The cost of living well in Dubai.

Our verdict. Dubai suits a family that wants no personal income tax and a city still gathering wealth: its millionaire count has more than doubled in ten years, the fastest rise in the Atlas. Schools and golf are moderate by London standards. Dubai College charges AED 110,305 for the sixth form, and Dubai Hills Golf Club AED 35,995 a year. The catch is the cost of the waterfront: a four-bedroom villa on Palm Jumeirah averages AED 1.28 million a year in rent, and a berth at the Bvlgari Yacht Club AED 286,000. Next to Abu Dhabi, a Saadiyat villa rents for less than half the Palm figure, and the school costs about a third less.

1. A prime family home, rented2026£262k

   AED 1,280,418 a year · Average annual rent for a 4-bed villa on Palm Jumeirah, as published by a broker from Property Monitor data

   Engel & Völkers UAE, Villa rental prices (Property Monitor data), May 2026 YTD (page updated 21 May 2026)

2. Senior school fees, two children2026-27£45k

   AED 110,305 a year a child · Dubai College, Years 12-13 (Sixth Form) annual tuition

   Dubai College, School Fees, 2026-27 academic year

3. Membership at a leading golf club2026£7,362

   AED 35,995 a year in subscriptions · joining AED 25,000 · Dubai Hills Golf Club, 7-day single: joining AED 25,000 + annual AED 35,995 (VAT inclusive)

   Dubai Hills Golf Club, Membership Options and Benefits 2026 (new joiner form PDF), 2026 membership year

4. A berth for a 20 m yacht2026£58k

   AED 286,000 a year · Bvlgari Yacht Club Dubai, Section C (min 20 m) AED 14,300 per m per year x 20 m; incl. service charge, municipality fee, VAT

   Bvlgari Resort Dubai, Bvlgari Marina annual rates, Annual rates, January 2026

5. A full-time housekeeper or nanny—

   Published prices here date from 2024; ask us for a current figure.

6. Tasting menu for two, twice a month2025£20k

   AED 4,000 a dinner · FZN by Björn Frantzén (3 Michelin stars, Atlantis The Palm), tasting menu AED 2,000 pp x 2, food only

   Restaurant Times, FZN restaurant Dubai, 3 Nov 2025

Figures are published prices, fees and surveys as dated, converted to pounds at the stated rates. They change, vary by home, school year and membership, and are a guide, not a quote. Nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice.

• London£322k+5%
• Monaco£313k+2%
• New York£255k−17%
• Hong Kong£208k−32%
• Miami£176k−43%
• Los Angeles£174k−43%
• Milan£171k−44%
• Paris£160k−48%
• Geneva£152k−50%
• Singapore£147k−52%
• Abu Dhabi£145k−53%
• Amsterdam£120k−61%
• Bangkok£112k−63%
• Riyadh£108k−65%
• Munich£104k−66%
• Manchester£95k−69%
• Lisbon£93k−70%
• Doha£89k−71%
• Muscat£80k−74%
• Marbella£78k−75%
• Phuket£70k−77%
• Jeddah£68k−78%
• Kuala Lumpur£59k−81%
• Manama£36k−88%
• Kuwait City£25k−92%

Pounds at ECB reference rates (Gulf currencies at their dollar pegs) rates of 2026-10-20.