Hong Kong vs. Dubai Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in Hong Kong is around 16% more expensive than living in Dubai (according to crowd sourcing website Expatistan, as of January 2016).
But of course, it’s not as simple as taking a general snapshot of prices and comparing them, as we all lead highly individual lifestyles.
Some of us have kids, some don’t. Some like to eat out on a regular basis, others prepare most of their food at home. And of course, the way you lead your social life will have a large bearing on how much spare cash you need to live in a certain city.
So, let’s break down the cost of living into various different components. We use the up-to-the-minute data provided by the above mentioned Expatistan, and also the similar crowd sourcing website, Numbeo.
Housing
When it comes to renting a property in each city, there’s not a huge amount of difference – around 1-3% – with Hong Kong being slightly dearer.
However, when it comes to purchasing a property, there’s a massive price gap. Dubai wins hands down – properties in Hong Kong will set you back an incredible 80+% more than in the UAE city.
There are many ways to start your property search in either location. Most begin online, and the websites Dubizzle and Property Finder are a good choice for Dubai.
In Hong Kong, check out Hong Kong Homes and Go Home as good starting points.
Utilities
Sadly, bills are part and parcel of living anywhere in the world. We all need to heat our homes, have electricity, water, Internet, TV, and various other amenities.
Dubai wins the race here, with basic utilities coming in at around 20% less than in Hong Kong. However, when looking at Internet tariffs, Dubai comes in at a massive 236% more expensive.
And as for mobile phone tariffs – prepare to swoon, as you’ll pay nearly 300% more in Dubai than in techno friendly Hong Kong…
Food
Apart from a few instances, purchasing food and groceries in Dubai is a lot cheaper than in Hong Kong. For example, milk is almost half the price, and bread around 40% less.
Cheese, chicken, beef, and most fruit and vegetables range from 10 – 50% cheaper in Dubai. Notable exceptions include bananas (21% more expensive) and lettuce (bizarrely, they’re around 75% dearer than in Hong Kong).
However, when it comes to eating out, the tables are turned. A meal for two in an inexpensive restaurant will set you back around 27% more in Dubai than Hong Kong.
Your daily cappuccino is also more expensive (but only by around 1.5%), but for those who drink Coke or Pepsi, it’ll set you back over 50% more in Hong Kong than Dubai.
Bottled water is also far more expensive in Hong Kong, by over 60%.
Transport
Both cities have public transport. In Hong Kong it’s the MTR, and provides an exceptional service, covering pretty much all of the city and island. It offers excellent value for money and is fast, clean, and efficient.
For the best value, purchase an Octopus Card. This is a rechargeable payment card that provides fares around 5% cheaper, and does away with the need to purchase individual tickets.
You can also make purchases in various shops, such as convenience stores and supermarkets.
Dubai does not have such a wonderful system, yet – although it is possible to get around without having your own transport. There is a metro system that opened in 2009 – the Dubai Metro.
This is a driverless, fully automated train system that covers the city centre. More lines are planned for the future. Other ways of travelling around Dubai include buses, trams, boats, and taxis.
A monthly pass in Hong Kong for the public transport comes in slightly cheaper than that in Dubai, by around 8.5%. Taxis, on the other hand, cost far less in Dubai, by almost 50%.
And if you’re driving your own vehicle, then as to be expected, fuel is far cheaper in oil rich Dubai – by around 72%.
Entertainment and leisure
Both cities do well in the provision of entertainment and leisure facilities. However, for those of you who love the gym, it’s going to cost you around 15-20% more to feed your habit in Dubai than in Hong Kong.
And if tennis is your thing, then hiring a court for an hour well set you back an incredible 300% more in the UAE. But when it comes to purchasing fitness equipment, such as trainers, both cities are priced at around the same.
For movie buffs, tickets for international releases are more expensive in Hong Kong, by around 17%.
Salaries
Of course, when comparing the cost of living, it’s also necessary to look at average salaries in both cities. In Hong Kong, the average disposable wage (after tax) is around HK$ 22,049 (10,389 AED).
In Dubai, it’s HK$ 25,161 (11,855 AED) – making those living in Dubai earning an average of 14% more than their Hong Kong counterparts.
There are many job search websites for both cities, for those looking for employment. Jobs in Dubai, Gulf Talent, and BayT are three such websites that specialise in vacancies in Dubai.
For Hong Kong job searchers, check out JobsDB, recruit.com, and CPjobs. The official Hong Kong Government website also offers plenty of practical advice for those seeking employment here.
Schools
One thing that all expats with kids should be aware of is that there are no free schooling opportunities for their children in Dubai.
In Hong Kong, whilst there are a few government funded schools, most of these do not provide a huge amount of instruction in English. So, unless your kids speak Cantonese…
For private international schools in Dubai, a comprehensive list with contact information can be found here. For those in Hong Kong, the official Government website regarding schools is a good place to begin your search.
