What is the basic cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah

• Types of Expenses in RAK
• Total Cost for Singles
• Total Cost for Couples
• Total Cost for a Family of Four
• FAQs

Over the years, Ras Al Khaimah has gained popularity for its affordable, family-oriented lifestyle. As the emirate has developed in terms of infrastructure, housing options, and entertainment, more and more residents are choosing to live in RAK. If you also plan to move to the city, here is a detailed guide on the cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

TYPES OF EXPENSES IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

We have categorised the expenses into eight sections to offer you an overview of the cost of living in RAK:

• Housing
• Groceries
• Utilities
• Transport
• Schooling
• Healthcare
• Entertainment
• Househelp

Before we analyse each category, please remember that these costs are subject to change based on your lifestyle choices and personal preferences.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the different living expenses in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

HOUSING

When calculating the average cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah, housing is the most important expense.

Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of rental housing options for residents, from budget-friendly apartments to upscale villas. Hence, your housing expenses in Ras Al Khaimah would differ based on the area and type of property you choose. 

• Apartments in waterfront communities like Al Marjan Island have higher average rents, about AED 3,083. However, flats in areas like Al Nakheel have monthly rents averaging at AED 1,333, making them ideal for budget-conscious tenants.

• Families who prefer to live in rental villas can consider communities like Al Dhait for affordable options, with monthly rents averaging at AED 4,667. Areas like Mina Al Arab have expensive rental villas that cost upwards of AED 8,500 per month.

You can also add the cost to register tenancy contract online in Ras Al Khaimah; AED 25 and 5% of the lease contract amount.

GROCERIES

Grocery shopping is another monthly expense that adds to the cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah. Many supermarkets in RAK offer a diverse range of products, from fruits to meat.

• Your average grocery bill in Ras Al Khaimah will differ significantly based on your food preferences and where you shop.

• If you shop from Lulu or Carrefour supermarkets in RAK, your grocery cost will be lower than that of high-end chains like Spinneys or Choithrams. Opting for imported food items or expensive meat cuts also adds to your grocery bill. For example, 1 kg of beef fillet steak from New Zealand will cost AED 179. This could be priced lower or higher, depending on where you buy it.

• If you want to reduce your grocery cost further, buy local seasonal produce and grab bundle offers and discounts from respective stores.

GROCERY ITEM	COST (AED)
GROCERY ITEM Milk (1 litre)	COST (AED) 5.96
GROCERY ITEM Loaf of White Bread (500 g)	COST (AED) 4.59
GROCERY ITEM White Rice (1 kg)	COST (AED) 7.32
GROCERY ITEM Eggs (12, Regular)	COST (AED) 8.40
GROCERY ITEM Local Cheese (1 kg)	COST (AED) 27
GROCERY ITEM Chicken Breast (1 kg)	COST (AED) 25
GROCERY ITEM Apples (1 kg)	COST (AED) 7.54
GROCERY ITEM Bananas (1 kg)	COST (AED) 6.85
GROCERY ITEM Oranges (1 kg)	COST (AED) 5.42
GROCERY ITEM Tomatoes (1 kg)	COST (AED) 4.38
GROCERY ITEM Potatoes (1 kg)	COST (AED) 3.42
GROCERY ITEM Onion (1 kg)	COST (AED) 3.80
GROCERY ITEM Lettuce (1 head)	COST (AED) 5.08
GROCERY ITEM Jam (340 g)	COST (AED) 17.60

UTILITIES

The cost of utilities in RAK includes electricity and water bills (managed by Etihad Water and Electricity -Etihad WE), TV and internet package and mobile tariff. Your average living cost will differ based on your consumption of these utilities. 

• For instance, your average monthly electricity bill will be relatively higher in summer due to air-conditioning.

• Similarly, your monthly water bill will increase further if you live in a rental villa with a garden and a private pool.

• For TV and internet, residents can opt for packages offered by du and Etisalat.

DU

• A basic package by du will get you basic TV channels, free calls to UAE landlines and an internet download speed of 500 Mbps for AED 389 per month (excluding VAT).
• However, an advanced package with a 1 Gbps download speed and basic TV channels will cost you AED 689 monthly.
• You can save more money with du’s exclusive online offers – check the official website for more information.

ETISALAT

• Residents can also choose eLife packages offered by Etisalat: Their ultra-fast fibre internet package (500 Mbps download speed and 187+ HD TV channels) starts from AED 429 per month.
• Those who want a download speed of 750 Mbps or 1G can opt for more advanced packages, starting from AED 639 per month.
• Etisalat also runs promotional offers which can help you save more money.

• The cost of postpaid plans in RAK starts from AED 125 and goes up to AED 1,000 monthly.

UTILITY	COST
UTILITY Basic Utilities for 900 sq.ft apartment (Electricity, Water, Cooling & Garbage)	COST AED 275
UTILITY Basic Internet and TV package	COST AED 389 – AED 429 per month
UTILITY Premium Internet and TV package	COST AED 639 – AED 689 per month
UTILITY Basic Mobile Postpaid Plan	COST AED 125+ per month
UTILITY Premium Mobile Postpaid Plan	COST AED 500+ per month

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is another major factor contributing to the cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah. Whether you drive your car or use public transport to commute in the city, the monthly expenses will depend on the frequency and duration of your travel.

• The fuel price in the UAE is lower than in the rest of the world, but your car model and how often and far you travel will add to your transportation cost in RAK.

• Another factor that residents must consider is their commuting frequency to other emirates. For instance, those who live in RAK and work in Dubai are likely to have higher monthly transport costs than those who don’t have to travel for work to other emirates.

• If you want to save on your cost, opt for public transport in RAK. You can travel by taxi. The fare varies as per the distance travelled. The fare of an internal bus/inter-city bus starts from AED 5.
  • If you frequently use a bus to get around RAK, get an E-SAQR card which gives a credit of AED 10 – AED 20, depending on your card type.
  • E-SAQR is available in three categories: blue (all users), silver (university students and senior citizens above 60 years old) and gold (people of determination).

TRANSPORT SERVICE	COST
TRANSPORT SERVICE Petrol (1 litre)	COST AED 2.59
TRANSPORT SERVICE Taxi (1 km, Normal Tariff)	COST AED 4
TRANSPORT SERVICE One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	COST AED 5 – AED 10
TRANSPORT SERVICE E-SAQR Card	COST From AED 20-AED 30, Free (People of determination)

SCHOOLING

Families must also consider the school fees when calculating their monthly living costs in Ras Al Khaimah.

• There is a wide choice of schools in Ras Al Khaimah, catering to different curricula and budgets. Overall, the average school fees in Ras Al Khaimah are more affordable than in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

• Parents looking for affordable schooling options can consider Pakistani or Indian schools in RAK, where the monthly school fee for Grade 6 is around AED 400– AED 600.

• On average, those who want to send their children to British and American schools can expect to pay around AED 1,700 to AED 2,500 per month for Grade 6.

Here’s the monthly tuition fees (10 months) for a Grade/Year 6 student in popular schools in Ras Al Khaimah.

SCHOOL	CURRICULUM	FEE RANGE	TUITION FEES PER MONTH
SCHOOL GEMS Westminster School	CURRICULUM British	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 1,697
SCHOOL Ras Al Khaimah American High School	CURRICULUM American	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 2,623
SCHOOL RAK Academy	CURRICULUM British	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 1,700
SCHOOL The WellSpring School	CURRICULUM American	FEE RANGE Expensive	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 3,825
SCHOOL New Indian School	CURRICULUM Indian	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 410
SCHOOL Ideal English School	CURRICULUM Indian	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 445
SCHOOL Scholars Indian School	CURRICULUM Indian	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 579
SCHOOL Pakistan Higher Secondary School	CURRICULUM Pakistani	FEE RANGE Affordable	TUITION FEES PER MONTH AED 380

HEALTHCARE

Health insurance is essential for all the residents of the UAE. As a common practice, employers provide health insurance to their employees. However, you must buy a package if the employer-provided insurance does not cover your family.

• The medical insurance premiums in Ras Al Khaimah will vary depending on the level of coverage and benefits. 

• The basic cost of health insurance in RAK for a single person starts from AED 500 from affordable providers such as Noor Takaful. However, a more comprehensive plan from a premium provider such as AXA starts from AED 2,250 for a single person and can reach up to AED 13,000 for worldwide coverage and other benefits.

ENTERTAINMENT

Over the years, Ras Al Khaimah has developed into a premier leisure destination within the UAE, thanks to its beachfront and desert resorts, golf courses, theme parks and outdoor spots.

• Residents have a choice of activities in RAK to enjoy, whether they want to splurge or save. Beaches and parks in RAK can be your best bet!
• Foodies can head to these casual and fine-dining restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah that offer a diverse range of cuisines, from Indian to Chinese.
• Make sure to allocate a monthly budget for leisure activities and entertainment, as this will impact your cost of living in the emirate.

ENTERTAINMENT	COST
ENTERTAINMENT Movie Ticket for One	COST AED 37
ENTERTAINMENT Gym Membership for One Month	COST From AED 139
ENTERTAINMENT Meal for One (Affordable Restaurant)	COST AED 27.5
ENTERTAINMENT Meal for Two (Mid-range Restaurant, Three Courses)	COST AED 250
ENTERTAINMENT Meal for Two (Fine-Dining Restaurant, Three Courses)	COST AED AED 500 – AED 1,000

HOUSE HELP

Many families choose to sponsor a maid in Ras Al Khaimah. If you also want to sponsor house help, know that you will have to renew their visa after every two years, which will add to your cost of living.  

• You must apply for domestic help sponsorships via TADBEER, which starts from AED 10,000, with no renewal charges. The cost doesn’t include the monthly salary of house help, which ranges from AED 1,500 to AED 3,000, depending on the nature of their job.

• On average, you can hire a helper part-time at hourly charges of AED 22 – AED 30.

SO WHAT’S THE AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE?

Now that we’re aware of the major expenses, let’s look at the cost of living in RAK for singles, couples and families.

RAK COST OF LIVING BREAKDOWN BY FAMILY SIZE

AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAK FOR A SINGLE

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (PER MONTH)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Housing	COST (PER MONTH) Studios: AED 1,333 (Al Nakheel), AED 2,083 (Al Marjan Island)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Groceries	COST (PER MONTH) AED 450
TYPE OF EXPENSE Utilities	COST (PER MONTH) AED 400 – AED 700
TYPE OF EXPENSE Total	COST (PER MONTH) AED 2.1k – AED 3.2k

The cost of living in RAK as a bachelor ranges between AED 2,100 and AED 3,200. This amount does not include transportation costs or other services like cleaning and laundry.

• Regarding housing, singles can rent studios in RAK. The rent of studios varies based on the type of area. 
  • A studio flat for rent in Al Nakheel is available for AED 1,333 monthly. A rental studio apartment in Al Marjan Island costs around AED 2,083 per month. 

• The monthly utility cost for a bachelor living in a studio ranges from AED 400 to AED 700. This covers utility bills, mobile, internet and TV expenses.

• Buying groceries will cost around AED 450, depending on your preferences.

• Transportation is another cost you must consider when calculating your monthly expenses for living in RAK as a bachelor.
  • You can expect to pay AED 30 for an E-SAQR in RAK (rechargeable as needed).
  • Singles who want to drive must also factor in the cost of getting a driving licence in RAK and fuel expenditure in their monthly budget.

AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAK FOR A COUPLE

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (PER MONTH)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Housing	COST (PER MONTH) 1 BHK Apt: AED 1,833 (Al Nakheel), AED 3,083 (Al Marjan Island)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Groceries	COST (PER MONTH) AED 900
TYPE OF EXPENSE Utilities	COST (PER MONTH) AED 650 – AED 950
TYPE OF EXPENSE Total	COST (PER MONTH) AED 3.3k – AED 4.9k

Married couples can easily enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in RAK for AED 3,300 to AED 4,900 per month.

• As far as the housing is concerned, most couples prefer to rent 1-bedroom flats in Ras Al Khaimah.
  • The average monthly rent of 1-bed apartments in Al Nakheel is AED 1,833, whereas 1-bed flats in Al Marjan Island are available for an average rent of AED 3,083 per month.

• Couples will have to pay as low as AED 650 for utilities.
• The cost of groceries will be around AED 900.

AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN RAK FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR

TYPE OF EXPENSE	COST (PER MONTH)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Housing	COST (PER MONTH) 3 BHK Villa: AED 4,666 (Al Dhait), AED 8,916 (Mina Al Arab)
TYPE OF EXPENSE Groceries	COST (PER MONTH) AED 1,800
TYPE OF EXPENSE Utilities	COST (PER MONTH) AED 1,500 – AED 3,000
TYPE OF EXPENSE Total	COST (PER MONTH) AED 7.9k – AED 13.7k

The basic cost of living in RAK for a family of four ranges between AED 7,900 – AED 13,700.

• Villas are a popular choice for housing among families in Ras Al Khaimah. For 3-bedroom villas for rent in Al Dhait, expect to pay AED 4,666. 3-bed villas in Mina Al Arab are available for AED 8,916 per month.

• The utility expenditure of a family of four is around AED 1,500 to AED 3,000.
• The grocery bill for a family of four may come around to AED 1,800.
• Remember that your children’s school fees will also add to your monthly expenditure. The monthly tuition fee of schools in Ras Al Khaimah is around AED 300 – AED 2,000 per month, depending on the institute you opt for.

FAQs

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AREAS TO RENT PROPERTIES IN RAS AL KHAIMAH?

The popularity of areas varies based on the type of property. For instance, Al Hamra Village, Al Seer and Mina Al Arab are popular areas to rent flats in RAK.

WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVING IN DUBAI?

The cost of living in Dubai depends on multiple factors, including types of expenses (housing, transportation and healthcare) and the number of individuals. A single person’s basic cost of living ranges from AED 3,400 to AED 5,000.

That concludes our guide to the basic cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah for bachelors, couples and families. As you can see, Ras Al Khaimah offers an affordable yet comfortable lifestyle with easy access to lifestyle amenities.

Please note that this guide only covers the starting living expenses in Ras Al Khaimah. Residents can expect additional vacations, children’s after-school activities, and home renovation expenses.

If you are debating between moving to Ras Al Khaimah or Abu Dhabi, compare the expected living expenses in Abu Dhabi to your monthly expenditures of living in the northern emirate.

Other northern emirates such as Sharjah and Ajman are also popular with those looking for a budget-friendly lifestyle. Compare the cost of living in Sharjah vs Ajman to find out which emirate is ideal for you.

Stay tuned to MyBayut for more articles on the cost of living in the UAE.