Are you thinking about moving to Dubai? Is 20 000 AED a good salary in Dubai? Maybe you’re wondering how much money you’ll need to live comfortably there. If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place! a salary of 20000 AED in Dubai 20,000 per month and more is considered very attractive, and it is generally enough to live comfortably in Dubai, especially for a single person or couple. Many people are offered a salary package when they move to Dubai, but they often don’t know much about the cost of living here. In this article on indubaimall, we’ll go through the typical expenses for someone living alone in the city and to answer the question of “Is 20 000 AED a good salary in Dubai?” This will help you understand whether your income will be enough to support your lifestyle.
Is a monthly salary of 20,000 AED enough to live in Dubai?
Is 20 000 AED a good salary in Dubai? In general, a single person in Dubai would need around AED 12,000 to AED 15,000 per month to live comfortably. For a family of three or four, a monthly income of AED 20,000 would cover basic living expenses and allow for savings and some free time. In Dubai, the average monthly salary is around AED 18,000. If you make more than that, you’re in the higher half of earners. Additionally, if your salary includes extra benefits such as housing allowance, medical insurance, or a return airfare allowance, your total income is above the average. People have different ideas about how they want to live – some expats might be happy with making AED 15,000 and enjoying a comfortable, luxurious life, while others who have big debts or important financial responsibilities might feel they need to earn AED 20,000 or more to feel secure.
What does “good salary” mean in Dubai?
A “good salary” in Dubai generally means an income that allows comfortable living, saving, and leisure after covering expenses. The good salary in Dubai in 2025 is quite competitive worldwide because of the absence of income tax and the extra support employers provide. Understanding the good salary in Dubai can help you make smarter choices about your career and moving there. Is 15,000 AED per month a good salary in Dubai? For most people, this starts around 15,000–25,000 AED per month. It’s enough to afford decent housing, transportation, dining out, and some savings. However, what’s considered “good” depends on lifestyle, family size, and location—singles can live well on less, while families may need higher incomes to maintain the same comfort level.
Average salary benchmarks
Average salary benchmarks in Dubai vary by profession and experience, but here’s a general overview as of recent data. These benchmarks exclude housing or schooling allowances, which many employers in Dubai offer as part of total compensation packages
- Overall average salary: 10,000–15,000 AED/month
· Entry-level positions: 5,000–8,000 AED/month
· Mid-level professionals: 12,000–20,000 AED/month
· Senior professionals/managers: 25,000–45,000 AED/month
- Executives/directors: 50,000 AED/month and above
Cost of living and major expense categories
Cost of living and major expense in Dubai all comes down to your decisions, your routines, and what you value most. Dubai offers a fantastic quality of life, featuring top-notch infrastructure, efficient public transportation, a secure environment, and some of the finest services available. However, this high standard of living comes with a significant cost, especially when it comes to housing, education, and the overall cost of living for imported goods. Here are some cost of living in Dubai in 2025:
- A one-bedroom apartment in areas like Dubai Marina or Downtown can range from AED 7,000 to AED 10,000.
- Groceries for a single person typically cost between AED 1,500 and AED 2,000.
- A public transportation or metro pass can cost around AED 300. Dining out occasionally might add another AED 1,000 to the monthly expenses.
- Utilities such as electricity, water, and internet services usually fall between AED 500 and AED 800. A mobile phone plan can range from AED 150 to AED 300.
To maintain a modest lifestyle as outlined above, a single person would need to earn at least $12,000 per month. For a family, the cost of living can be double or even triple that amount, depending on lifestyle choices and the cost of schooling for children.
Additional factors that influence whether AED 20k is “good”
What is a good salary in Dubai per month? Whether a monthly salary of 20,000 AED is seen as “good” in Dubai, it depends on a few important things that we are going to mention in the following:
- family size plays a role
- The location of your house
- Lifestyle
- Housing costs
- Transportation
- Healthcare and education
- Employer benefits
Evaluating AED 20,000/month: what lifestyle can it afford?
With a monthly salary of 20,000 AED, you can maintain a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle in Dubai, but the extent of what you can afford will depend on your living arrangements. Let’s explain it in the following scenario:
Scenario A – Single professional
A single person who is making 20,000 AED can live comfortably and being on his own. he can rent a one-bedroom apartment in a nice area such as JVC, Business Bay, or Al Barsha. He can also spend reasonably on food, fun activities, and staying fit, and still manage to save some money each month. Going on a few trips or hanging out with friends doesn’t cost too much.
Scenario B – Couple / Dual-income household
When both partners work in Dubai and each makes 20,000 AED per month, their total household income is 40,000 AED, which offers a very comfortable upper-middle-class lifestyle. With this income, the couple can afford to live in popular areas like Dubai Marina, Downtown, or Business Bay. Rent for a modern one- or two-bedroom apartment is easy to handle. They can pay for all their everyday costs such as electricity, water, transport, food, and fun activities without worrying about money. Eating out, taking short trips, joining a gym, and enjoying social events all fit into their budget easily
Scenario C – Family (with children)
Is 20,000 AED a good salary in Dubai for family? For a family, 20,000 AED each month can support a simple and affordable way of living, though there’s not much left for luxury or saving a lot. A significant part of the income goes towards renting a bigger home, private education, and medical care. They should carefully manage money and making use of benefits from the employer, such as housing or school fee support, families can maintain a reasonable standard of living. However, how comfortable they feel will largely depend on where they live and how they choose to spend their money.
