If you’re on the lookout for affordable living, Sharjah and Ajman are great options. But, if you can’t decide between the two emirates, our Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living guide is here to aid your decision-making process. Whether you are moving to the UAE or are a longtime resident considering a change of scenery, knowledge of the expected basic living costs in both emirates is invaluable information. Let’s take a look.
Sharjah vs Ajman Cost of Living
There are many reasons why you might want to live in either of the two emirates. The smallest emirate is ideal for those who want to live in Ajman and work in Dubai while saving on housing and other utilities.
The UAE’s cultural capital of Sharjah attracts a large number of expat families, thanks to the emirate’s excellent educational facilities, proximity to Dubai and affordable properties.
Regardless of where you ultimately decide to move, it’s essential to assess the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living. Before we compare different expenses, here is a quick overview of the starting costs associated with life in both emirates:
Now let’s take a closer look at the different costs of living in Sharjah for singles, couples and families. This information has been gathered based on extensive surveys conducted on Numbeo and other local analysts.
Housing
Are living expenses in Sharjah higher than Ajman? This question is crucial for anyone picking between the two emirates. While there are several factors in play regarding living expenses, rent takes the biggest share. So, a comparison of the rental cost in both emirates can help you get an estimate about the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living.
Residents in Sharjah and Ajman have a range of rental properties to choose from, including cosy flats, opulent villas and charming townhouses.
Let’s start with the cost of living in Sharjah for a bachelor or a single person in comparison to the same in Ajman. A single tenant renting a studio in Sharjah can expect to pay between AED 10k to AED 17k for annual rent. The same in Ajman will cost between AED 13k to AED 18k.
Similarly, a couple renting a 1-bed flat in Ajman can expect to pay yearly rent between AED 16k to AED 32k on average. A 1-bedroom apartment in Sharjah will cost tenants between AED 18k to AED 31k per annum, depending on the popularity of the area.
Both Ajman and Sharjah offer an impressive portfolio of rental properties and it is possible to find luxury as well as budget-friendly homes in both emirates.
According to Bayut and dubbizle’s Q3 2021 Sharjah Market Report, those looking for affordable accommodations may consider areas like Bu Tina, Muwaileh and Muwaileh Commercial. A location near the Sharjah and Dubai border makes properties in Al Taawun pricier — but the expense can be well worth it for tenants who regularly commute between the two emirates.
Similarly, tenants searching for flats have also shown interest in the waterfront community of Al Mamzar. This area is in proximity to the Dubai-Sharjah border and is known for its opulent beach-view apartments.
Additionally, if we look at the data in the latest Bayut and dubbizle’s Q3 2021 Ajman Market Report, areas like Al Jurf, Emirates City and Al Mowaihat in Ajman may be suitable for budget-conscious tenants.
At the same time, Al Sawan, Corniche Ajman and Ajman Downtown are other popular areas near the gorgeous Ajman coastline. These areas offer more amenities and are close to leisure destinations in Ajman. However, these areas are more expensive, with higher rent yield per year.
Groceries
Monthly grocery shopping is an essential expense to consider when it comes to assessing the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living.
Your monthly grocery expenses will vary depending on your chosen supermarkets and individual preferences, regardless of the area you live in.
However, when comparing the basic items that are common in most households, the average cost of groceries in Sharjah is slightly higher than Ajman.
Popular supermarket chains like Carrefour and Lulu have several branches in both emirates and offer products at affordable prices.
However, tenants may experience an increase in living costs if they prefer shopping for imported items from premium retailers like Al Maya Supermarket.
To understand how much groceries may cost on average in both cities, you may consider the cost of living in Ajman compared to Sharjah according to the prices of basic items listed below.
GROCERY ITEM | COST IN SHARJAH | COST IN AJMAN |
|---|---|---|
GROCERY ITEM Milk (1 litre) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.90 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5.18 |
GROCERY ITEM White Bread (1 loaf) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 3.60 | COST IN AJMAN AED 2.71 |
GROCERY ITEM White Rice (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.52 | COST IN AJMAN AED 6.86 |
GROCERY ITEM Eggs (12, regular) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 8.95 | COST IN AJMAN AED 7.40 |
GROCERY ITEM Local Cheese (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 38.08 | COST IN AJMAN AED 25 |
GROCERY ITEM Chicken Fillet (1kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 19.66 | COST IN AJMAN AED 17 |
GROCERY ITEM Apples (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 6.95 | COST IN AJMAN AED 6.75 |
GROCERY ITEM Bananas (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.76 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5.36 |
GROCERY ITEM Oranges (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.34 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5.86 |
GROCERY ITEM Tomatoes (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 4.10 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5.29 |
GROCERY ITEM Potatoes (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 3.09 | COST IN AJMAN AED 3.42 |
GROCERY ITEM Onions (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 2.72 | COST IN AJMAN AED 2.93 |
GROCERY ITEM Lettuce (1 head) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 4.44 | COST IN AJMAN AED 4.25 |
GROCERY ITEM Water (1.5 litre) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 2.02 | COST IN AJMAN AED 2 |
GROCERY ITEM TOTAL | COST IN SHARJAH AED 116.13 | COST IN AJMAN AED 100 |
Utilities
Apart from housing rent, tenants must also consider the cost of electricity and water connections. The distribution of electricity and water in Ajman is handled by the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), while in Sharjah, the same is offered by the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA).
There isn’t much difference between the two emirates when it comes to utility costs in Sharjah vs Ajman. For example, an individual renting a studio flat in Sharjah can expect to pay between AED 400 to AED 600 on utility bills, while the same in Ajman might cost around AED 300 to AED 500.
However, while families renting a 3-BHK villa in Sharjah will pay around AED 1,100 to AED 4,000 in utilities, a similar property in Ajman will cost around AED 1,100 to AED 3,500 for the same.
Other utility expenses like the internet and mobile connections cost the same in both emirates as the UAE is served by two major telecommunication providers — Etisalat and Du. For instance, post-paid mobile plans start at AED 125 per month and go up to AED 600 per month, depending on the data package.
PROPERTY TYPE | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (SHARJAH) | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (AJMAN) |
|---|---|---|
PROPERTY TYPE STUDIO | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (SHARJAH) AED 400 – AED 600 | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (AJMAN) AED 300 – AED 500 |
PROPERTY TYPE 1-BED APT | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (SHARJAH) AED 600 – AED 800 | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (AJMAN) AED 500 – AED 800 |
PROPERTY TYPE 3-BED VILLA | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (SHARJAH) AED 1.1k – AED 4k | MONTHLY COST OF UTILITIES (AJMAN) AED 1k – AED 3.5k |
Education
School tuition fees are also a necessary expense for families with school-going children and an essential part of living costs in both emirates. Therefore, it is important to factor in average school fees while determining the cost of living in both emirates.
For expat families in Sharjah and Ajman, private schools are the preferred choice. Residents favour schools with IB, British, American and Indian curricula. Both emirates offer a range of private schooling options for families, catering to a range of budgets.
The table below compares monthly tuition fees for 10 months in popular schools in Ajman and Sharjah for students in the 6th grade. As is apparent, schools in Sharjah tend to be a little more expensive than those in Ajman. However, fee structures in both cities are suitable for a variety of budgets.
For example, Indian schools in Sharjah are more affordable, with most top schools costing around AED 450 in monthly fees for 6th-grade students. The top Indian schools in Ajman have the same relative starting price.
CURRICULUM | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (SHARJAH) | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (AJMAN) |
|---|---|---|
CURRICULUM British | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (SHARJAH) AED 1.5k – AED 3k | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (AJMAN) AED 2.1k – AED 2.7k |
CURRICULUM American | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (SHARJAH) AED 1.6k – AED 1.8k | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (AJMAN) AED 1.2k – AED 1.6k |
CURRICULUM Indian | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (SHARJAH) AED 450 – AED 1.8k | TUITION PER MONTH RANGE (AJMAN) AED 400 – AED 450 |
Healthcare
Another aspect that factors into the cost of living in Ajman and Sharjah is health insurance. You must acquire medical insurance for yourself and your dependents if your employer does not offer the benefit. Medical insurance in the UAE varies on the level of coverage and benefits.
The basic health insurance plan in both emirates costs around AED 560 to AED 650, subject to eligibility requirements. A broader plan for a single person may cost between AED 4,000 to AED 7,000 depending on personal requirements. For a better understanding of available medical insurance options in the third largest emirate, take a look at health insurance companies in Sharjah.
Transport
Another expense to take into account when determining the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living is transportation costs. Like the rest of the UAE, most residents in Ajman and Sharjah own private vehicles. The cost of gasoline is the same for both emirates.
A lot of residents also use public transport for commuting to their places of work and go to other parts of the cities. Public transport in Sharjah is an integrated system that mainly includes Mowasalat Buses and taxi services. It is managed by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA). Moreover, compared to Ajman the cost of public transport in Sharjah is generally higher — with a monthly bus pass costing around AED 225 per month.
Similarly, public transport in Ajman includes taxis and buses with a monthly pass called the MASAAR Card costing around AED 151 to AED 176. Therefore, the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living will be higher for those who live in the former emirate and rely on public transport.
TRANSPORT SERVICE/PRODUCT | COST IN SHARJAH | COST IN AJMAN |
|---|---|---|
TRANSPORT SERVICE/PRODUCT Petrol (1 litre) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 2.60 – AED 2.81 | COST IN AJMAN AED 2.60 – AED 2.81 |
TRANSPORT SERVICE/PRODUCT Taxi (1 km, Normal Tariff) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 3 | COST IN AJMAN AED 1.75 |
TRANSPORT SERVICE/PRODUCT Monthly pass for public transport | COST IN SHARJAH AED 225 | COST IN AJMAN AED 151 – AED 176 |
House Help
Residents who wish to hire full-time house help or maids will need to sponsor and provide them with medical insurance. This will add to the overall cost of living.
As the legal sponsor, you will have to apply for your maid’s UAE residence visa, which can cost you around AED 5k to AED 5.5k. This is a non-refundable deposit payable to the UAE government and excludes the monthly salary, which can be between AED 1.5k to AED 5k depending on the maid’s experience, the scope of work and other factors.
Residents can also rely on registered agencies for part-time house help, which generally charges around AED 30 to AED 50 per hour.
Entertainment
Residents will be happy to know that both emirates offer an impressive variety of entertainment options. Ranging from sandy beaches to fun theme parks and restaurants, there is much to see and do.
For example, those looking for things to do in Sharjah may visit the city’s many historical sites, go on kayaking adventures and visit a water park with the family. There are also plenty of things to do in Ajman for those who wish to make the emirate their home — ranging from museum visits to water sports and more.
The cost of popular entertainment in both cities is the same. For example, depending on the type of movie, a cinema ticket will cost between AED 35 to AED 45 in both emirates. However, while a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in Ajman will cost AED 250, the same is for AED 85 in Sharjah. A trip to the public parks, which is a popular and affordable activity in both emirates, will cost between AED 1 to AED 15 per person.
Which is better – Sharjah or Ajman?
At the end of the day, your cost of living will depend on your immediate requirements, personal preferences and lifestyle choices. On a general note, the cost of schooling and housing rent is understandably higher in Sharjah given its proximity to Dubai and appeal to families. However, it is also possible for budget-conscious individuals and families to lead a life of luxury in Ajman.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS DUBAI MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ABU DHABI?
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two largest emirates in the UAE. One is the commercial and lifestyle hub while Abu Dhabi is the capital and also offers impressive entertainment, shopping and lifestyle options. The cost of living between Dubai vs Abu Dhabi indicates that life in Dubai leans towards being more expensive than the capital city.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF LIVING FOR A FAMILY IN AJMAN VS SHARJAH?
The average cost of living in Sharjah or Ajman depends on several factors. However, if we include groceries, education costs, rent, utilities and other expenses a family of four (two adults and two kids) will cost an estimated AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 per month.
This brings us to the end of our comparison of the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living. We hope this guide helps you decide which emirate can be a suitable home for you.
Before you decide, it is better to consider additional factors that may impact living costs no matter your choice of city. For example, a look at the cost of living on the Dubai-Sharjah border can help you evaluate budgetary concerns if you plan to rent a home in this area.
