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Cost of living in Ras al-Khaimah
Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Ras al-Khaimah.
One person, a month
AED 3,751
Living costs excluding rent
Family of four, a month
AED 13,115
Living costs excluding rent
One-bedroom rent, centre
AED 2,926
A month
Gross salary, one person
AED 73,000
to cover living costs in Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah's cost of living at a glance
Ras al-Khaimah is among the less expensive cities in the UAE but one of the most expensive cities in Asia. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Ras al-Khaimah are AED 3,751, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are AED 13,115 a month, excluding rent.
A single person in Ras al-Khaimah may need a gross salary of at least AED 73,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
One person's monthly costs
Numbeo household estimate in AED, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
How Ras al-Khaimah compares
One person's monthly costs in Ras al-Khaimah, excluding rent, are 5.4% higher than in the typical city in the UAE and 13.3% higher than in the typical city worldwide.
Where Ras al-Khaimah ranks
In the UAE
4th of 6
One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.
In Asia
37th of 407
Cities in Asia with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.
Worldwide
56th percentile
Costs the same as or more than 56% of 1,942 cities: around the middle of the cost range.
One-bedroom rent, centre
4th of 6
Cities in the UAE, most expensive first.
Monthly costs against the typical city
- Ras al-Khaimah
- Typical national city
- Typical city worldwide
Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.
| Monthly cost | Ras al-Khaimah | Typical national city | Typical city worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | AED 2,926 | AED 5,135 −43.0% | AED 2,727 +7.3% |
| Groceries | AED 989 | AED 870 +13.7% | AED 1,032 −4.2% |
| Eating out | AED 526 | AED 535 −1.7% | AED 581 −9.5% |
| Transport | AED 418 | AED 200 +108.8% | AED 147 +184.2% |
| Utilities | AED 786 | AED 910 −13.6% | AED 641 +22.6% |
| Leisure | AED 360 | AED 342 +5.2% | AED 228 +57.9% |
| Total excluding rent | AED 3,751 | AED 3,558 +5.4% | AED 3,311 +13.3% |
| Total including rent | AED 6,678 | AED 8,837 −24.4% | AED 6,145 +8.7% |
Typical = the median of 6 cities in the UAE and 1,942 cities worldwide.
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Explore prices in Ras al-Khaimah
The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.
Renting in Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah is the 3rd cheapest city in the UAE for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in the UAE is Sharjah.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AED 2,926 a month.
Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs AED 2,320 a month.
A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 26% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | AED 2,926 | AED 1,850– |
| 1-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | AED 2,320 | AED 1,500– |
| 3-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | AED 6,027 | AED 3,800– |
| 3-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | AED 4,638 | AED 3,500– |
| Price per m² in the city centre | AED 18,030 | AED 12,917– |
| Price per m² outside the centre | AED 7,131 | AED 6,458– |
Cost of everyday items in Ras al-Khaimah
Groceries in Ras al-Khaimah are around 15% more expensive than the average for the UAE, while eating out is around 2% cheaper than the country average.
A litre of milk typically costs AED 6.06.
A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs AED 7.13.
A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs AED 25.01.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1 litre | AED 6.06 | AED 4.00– |
| Fresh white bread, 500g | AED 7.13 | AED 3.01– |
| Eggs, 12 large | AED 9.04 | AED 5.22– |
| Local cheese, 1kg | AED 46.76 | AED 40.00– |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | AED 35.81 | AED 22.99– |
| Beef round, 1kg | AED 61.27 | AED 40.00– |
| Apples, 1kg | AED 8.01 | AED 5.51– |
| Oranges, 1kg | AED 5.80 | AED 4.00– |
| Potatoes, 1kg | AED 3.75 | AED 1.98– |
| Lettuce, 1 head | AED 6.50 | AED 4.89– |
| White rice, 1kg | AED 6.83 | AED 5.00– |
| Tomatoes, 1kg | AED 5.03 | AED 3.01– |
| Bananas, 1kg | AED 6.39 | AED 5.77– |
| Onions, 1kg | AED 3.60 | AED 1.98– |
| Water, 1.5 litre bottle | AED 1.73 | AED 1.51– |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | AED 49.99 | AED 20.02– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle | AED 9.51 | AED 5.00– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | AED 10.76 | AED 8.01– |
| Cigarettes, 20 pack | AED 25.01 | AED 22.00– |
Eating out in Ras al-Khaimah
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | AED 35.00 | AED 25.01– |
| Three-course meal for two | AED 165 | AED 120– |
| Fast food combo meal | AED 25.01 | AED 25.01– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught | AED 37.50 | AED 30.01– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | AED 35.00 | AED 35.00– |
| Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottle | AED 4.70 | AED 3.01– |
| Water, 0.33 litre bottle | AED 1.91 | AED 0.99– |
| Cappuccino | AED 21.78 | AED 5.99– |
Transport in Ras al-Khaimah
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| One-way public transport ticket | AED 8.01 | AED 5.00– |
| Monthly public transport pass | AED 418 | AED 235– |
| Gasoline, 1 litre | AED 2.83 | AED 2.50– |
| Taxi start | AED 6.13 | AED 5.00– |
| Taxi, per km | AED 3.01 | AED 1.69– |
| Taxi waiting, 1 hour | AED 30.01 | AED 30.01–AED 30.01 |
| Volkswagen Golf, new | AED 166,828 | AED 163,938– |
| Toyota Corolla sedan, new | AED 80,951 | AED 76,900– |
Utilities in Ras al-Khaimah
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment Monthly | AED 452 | AED 331– |
| Broadband internet Monthly | AED 312 | AED 200– |
| Mobile phone plan Monthly | AED 167 | AED 100– |
How is Ras al-Khaimah for families?
A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of AED 213,000 a year in Ras al-Khaimah, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs AED 1,078 a month.
A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AED 6,027 a month.
Ras al-Khaimah scores 86/100 on Numbeo's safety index.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Family of four, excluding rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | AED 13,115 | Not applicable |
| Family of four, including rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | AED 19,141 | Not applicable |
| Private preschool or kindergarten Monthly | AED 1,078 | AED 829– |
| International primary school Annual | AED 16,525 | AED 13,600– |
Leisure and clothing in Ras al-Khaimah
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership Monthly | AED 210 | AED 150– |
| Tennis court rental, 1 hour | AED 150 | AED 49.99– |
| Cinema ticket | AED 48.74 | AED 47.01– |
| Jeans | AED 302 | AED 54.98– |
| Summer dress from a chain store | AED 192 | AED 125– |
| Nike running shoes | AED 463 | AED 186– |
| Men's leather business shoes | AED 425 | AED 173– |
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
What salary do I need to live in Ras al-Khaimah?
By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in the UAE, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Ras al-Khaimah. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Ras al-Khaimah, and where your money goes.
Recommended gross salary
AED 72,855
Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Ras al-Khaimah, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.
- Take-home pay
- AED 72,855
- Living costs
- AED 72,855
- Tax and contributions
- AED 0
| Operator | Item | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | AED 72,855 | |
| − | Income tax and contributions | AED 0 |
| = | Take-home pay | AED 72,855 |
| − | Rent | AED 27,840 |
| − | Groceries | AED 11,865 |
| − | Eating out | AED 6,309 |
| − | Transport | AED 5,010 |
| − | Utilities | AED 9,435 |
| − | Leisure | AED 4,314 |
| − | Other estimated costs | AED 8,081 |
| = | Left over: savings target | AED 0 |
AED 72,855 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 0.0% effective tax rate and AED 0 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.
What the estimate includes
- Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
- National income tax for 2026
What it doesn't include
- Employee social contributions
- Regional, state or local income tax
- Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
- Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
- Bonuses, benefits and other income
- Child care or school unless you choose it
Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.
How each cost is worked out
Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Ras al-Khaimah costs an estimated AED 2,320 per month. AED 2,320 per month × 12 months = AED 27,840 a year.
Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ras al-Khaimah spends an estimated AED 989 on groceries per month. AED 989 per month × 12 months = AED 11,865 a year.
Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ras al-Khaimah spends an estimated AED 526 on eating out per month. AED 526 per month × 12 months = AED 6,309 a year.
Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ras al-Khaimah spends an estimated AED 418 on transport per month. AED 418 per month × 12 months = AED 5,010 a year.
Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ras al-Khaimah spends an estimated AED 786 on utilities per month. AED 786 per month × 12 months = AED 9,435 a year.
Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ras al-Khaimah spends an estimated AED 360 on leisure per month. AED 360 per month × 12 months = AED 4,314 a year.
Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. AED 673 per month × 12 months = AED 8,081 a year.
See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated
Tax estimate assumptions
Tax year 2026. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. Zero personal income tax on employment income. No employee social security for non-GCC/non-UAE nationals. UAE nationals pay 5% employee SS (employer 12.5%, government 2.5%). Abu Dhabi has higher employer rate (15%). Flat unemployment insurance (AED 5-10/month) excluded as it is not income-based. Business income above AED 1M may be subject to 9% corporate tax.
Important
This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, the UAE's tax rules for 2026 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries.
Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.
Cost of living in Ras al-Khaimah: common questions
Is Ras al-Khaimah expensive to live in?
Ras al-Khaimah is among the less expensive cities in the UAE but one of the most expensive cities in Asia.
A single person spends about AED 3,751 a month excluding rent, against AED 3,558 in the typical city in the UAE (the median of 6 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).
Worldwide, Ras al-Khaimah costs the same as or more than 56% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it around the middle of the cost range.
What salary do you need to live in Ras al-Khaimah?
A single person may need a gross salary of at least AED 73,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Ras al-Khaimah, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and the UAE's tax rules for 2026. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.
How much is rent in Ras al-Khaimah?
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AED 2,926 a month, and AED 2,320 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.
A three-bedroom apartment costs about AED 6,027 a month in the centre and AED 4,638 outside it.
Ras al-Khaimah is the 3rd cheapest city in the UAE for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
How much does a family spend in Ras al-Khaimah?
A family of four spends about AED 13,115 a month on living costs excluding rent, or AED 19,141 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.
With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of AED 213,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs AED 1,078 a month per child.
How does Ras al-Khaimah compare with the UAE's other cities?
Ras al-Khaimah ranks 4th of 6 cities in the UAE for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.
Excluding rent, one person's costs are 5.4% more than in the typical city in the UAE.
Where this data comes from
- Living costs and prices
- Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
- Exchange rates
- Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
- Tax rules
- Expatica salary tax calculator, UAE 2026
- Locations and population
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
- Regions for continent ranks
- UN M49 regions
Important
All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.
How living costs and salaries are calculated
- Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
- Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
- "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
- Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
- The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for the UAE (2026). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
- Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
- A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 6 cities in the UAE in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
- Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Ras al-Khaimah's.
- Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
- Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside the UAE and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
- The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.