Cost of Living In Dubai For Indian Entrepreneurs Relocating For Business

If you’re an Indian entrepreneur preparing to move to Dubai - whether to launch a consultancy, expand a trading company, or run a global-first business through a modern free zone like Meydan Free Zone - the one question that eventually arrives is:

“How much does it really cost to live in Dubai?”

Not the influencer version.
Not the tourist version.
The entrepreneur’s version - with real rentals, utilities, school fees, groceries, petrol, and a lifestyle that blends ambition with comfort.

The truth is: Dubai is neither shockingly expensive nor deceptively cheap.
It is predictable, transparent, and built for planners - which is why Indian founders find it easier to manage finances here than in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Gurgaon.

Let’s walk through the cost of living the way an Indian entrepreneur sees it.

Housing: The One Cost You Must Understand Properly

For Indian entrepreneurs moving to Dubai, rent is the biggest line item - just like in Mumbai, Gurgaon or Bengaluru. But unlike Indian metros where prices swing wildly by neighbourhood, Dubai rents are regulated through the RERA Rental Index (Dubai Land Department).

A 1-bedroom apartment in a good building is usually AED 65k–105k/year.

That may sound high until you consider what you get:

• 24/7 security
• clean, maintained buildings
• gym + pool in most cases
• dedicated parking
• predictable rent contracts (no sudden hikes)
• no “broker surprises” or paperwork chaos

If you’ve ever fought with a landlord in Mumbai or worried about water tankers in Gurgaon, Dubai’s rental stability feels like a luxury.

Since many entrepreneurs choosing Meydan Free Zone prefer to live within a 10–20 minute radius of their business jurisdiction, here’s what the most popular nearby neighbourhoods look like:

Meydan / Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) City

• 1 BHK: AED 75,000–95,000/year‍
• 2 BHK: AED 115,000–150,000/year‍

Modern, quiet, close to Downtown, perfect for founders who want newer buildings and quick access to Business Bay.

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)

• 1 BHK: AED 45,000–70,000/year‍
• 2 BHK: AED 70,000–95,000/year‍

A favourite among budget-conscious founders. Family-friendly, excellent connectivity, and 20 minutes from Meydan.

Al Barari / Al Quoz (select communities)

• 1 BHK (rare): AED 85,000+‍
• 2 BHK: AED 150,000+‍

Premium villa-style living for founders who want peace, greenery and design-forward communities.

Other Expat-Favourite Areas Across Dubai

Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)

• 1 BHK: AED 75,000–105,000/year‍
• 2 BHK: AED 110,000–150,000/year

Business Bay

• 1 BHK: AED 95,000–140,000/year‍
• 2 BHK: AED 150,000–220,000/year

Bur Dubai / Karama

• 1 BHK: AED 55,000–80,000/year‍
• 2 BHK: AED 80,000–120,000/year

‍Perfect for those who want Indian communities, groceries, temples and familiarity within walking distance.

Utilities & Internet: Stable, Predictable, No Drama

DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority) publishes transparent tariffs.

For most apartments:

• Utilities: AED 300–900/month‍
• Internet: AED 300–450/month (Etisalat, du or Virgin)

The best part?

The infrastructure works. No outages. No voltage drops. No “power cut hai” moments.

Indians don’t realise how much energy they spend managing infrastructure until they stop doing it in Dubai.

Groceries & Eating Out: Indian Food Everywhere, Costs Mostly Manageable

Dubai’s food ecosystem is a love letter to Indian expats.

Whether you’re a dosa-for-breakfast founder or a meal-prep-and-salad entrepreneur, Dubai caters to you seamlessly. Prices stay stable thanks to government monitoring via the Dubai Statistics Center.

Typical monthly grocery spend:

• Solo: AED 1,000–1,500‍
• Couple: AED 1,500–2,200

Eating out ranges from:

• Indian thali: AED 15–25‍
• Casual dining: AED 40–80 per dish‍
• Premium restaurants: AED 100+

Dubai is pricier than India for restaurants - but the hygiene, portion size, and consistency are simply better.

Transport: Cheaper Fuel, Smoother Roads, Fewer Headaches

Metro

Dubai’s Metro is clean, reliable, and incredibly safe. Expect AED 200–350/month depending on your zone combinations.

Cars

Fuel is regulated monthly by the UAE Fuel Price Committee (usually AED 2.8–3.2/litre), and cars are far cheaper than in India.

• Leasing: AED 1,500–2,500/month‍
• Used car purchase: AED 15,000–45,000

No potholes. No random speed breakers. No stress-filled driving.

If you grew up white-knuckling your way through Hosur Road or Western Express Highway traffic, Dubai roads feel like a reward.

Healthcare: Mandatory, Regulated, and High Quality

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) mandates health insurance. Most entrepreneurs pay:

• ‍AED 1,000–4,000/year for individual plans
• ‍AED 5,000–15,000/year for family plans

Healthcare quality is exceptional, and insurance-driven systems make costs predictable.

School Fees: The One Cost Families Must Prepare For

If you’re moving with children, school fees become a strategic decision. KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) publishes all school fees transparently.

Ranges:

• Indian CBSE/ICSE schools: AED 8,000–18,000/year‍
• British/International schools: AED 20,000–60,000/year‍
• Premium institutions: AED 60,000–110,000/year

Dubai gives you choice, but the prices vary significantly.

Residency Costs for Entrepreneurs (Business-Linked)

If you’re setting up your business through Meydan Free Zone, residency is straightforward. You only need a passport to begin incorporation — everything else is digital.

Your personal relocation costs typically include:

• Investor visa
• Medical test (completed in 2 business days)
• Emirates ID issuance
• Optional dependent visas

→ Explore how it works: mResidency – Meydan Free Zone

Business license packages start from:

• ‍AED 12,500 (standard)‍
• AED 15,000 (Fawri – fast-track)

→ Check exact pricing through the Meydan Free Zone Cost Calculator

Is Dubai “Expensive”? A Founder’s Perspective

Dubai isn’t a “cheap” city, but for most Indian entrepreneurs it quickly proves to be cost-efficient rather than costly. What you spend here comes with reliability - steady utilities, clean neighbourhoods, predictable bills, safe public spaces, and infrastructure that simply works. That alone removes a huge amount of the friction Indian founders deal with daily in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi or Hyderabad.

There’s no income tax eating into your earnings, no GST on everyday expenses, no unplanned “extras” attached to utilities or services, and no hidden bureaucracy slowing down your life. Your commute shrinks, your tasks get done faster, and your time recovers real value.

So while the headline numbers may look higher than India, the output you get for every dirham - stability, time saved, consistency, and quality of life — is significantly greater. For most founders, Dubai stops feeling “expensive” and starts feeling worth it very quickly.

In Conclusion

Dubai’s cost of living is not a mystery - once you look at public data and understand how the city regulates prices. For Indian entrepreneurs, the numbers make sense when paired with 0% income tax, stable expenses, predictable governance and global reach.

If you're relocating to Dubai to run your business, cost is a factor - clarity is the real advantage.

Explore your business setup options with Meydan Free Zone - Business Setup, or find out your exact cost structure with Meydan Free Zone Cost Calculator.

FAQs

1. Is Dubai expensive for Indian entrepreneurs?

‍Dubai can appear costly at first, but most Indian entrepreneurs find it cost-efficient because of 0% income tax, predictable expenses, reliable infrastructure and no hidden costs.

2. What is the average monthly cost of living in Dubai for Indians?

‍A solo Indian entrepreneur typically spends AED 7,000–12,000/month. A family of three spends AED 12,000–25,000/month, depending on housing and schooling choices.

3. How much does rent cost in Dubai?

‍According to the Dubai Land Department’s RERA Rental Index, 1-bedroom apartments range from AED 45,000–105,000/year, depending on location and building quality.

4. Is food expensive in Dubai compared to India?

‍Groceries are moderately higher, but Indian staples are widely available in major supermarkets. Dubai retail pricing is monitored by the Dubai Statistics Center, keeping costs stable.

5. How much do schools cost in Dubai for Indian families?

‍KHDA data shows Indian curriculum schools start at AED 8,000/year, while international schools range up to AED 110,000/year.

6. Are utilities and internet costly in Dubai?

‍Utilities for most apartments range AED 300–900/month, as per DEWA guidelines. Internet plans from Etisalat and du cost AED 300–450/month.

7. Does Dubai have hidden living costs for expats?

‍No. Dubai’s cost structure is transparent - no GST on daily expenses, no personal income tax, and regulated pricing for utilities, school fees, fuel and public transport.