Your guide to the cost of living in Ajman vs Sharjah
If you’re looking for affordable living, Sharjah and Ajman are great options. But, if you can’t decide between the two emirates, our guide on the cost of living in Ajman vs Sharjah will aid you in 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.
Cost of living in Ajman vs Sharjah
You might want to live in either of the two emirates for many reasons. 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, Sharjah, attracts many expat families thanks to its excellent educational facilities, proximity to Dubai and affordable properties.
Knowing the detailed Sharjah vs Ajman living cost is essential regardless of where you decide to move. Let’s look closer at the exact Ajman vs. Sharjah living cost for singles, couples and families.
Housing
Are living expenses in Sharjah higher than in Ajman? This question is crucial for anyone picking between the two emirates. While several factors affect living expenses, your house rent takes the biggest share. So, comparing the rental costs in both emirates can help you estimate the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living.
Residents in both cities have a range of rental properties, including flats, villas and townhouses. Let’s start with the cost of living in Sharjah for a bachelor or a single person compared to the same in Ajman.
A single tenant renting a studio in Sharjah can expect to pay between AED 17k to AED 25k annually. The same in Ajman will cost AED 14k.
Similarly, a couple renting a 1-bed flat in Ajman can expect to pay AED 25k to AED 27k. Depending on the area’s popularity, rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sharjah can range from AED 34k to AED 39k per annum.
According to Bayut’s Annual Sharjah Market Report 2023, those looking for flats can consider areas like Muwaileh, Al Nahda, Al Khan and Al Majaz. Those looking for villas for sale in Sharjah can check out Hoshi, Al Tai and Al Jazzat. Villas for rent in Sharjah are also a good option if you don’t want to invest much of your budget in owning a property.
Similarly, Bayut’s Annual Ajman Market Report 2023 reveals that Ajman Downtown, Al Nuaimiya, Emirates City and Al Rashidiya are the most popular areas with flats for rent. In contrast, those searching for villas for rent in Ajman can opt for Al Rawda, Al Mowaihat and Al Al Yasmeen. If you are searching for a permanent residence, you can consider investing in villas for sale in Ajman.
For the initial move, you will have to add the cost of hiring any of the best movers and packers in Sharjah or Ajman.
Groceries
Monthly grocery shopping is an essential expense to consider when it comes to assessing the Sharjah vs Ajman living cost. Your monthly grocery expenses will vary depending on your chosen supermarkets and individual preferences, regardless of your area.
Supermarkets in Sharjah include popular names such as Carrefour, Al Maya Supermarket and Lulu Hypermarket. On the other hand, residents of Ajman can shop at Bee Hypermarket, Big Mart and Sun City Hypermarket. However, major brands like Carrefour and Spinneys are also included in the list of top supermarkets in Ajman.
To understand how much groceries may cost in both cities, compare living in Ajman and Sharjah according to the prices of essential items.
GROCERY ITEM | COST IN SHARJAH | COST IN AJMAN |
|---|---|---|
GROCERY ITEM Milk (1 litre) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 6.61 | COST IN AJMAN AED 6.33 |
GROCERY ITEM White Bread (1 loaf) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 4.25 | COST IN AJMAN AED 3.45 |
GROCERY ITEM White Rice (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.78 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5 |
GROCERY ITEM Eggs (12, regular) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 8.64 | COST IN AJMAN AED 7.46 |
GROCERY ITEM Local Cheese (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 31.42 | COST IN AJMAN AED 23.75 |
GROCERY ITEM Chicken Fillet (1kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 22.65 | COST IN AJMAN AED 22.33 |
GROCERY ITEM Apples (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 6.84 | COST IN AJMAN AED 6.74 |
GROCERY ITEM Bananas (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.72 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5.14 |
GROCERY ITEM Oranges (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.96 | COST IN AJMAN AED 5.06 |
GROCERY ITEM Tomatoes (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 4.40 | COST IN AJMAN AED 4.64 |
GROCERY ITEM Potatoes (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 3.26 | COST IN AJMAN AED 3.03 |
GROCERY ITEM Onions (1 kg) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 3.03 | COST IN AJMAN AED 2.71 |
GROCERY ITEM Lettuce (1 head) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 5.08 | COST IN AJMAN AED 3.38 |
GROCERY ITEM Water (1.5 litre) | COST IN SHARJAH AED 1.87 | COST IN AJMAN AED 1.92 |
Utilities
Apart from housing rent, tenants must consider the electricity and water connection in their Ajman vs Sharjah living cost total. The Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) takes care of the distribution of electricity and water in Ajman, while in Sharjah, the same is offered by the SEWA Sharjah.
The cost of utilities in Ajman and Sharjah is quite similar. Regardless of the residence size, the difference in utility bills between the two emirates is negligible. Internet and phone plans also have the same pricing structure across both emirates, offered by the same telecommunication providers.
The table below shows the difference between the cost of living in Sharjah and Ajman when it comes to utilities:
Utilities | Cost in Sharjah | Cost in Ajman |
|---|---|---|
Utilities Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 914 sq. ft. apartment | Cost in Sharjah AED 642.78 | Cost in Ajman AED 557.61 |
Utilities Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10 GB+ data | Cost in Sharjah AED 220.56 | Cost in Ajman AED 243.18 |
Utilities Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | Cost in Sharjah AED 340.43 | Cost in Ajman AED 316.56 |
Education
Tuition fees are a crucial consideration 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.
Private schools are the preferred choice for expat families in Sharjah and Ajman. Residents favour schools with IB, British, American and Indian curricula. Both emirates offer a range of private schooling options for families, catering to various budgets.
The table below compares monthly tuition fees for ten months in popular schools in Ajman and Sharjah for students in the 6th grade. As we can see, schools in Sharjah tend to be a little more expensive than those in Ajman. However, fee structures in both cities are suitable for various budgets.
For example, Indian schools in Sharjah are more affordable, with most top schools costing under AED 1,000 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 |
Location
The cost of living in Ajman compared to Sharjah should also be considered if your workplace is another emirate like Dubai. For instance, Ajman offers a slightly calmer pace of life, about 1 hour and 10 minutes from the bustling centre of Dubai. Conversely, Sharjah sits closer to Dubai, reachable in roughly 51 minutes.
This convenience factor might be a major advantage if you visit Dubai frequently or daily. However, it’s important to consider the broader picture. We’ll now look into the distances between this and neighbouring areas to provide a more comprehensive perspective.
Emirate | Distance from Sharjah | Distance from Ajman |
|---|---|---|
Emirate Dubai | Distance from Sharjah 51 minutes | Distance from Ajman 1 hour and 10 minutes |
Emirate Abu Dhabi | Distance from Sharjah 2 hours and 10 minutes | Distance from Ajman 2 hours and 30 minutes |
Emirate Fujairah | Distance from Sharjah 1 hour and 11 minutes | Distance from Ajman 1 hour and 31 minutes |
Emirate Ras Al Khaimah | Distance from Sharjah 1 hour and 4 minutes | Distance from Ajman 58 minutes |
Emirate Umm Al Quwain | Distance from Sharjah 35 minutes | Distance from Ajman 32 minutes |
Healthcare
Another aspect that factors into the cost of living in Ajman vs Sharjah is health insurance. If your employer does not offer the benefit, you must acquire medical insurance for yourself and your dependents. Medical insurance in the UAE varies in coverage and benefits.
The basic health insurance plan in both emirates costs around AED 560 to AED 650, subject to eligibility requirements. Depending on personal needs, a broader plan for a single person may cost between AED 4,000 and AED 7,000. Check out Sharjah’s top health insurance companies to better understand available medical insurance options in the third-largest emirate.
Transport
Another expense to consider when determining the cost of living in Sharjah vs Ajman is transportation costs. Like the rest of the UAE, most residents in Ajman and Sharjah own private vehicles. The good news is that the petrol price in the UAE applies to both emirates.
A lot of residents also use public transport to commute. Public transport in Sharjah is an integrated system that mainly includes Mowasalat Buses and taxis. 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 – a monthly bus pass costs around AED 250.
Similarly, public transport in Ajman includes taxis and buses with a monthly pass called the MASAAR Card, costing around AED 200. Therefore, the Sharjah vs Ajman cost of living will be higher for those who live in Sharjah and rely on public transport.
House Help
Residents who wish to hire full-time house help must sponsor them and provide medical insurance, which will increase the overall cost of living.
As the legal sponsor, you must apply for your maid’s UAE residence visa, which can cost 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, work scope and other factors.
Residents can also rely on registered agencies for part-time house help, generally charging AED 30 to AED 50 per hour.
Entertainment
Residents will be happy to know that both emirates offer an impressive variety of entertainment options. 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 kayaking or visit a water park with their families. There are also plenty of things to do in Ajman for those who wish to make the emirate their home — from museum visits to water sports.
The cost of popular entertainment in both cities is almost the same.
For example, depending on the type of movie, a cinema ticket will cost AED 30 to AED 45 in both emirates. A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in Ajman will cost AED 100, and the same is true (AED 85) for Sharjah. Public park trips, a popular and affordable activity in both emirates, will cost AED 1 to AED 15 per person. When considering the cost of living in Sharjah vs Ajman, the cost of entertainment must also be added.
FAQS ABOUT LIVING IN SHARJAH VS AJMAN
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COST OF LIVING IN SHARJAH AND AJMAN?
There’s a slight difference between the cost of living in Sharjah and Ajman. It mainly depends on your requirements, personal preferences and lifestyle choices. Generally, 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.
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 offers impressive entertainment, shopping and lifestyle options. The cost of living in Dubai vs Abu Dhabi indicates that living in Dubai is more expensive than in 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 need AED 9,366 to AED 9,967 monthly. You must look at the cost of living in Sharjah or Ajman and decide what is best for you and your family. The difference between living in Sharjah and Ajman, in terms of cost, is not that big.
WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN AJMAN?
Whether you are interested in buying or renting a property in Ajman, these top residential areas in Ajman bring you the best options: Ajman Downtown, Emirates City, Al Nuaimiya, Al Mowaihat, etc.
This concludes our comparison of the cost of living in Sharjah and Ajman. We hope this guide helps you decide which emirate is 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, the cost of living on the Dubai-Sharjah border can help you evaluate budgetary concerns if you plan to rent a home there.
