Spend less, live big: Tips for living in Abu Dhabi on a budget
- Affordable Housing
- Cut Down Travel Costs
- Save up on Groceries
- Reasonably Priced Schools
- Budget-friendly Leisure
Abu Dhabi is a vibrant city known for its skyscrapers, theme parks and luxury lifestyle, but living in Abu Dhabi on a budget is entirely possible. While the cost of living can be high, wise choices and a few budgeting tips can help you enjoy the city’s perks without overspending. With careful planning, you can strike a balance between comfort and cost while making the most of life in the capital.
TIPS FOR LIVING IN ABU DHABI ON A BUDGET
The cost of living in Abu Dhabi largely depends on your lifestyle and marital status. A large part of your living expenses in Abu Dhabi go towards accommodation, fuel, transportation costs, schools, healthcare, utilities and groceries. Follow our tips to divide your earnings based on your expenses and save more!
LOOK FOR AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is one of the main expenses when it comes to the average living expenses in Abu Dhabi. Luckily, the capital of the UAE is home to a wide variety of rental properties available at affordable prices. There are several cheap apartments in Abu Dhabi that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Tenants interested in renting an apartment in Abu Dhabi can get a studio for rent in Shakhbout City for around AED 27k. The area is also counted amongst the top areas to rent studios in Abu Dhabi for under 42k per year.
Another option for affordable living is to rent a studio apartment in Khalifa City, which is available for an average of AED 31k. One of the advantages of renting in Khalifa City is its proximity to Al Raha Beach and Saadiyat Island – two of the most popular leisure destinations in the city. Other areas with budget-friendly studio apartments for rent include Al Muroor, Al Mushrif and Shakbout City.
If you’re planning to live in the capital with your family and need tips to save money while living in Abu Dhabi, consider areas like Khalifa City, Madinat Zayed, Mussafah and Al Ghadeer, as they offer 1 to 3-bedroom units.
1-BHK apartment in Shakbout City is available for AED 43k. Those seeking larger units can opt for the 2-bedroom flats, with a starting price of AED 79,000.
Given the abundance of options, you can always find an affordable property to rent in Abu Dhabi and save up some money.
CUT DOWN YOUR TRANSPORTATION COSTS
One of the best tips to save money while living in Abu Dhabi is to curb your fuel or transportation costs. Expats who recently moved to Abu Dhabi will initially find it difficult to get around if they don’t own a car or if their workplace doesn’t offer a pick-up and drop-off facility. However, the extensive Abu Dhabi public transport system provides easy access to major residential and commercial districts.
RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN POSSIBLE
Public transport in Abu Dhabi includes buses and taxis. Senior citizens and People of Determination can travel on any public transport bus in Abu Dhabi for free. You can also use the Darb app to get information about public buses.
GET HAFILAT CARDS
If you’re living on a budget in Abu Dhabi, investing a small amount in Hafilat Cards can be a smart decision. Depending on your travel needs, you can invest in a temporary or a permanent Hilafat Card. The transport fees on Abu Dhabi buses and Hafilat cards come under T-Purse by Hafilat, and their charges are:
- Weekly Hafilat Pass: AED 35
- Monthly Hafilat Pass: AED 95
LIVE CLOSE TO YOUR WORKPLACE
Another way of budget living in Abu Dhabi is to try to find a residence close to your workplace or your kids’ school. Living near your workplace or school will help cut fuel and transportation costs.
SAVE ON GROCERY SHOPPING
Money spent on groceries can take up a big chunk of your earnings. Singles and families spend significant amounts on essentials such as milk, eggs, yoghurt, meat, rice and detergents.
Here are some tips to help you save on your grocery shopping.
BUY FROM HYPERMARKETS
Abu Dhabi is home to several hypermarkets like Lulu and Carrefour. These are some of the most popular budget shopping grocery stores. They regularly offer various discount deals on different items. You can also install their apps to stay informed about special offers.
USE APPS AND E-COMMERCE WEBSITES TO ORDER FOOD ONLINE
You can buy non-perishable food items in bulk to save up! Order online using the official websites or food delivery apps in Abu Dhabi to access a variety of supermarkets and hypermarkets. Furthermore, you can also utilise wholesale trading stores to save money whilst living in Abu Dhabi.
Apps such as Quality Foods offer a wide selection of grocery items with delivery options. Ordering online will help you save time and fuel costs, as you won’t need to drive back and forth to the store.
Other discount apps in Abu Dhabi for great deals on groceries, restaurants, apparel and other items include:
- Groupon
- The Smiles UAE app
- Entertainer
- Privelee
- Insta Shop
SHOP AT THE SOUKS
Buying local is the key to obtaining high-quality products at lower prices. At the traditional souks in Abu Dhabi, such as the Al Mina Fruits and Vegetable Souk, a selection of fresh local produce is available at exceptionally reasonable prices.
Alternatively, residents can get premium and fresh seafood from the Mina Zayed Fish Souk. Similarly, at the Carpet Souk, you can find high-quality rugs, carpets, furniture, and accessories at affordable rates.
LOOK FOR AFFORDABLE SCHOOLS
Abu Dhabi offers a surprising number of affordable schools that fit well within the budget of families mindful of the cost of living in Abu Dhabi. Many international and Indian curriculum schools provide strong academic programmes without hefty fees, ensuring quality education for children from diverse backgrounds.
If you’re exploring options, this list of top Indian schools in Abu Dhabi is a good place to start. With a bit of research, you can find a school that balances educational excellence and affordability.
You can also browse through the top government schools in Abu Dhabi.
ENTERTAINMENT ON A BUDGET
Abu Dhabi is a modern metropolis offering a diverse array of leisure destinations for both visitors and residents. The list includes the thrilling theme parks on Yas Island, the expansive desert wilderness and the iconic Sheikh Zayed Mosque. You can use Groupon Coupons to get access to major theme parks on a budget.
While we’re discussing how to live in Abu Dhabi on a budget, it’s worth noting that there are plenty of free activities to enjoy in Abu Dhabi, such as visiting the Heritage Village and exploring the Emirati Bedouin lifestyle. You can also take a journey back in time and visit Qasr al Hosn, the oldest stone building in the emirate, dating back to the 18th century.
Free activities in Abu Dhabi for those living on a budget also include cycling on the Al Wathba Track, which ranks amongst the best cycling tracks in Abu Dhabi.
Another option for those looking to embrace the great outdoors is to go camping and spend a relaxing weekend under the clear blue skies. Visit the best public beaches in Abu Dhabi, such as Al Bateen Beach or the Corniche, for a perfect day at the beach.
FAQs
IS FOOD IN ABU DHABI EXPENSIVE?
The amount you spend each month on your food and groceries largely depends on your lifestyle choices. If you spend carefully, you can get your monthly groceries for AED 600 to AED 800 per person. Similarly, grocery shopping for a family of four, comprising two adults and two children, can be done for AED 2,500.
To save some more on eating out, you can choose any of the affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Some of these can cost as little as AED 10. However, if you choose a fine dining restaurant, it will indeed cost you a lot more.
WHAT IS A GOOD SALARY IN ABU DHABI?
Your salary in Abu Dhabi largely depends on your job designation, experience and qualifications. A professional at the start of their career can earn anything from AED 5,000 to AED 8,000 per month. Individuals with more hands-on experience and qualifications will generally be in a higher salary grade, potentially ranging from AED 15,000 upwards.
And that wraps up our guide to living in Abu Dhabi on a budget. These handy money-saving tips can help reduce your expenses, making it easier to save for a holiday or any other personal goal. To decide which emirate suits your lifestyle better, consider the cost of living in Dubai vs Abu Dhabi.
