Sharjah is one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates and is known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful museums, and family-friendly environment.
Unlike its glittering neighbor Dubai, Sharjah has something better - real affordability that doesn’t force you to sacrifice quality.
Sharjah mixes old-school Emirati traditions with all the modern stuff you need, but at prices that make sense. Doesn’t matter if you’re by yourself, with a partner, or have kids - knowing what things actually cost here helps you plan better.
Ready to see what you’ll actually pay to live in Sharjah in 2025? Let’s jump in.
Housing
Housing takes the biggest bite from your monthly budget in Sharjah. Good news though - you’ll spend way less than Dubai residents while getting nice places to live.
Rent changes depending on where you live, how big your place is, and what amenities come with it. Living downtown costs more, but areas outside still offer good value and convenience.
| Property Type | In City Centre | Outside of Centre |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | AED 2,800 | AED 2,203 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | AED 5,959 | AED 3,763 |
| Studio apartment | AED 1,500-3,000 | AED 1,500-2,500 |
The table below shows approximate housing prices (in US dollars) for different types of properties available in Sharjah.
| Accommodation Cost (approximately) | Premium in $ | Normal in $ | Lower in $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent for House / Apartment | 1400 | 900 | 600 |
| Airbnb (per day cost) | 120 | 90 | 30 |
| Studio Apartment | 900 | 600 | 400 |
| Co-working Space | 500 | 400 | 320 |
| PG | 250 | 220 | 200 |
Want to buy instead of rent? Expect to pay around AED 31,337 per square meter in the city center and AED 20,069 outside the center.
Groceries: Daily Necessities
Grocery shopping in Sharjah won’t empty your wallet. You’ve got plenty of options like Carrefour, Lulu, and Nesto with decent prices.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular, 1 liter) | 4.00-11.00 AED |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.50-6.50 AED |
| Rice (white, 1kg) | 5.00-13.00 AED |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 4.00-22.00 AED |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 20.00-65.00 AED |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 12.00-50.00 AED |
| Beef Round (1kg) | 15.00-50.00 AED |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.00-9.00 AED |
| Banana (1kg) | 5.00-8.00 AED |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.00-8.00 AED |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.00-5.50 AED |
| Potato (1kg) | 2.00-5.00 AED |
| Onion (1kg) | 2.00-6.50 AED |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 3.00-7.00 AED |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 1.50-3.00 AED |
| Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range, bottle) | 23.00-60.00 AED |
| Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 5.00-9.00 AED |
| Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 7.00-20.00 AED |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 20.00-25.00 AED |
Local foods tend to cost less, while imported stuff costs more. Smart tip? Plan meals around local options to save money each week. Living alone? Budget between AED 550-750 monthly for groceries, depending on what and how much you eat.
Dining Out
Sharjah has tons of food options that won’t break your budget. Street food to fancy restaurants - whatever you’re in the mood for, you can find it.
Eating at a basic restaurant costs about AED 20. Taking someone special out for a nice dinner? That’ll run around AED 120 for both of you. Grabbing McDonald’s or similar fast food costs about AED 35.
| Dining Option | Average Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant (meal) | 20.00 |
| Mid-range Restaurant (3-course, 2 people) | 120.00 |
| Fast Food Combo Meal | 35.00 |
| Cappuccino | 16.64 |
| Soft Drink (0.33L) | 3.52 |
Since Sharjah doesn’t allow alcohol, you’ll actually save money compared to other emirates where drinks can get super expensive.
Utilities
Your bills in Sharjah change based on your apartment size, usage habits, and the time of year. Summer months get pricey because of air conditioning costs.
For an average 85m² apartment, expect to pay around AED 723 monthly for basic utilities covering electricity, water, cooling, heating, and garbage. Internet with decent speed runs about AED 377 monthly.
| Utility | Monthly Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Basic Utilities (85m² apt) | 723 |
| Mobile Plan (calls + 10GB data) | 240 |
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited) | 377 |
Got a small apartment? Your utilities might only be AED 400-600 each month. Larger places or villas can jump to AED 1,100-4,000.
Transportation
Sharjah offers cheap public transport, but most people end up using cars because it’s more convenient. A single bus ticket costs around AED 6, while a monthly pass sets you back about AED 150. Taxis start at AED 13.50 and add AED 2.25 for each kilometer.
| Transportation Option | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| One-way Local Transport Ticket | 6.00 |
| Monthly Pass | 150.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 13.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 2.25 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 2.88 |
Commuting to Dubai regularly? Factor in extra transport costs and time. Many people think cheaper housing makes the commute worthwhile.
Education
If you have kids, education becomes a major expense. Sharjah has various school options with different teaching styles. International primary schools cost around AED 22,286 yearly per child. Preschool or kindergarten runs about AED 1,017 monthly.
| Education | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Preschool/Kindergarten (Monthly, 1 Child) | 1,017 |
| International Primary School (Yearly, 1 Child) | 22,286 |
Indian curriculum schools tend to be cheaper (AED 450-1,800 monthly), while British (AED 1,500-3,000) and American schools (AED 1,600-1,800) cost more.
Healthcare
Sharjah has both public and private healthcare. Public options cost less for residents, but most expats choose private for better service. Basic health insurance costs around AED 560-650 yearly. Better coverage jumps to AED 4,000+ per year.
Seeing a doctor typically costs AED 150-400 per visit, depending on which clinic you choose and what specialist you need.
Entertainment
Sharjah offers plenty of fun things to do without spending too much.
Movie tickets cost about AED 47.50. Going to the gym regularly? Budget around AED 231 monthly for membership. Tennis courts cost about AED 140 per hour on weekends.
| Entertainment Option | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club (Monthly, 1 Adult) | 231.25 |
| Cinema Ticket | 47.50 |
| Tennis Court (1 Hour, Weekend) | 140.00 |
Many cultural spots and parks in Sharjah are free or very cheap (AED 5-15), making family outings affordable.
Total Monthly Budget
Your total monthly costs in Sharjah depend on your lifestyle, family size, and housing choices. Here’s a rough estimate:
| Expense Category | Single Person (AED) | Family of Four (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Without Rent | 3,032 | 10,346 |
| With Rent (1BR/3BR City Center) | 5,832-6,232 | 15,835-16,305 |
The average monthly salary in Sharjah sits around AED 7,900, making a comfortable living possible while still saving some money - especially if you’re single or have two incomes.
Why Choose Sharjah? Beyond the Numbers
Sharjah gives you more than just cheaper living. You also get:
- Family-friendly areas with very little crime
- Lots of cultural experiences and historical sites
- Beautiful beaches
- More relaxed pace than Dubai
- Traditional values
These benefits make Sharjah great for families and anyone wanting a balanced lifestyle with both modern conveniences and cultural authenticity.
Is Sharjah Right for You?
Sharjah offers UAE living without UAE prices. You get much lower housing costs, reasonable everyday expenses, and rich cultural surroundings.
The downside? Maybe a longer commute if you work in Dubai, and a more conservative lifestyle than in other emirates. But many people find a unique cultural experience here.
Whether you want to save more money as an expat or find affordable, quality living for your family, Sharjah deserves a serious look for your next move.
What part of Sharjah interests you most? The culture, family-friendly environment, or saving money? Whatever matters to you, this cultural capital probably has something that fits both your lifestyle and your budget.
