED 1.88
TRANSPORT SERVICE One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	COST AED 8 – AED 16
TRANSPORT SERVICE E-SAQR Card	COST From AED 20 – AED 30, Free (People of determination)

SCHOOLING

Families must also consider the school fees when calculating their monthly living costs in Ras Al Khaimah.

• There is a wide choice of schools in Ras Al Khaimah, catering to different curricula and budgets. Overall, the average school fees in Ras Al Khaimah are more affordable than in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

• Parents looking for affordable schooling options can consider Pakistani or Indian schools in RAK, where the monthly school fee for Grade 6 is around AED 500 to AED 600.

• On average, those who want to send their children to British and American schools can expect to pay around AED 1,800 to AED 4,500 per month for Grade 6.

Here are the monthly tuition fees (10 months) for a Grade/Year 6 student in popular schools in Ras Al Khaimah.

SCHOOL	CURRICULUM	FEE RANGE	TUITION FEES PER MONTH
SCHOOL GEMS Westminster School	CURRICULUM British	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 1,868
SCHOOL Ras Al Khaimah American High School	CURRICULUM American	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 2,970
SCHOOL RAK Academy	CURRICULUM British	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 4,317
SCHOOL The WellSpring School	CURRICULUM American	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 3,825
SCHOOL New Indian School	CURRICULUM Indian	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 527
SCHOOL Ideal English School	CURRICULUM Indian	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 529
SCHOOL Scholars Indian School	CURRICULUM Indian	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 579
SCHOOL Pakistan Higher Secondary School	CURRICULUM Pakistani	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 459

HEALTHCARE

Health insurance is essential for all residents of the UAE. As a common practice, employers provide health insurance to their employees. However, you must buy a package if the employer-provided insurance does not cover your family.

In Ras Al Khaimah, health insurance is compulsory for all residents and expatriates seeking quality medical care. The emirate’s healthcare system offers a wide network of hospitals and clinics, though treatment costs can differ considerably:

• Basic insurance plans usually range from AED 500 to 1,500 per year
• Mid-tier coverage costs around AED 3,000 to 7,000
• Premium plans with extensive benefits may reach AED 10,000 to 20,000 annually.

ENTERTAINMENT

Over the years, Ras Al Khaimah has developed into a premier leisure destination within the UAE, thanks to its beachfront and desert resorts, golf courses, theme parks and outdoor spots.

• Residents have a choice of activities in RAK to enjoy, whether they want to splurge or save. Beaches and parks in RAK can be your best bet!
• Foodies can head to these casual and fine-dining restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah that offer a diverse range of cuisines, from Indian to Chinese.
• Make sure to allocate a monthly budget for leisure activities and entertainment, as this will impact your cost of living in the emirate.

ENTERTAINMENT	COST
ENTERTAINMENT Movie Ticket for One	COST AED 46
ENTERTAINMENT Gym Membership for One Month	COST From AED 150 – AED 450
ENTERTAINMENT Meal for One (Affordable Restaurant)	COST AED 30
ENTERTAINMENT Meal for Two (Mid-range Restaurant, Three Courses)	COST AED 150
ENTERTAINMENT Meal for Two (Fine-Dining Restaurant, Three Courses)	COST AED AED 500 – AED 1,000

HOUSE HELP

Many families choose to sponsor a maid in Ras Al Khaimah. If you also want to sponsor house help, know that you will have to renew their visa every two years, which will add to your living costs in Ras Al Khaimah.  

• You must apply for domestic help sponsorships via the Work Bundle Platform, which starts from AED 10,000, with no renewal charges. The cost doesn’t include the monthly salary of house help, which ranges from AED 1,500 to AED 3,000, depending on the nature of their job.

• On average, you can hire a helper part-time at hourly charges of AED 30 – AED 50.

RAK COST OF LIVING BREAKDOWN BY FAMILY SIZE

AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAK FOR A SINGLE PERSON

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (PER MONTH)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Housing	COST (PER MONTH) Studios: AED 2,416 – AED 2,916
TYPE OF EXPENSE Groceries	COST (PER MONTH) AED 800
TYPE OF EXPENSE Utilities	COST (PER MONTH) AED 300 – AED 900
TYPE OF EXPENSE Total	COST (PER MONTH) AED 3,500 – AED 4,600

The cost of living in RAK as a bachelor ranges between AED 3,500 and AED 4,600. This amount does not include transportation costs or other services like cleaning and laundry.

• Regarding housing, singles can rent studios in RAK. The rent of studios varies based on the location. 
  • A studio flat for rent in Mina Al Arab is available for AED 2,416 monthly. A rental studio apartment in Al Marjan Island costs around AED 2,916 per month. 

• The monthly utility cost for a bachelor living in a studio ranges from AED 300 to AED 900. This covers utility bills, mobile, internet and TV expenses.

• Buying groceries will cost around AED 800, depending on your preferences.

• Transportation is another cost you must consider when calculating your monthly cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah as a bachelor.
  • You can expect to pay AED 30 for an E-SAQR in RAK (rechargeable as needed).
  • Singles who want to drive must also factor in the cost of getting a driving licence in RAK and fuel expenditure in their monthly budget.

AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAK FOR A COUPLE

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (PER MONTH)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Housing	COST (PER MONTH) 1 BHK Apt: AED 4,083 – AED 4,666
TYPE OF EXPENSE Groceries	COST (PER MONTH) AED 1600
TYPE OF EXPENSE Utilities	COST (PER MONTH) AED 400 – AED 1,200
TYPE OF EXPENSE Total	COST (PER MONTH) AED 6,083 – AED 7,466

Married couples can easily enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in RAK for AED 6,000 to AED 7,500 per month.

• As far as the housing is concerned, most couples prefer to rent 1-bedroom flats in Ras Al Khaimah.
  • The average monthly rent of 1-bed apartments in Al Hamra Village is AED 4,083, whereas 1-bed flats in Al Marjan Island have an average rent of AED 4,666 per month.

• Couples will have to pay as low as AED 400 for utilities.
• The cost of groceries will be around AED 1,600.

AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAK FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (PER MONTH)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Housing	COST (PER MONTH) 3 BHK Villa: AED 6,000 – AED 12,000
TYPE OF EXPENSE Groceries	COST (PER MONTH) AED 3,200
TYPE OF EXPENSE Utilities	COST (PER MONTH) AED 600 – AED 1,500
TYPE OF EXPENSE Total	COST (PER MONTH) AED 9,800 – AED 16,700

The basic cost of living in RAK for a family of four ranges between AED 9,800 and AED 16,700.

• Villas are a popular choice for housing among families in Ras Al Khaimah. For a 3-bedroom rental villa in Al Refaa, expect to pay AED 6,000. On the other hand, a 3-bed villa for rent in Mina Al Arab is available for AED 12,000 per month.

• The utility expenditure of a family of four is around AED 600 to AED 1,500.
• The grocery bill for a family of four may come to AED 3,200.
• Remember that your children’s school fees will also add to your monthly expenditure. The monthly tuition fee of schools in Ras Al Khaimah is around AED 500 – AED 4,500 per month, depending on the institute you opt for.

FAQs

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AREAS TO RENT PROPERTIES IN RAS AL KHAIMAH?

The popularity of areas varies based on the type of property. For instance, Al Hamra Village, Al Seer and Mina Al Arab are popular areas to rent flats in RAK.

WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVING IN DUBAI?

The cost of living in Dubai depends on multiple factors, including types of expenses (housing, transportation and healthcare) and the number of individuals. A single person’s basic cost of living ranges from AED 3,500 to AED 5,500.

That concludes our guide to the basic Ras Al Khaimah cost of living for bachelors, couples and families. As you can see, RAK offers an affordable yet comfortable lifestyle with easy access to lifestyle amenities.

Please note that this guide only covers the starting living expenses in Ras Al Khaimah. Residents can expect additional vacations, children’s after-school activities, and home renovation expenses.

If you are debating between moving to Ras Al Khaimah or Abu Dhabi, compare the expected average expenses in Abu Dhabi to your current monthly living expenses in the northern emirate.

Other northern emirates, such as Sharjah and Ajman, are also popular with those looking for a budget-friendly lifestyle. Compare the cost of living in Sharjah vs Ajman to find out which emirate is ideal for you.

Stay tuned to MyBayut for more articles on the cost of living in the UAE.