Where do people in Dubai buy groceries?
Most Dubai residents do a weekly shop at a hypermarket or supermarket, often inside a mall, and top up at the baqala on their street, which usually delivers within the building or neighbourhood. Many also order groceries online for home delivery.
For fresh produce, fish and meat, the Waterfront Market in Deira and the wholesale fruit and vegetable market at Al Aweer draw shoppers looking for lower prices on larger quantities. The Gold Souk and Spice Souk in Deira are the traditional markets, where bargaining is part of buying.
How much do transport and small daily spends cost in Dubai?
The Dubai Metro, tram, buses and water buses use a rechargeable transit card, topped up at stations, and fares depend on how many zones you cross. Taxis and ride-hailing are widely used, and eating or drinking on the metro is not allowed.
Daily spending can vary a lot: a coffee or meal in a mall or hotel costs far more than tea and a sandwich at a small cafeteria in Karama, Deira or Bur Dubai. Tipping is not compulsory; around 10 percent is common in restaurants unless a service charge is already on the bill.
Why do prices in Dubai vary so much between areas?
Dubai prices depend heavily on the setting. Restaurants, cafés and shops in malls, hotels and newer waterfront districts charge noticeably more than older neighbourhoods such as Deira, Karama and Al Satwa, where many residents shop. Imported specialty goods also carry a clear premium.
To stretch a budget, compare the store's own-label products with imported brands, buy produce at the larger markets, and use the metro instead of taxis for longer trips. Supermarket promotions change weekly, so the same item can cost noticeably less from one week to the next.
What things cost in Dubai
| Product | Local product name | Price per unit | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk - 1 L | UHT milk, full fat | AED 6.99 / 1 L | 1 L |
| Eggs - 10 pieces | Standard eggs | AED 7.80 / 10 pieces | 10 pieces, 15 pieces |
| Rice - 1 kg | Basmati rice | AED 16.88 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Pasta - 500 g | Dried pasta | AED 8.36 / 0.5 kg | 500 g, 400 g |
| Bread - 500 g | White sliced bread | AED 5.25 / 0.5 kg | 500 g, 300 g, 600 g, 550 g |
| Cooking oil - 1 L | Sunflower oil | AED 14.63 / 1 L | 1.5 L, 1 L |
| Chicken - 1 kg | Whole fresh chicken | AED 21.50 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 800 g |
| Beef - 1 kg | Boneless beef (cubes / cuts) | AED 56.60 / 1 kg | 500 g |
| Ground beef - 1 kg | Ground beef | AED 65.00 / 1 kg | 500 g, 1 kg |
| Potatoes - 1 kg | Potatoes | AED 4.90 / 1 kg | 500 g |
| Tomatoes - 1 kg | Tomatoes | AED 9.00 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 500 g |
| Onions - 1 kg | Onions | AED 5.59 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 3 kg |
| Bananas - 1 kg | Bananas | AED 9.79 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 500 g |
| Apples - 1 kg | Apples, Gala | AED 12.50 / 1 kg | 1 kg, 600 g |
| Yogurt - 1 kg | Plain full-fat yogurt | AED 7.84 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Drinking water - 1.5 L | Bottled drinking water | AED 1.49 / 1.5 L | 1.5 L, 9 L |
| Shampoo - 400 ml | Shampoo | AED 25.34 / 0.4 L | 400 ml |
| Shower gel - 400 ml | Shower gel | AED 27.40 / 0.4 L | 400 ml |
| Bar soap - 100 g | Bar soap | AED 5.85 / 0.1 kg | 100 g, 125 g |
| Liquid soap - 500 ml | Liquid soap | AED 15.50 / 0.5 L | 500 ml, 1,500 ml |
| Toothpaste - 100 ml | Toothpaste | AED 10.80 / 0.1 L | 100 ml |
| Deodorant - 150 ml | Deodorant | AED 20.60 / 0.15 L | 150 ml |
| Toilet paper - 4 rolls | Toilet paper | AED 13.62 / 4 pieces | 4 pieces |
| Paper towels - 2 rolls | Paper towels | AED 12.34 / 2 pieces | 2 pieces, 4 pieces |
| Laundry detergent - 1.5 L | Laundry detergent | AED 20.54 / 1.5 L | 1.8 L |
| Dishwashing liquid - 500 ml | Dishwashing liquid | AED 8.70 / 0.5 L | 500 ml |
| Trash bags - 20 pieces | Trash bags | AED 13.82 / 20 pieces | 20 pieces |
| Basic cotton T-shirt - 1 piece | Basic cotton T-shirt | AED 49.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Jeans - 1 pair | Jeans | AED 169.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Trousers - 1 pair | Chino or cotton trousers | AED 169.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Shorts - 1 pair | Shorts | AED 89.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Towel - 50 x 90 cm | Towel | AED 9.95 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Single bed linen set - 1 set | Single bed linen set | AED 29.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Pillow - 1 piece | Pillow | AED 14.95 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Blanket - 1 piece | Blanket | AED 12.45 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Frying pan - 24 cm | Frying pan | AED 35.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Cooking pot - 24 cm | Cooking pot | AED 59.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| LED bulb - 9W | LED bulb | AED 14.95 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Instant noodles - 1 pack | Instant noodles | AED 4.30 / 1 piece | 75 g |
| Biscuits - 1 pack | Biscuits | AED 3.89 / 1 piece | 100 g |
| Potato chips - 1 pack | Potato chips | AED 2.89 / 1 piece | 45 g, 50 g |
| Chocolate bar - 1 bar | Chocolate bar | AED 3.69 / 1 piece | 40 g, 42 g, 36.5 g |
| Shirt - 1 piece | Basic long-sleeve shirt | AED 119.00 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
Compared with the other cities
US dollar prices for 42 products that we also have in at least three other cities. The percentage shows the difference from the average of those cities.
Lower in Dubai
- Towel - 50 x 90 cm$2.71-49%
- Single bed linen set - 1 set$7.90-48%
- Blanket - 1 piece$3.39-42%
- Drinking water - 1.5 L$0.41-35%
- Beef - 1 kg$15.41-30%
- Pillow - 1 piece$4.07-28%
Higher in Dubai
- Toilet paper - 4 rolls$3.71+177%
- Paper towels - 2 rolls$3.36+133%
- Instant noodles - 1 pack$1.17+116%
- Rice - 1 kg$4.60+115%
- Liquid soap - 500 ml$4.22+95%
- Trousers - 1 pair$46.02+82%
Local product types can differ between cities. The comparison tool only matches the same product type.
Compare Dubai with another country
Same budget, same products: see where your money goes further.
Insights and guides about Dubai
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How these prices were read
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details. Data & methodology
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Questions people ask
What is the price of milk in Dubai?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was AED 6.99 per 1 L, about $1.90 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of eggs in Dubai?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was AED 7.80 per 10 pieces, about $2.12 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of rice in Dubai?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was AED 16.88 per 1 kg, about $4.60 at that day's reference rate.
How much is US$100 in United arab emirates dirham?
At the reference rate of November 8, 2026, US$100 comes to about AED 367.25.
Which products cost less in Dubai than in the other cities?
By dollar price, the clearest gaps are towel (-49%), single bed linen set (-48%), and blanket (-42%).
How do I pay for the metro in Dubai?
In Dubai, the metro, tram and public buses are paid with a rechargeable transit card that you buy and top up at stations. Fares depend on the number of zones you travel through.
Do I have to tip in Dubai?
Tipping in Dubai is not compulsory. Around 10 percent is common in restaurants if no service charge is already included, and rounding up is usual for taxis and delivery.
Where do these prices come from?
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details.
