One of the most common questions we get involve what basic things cost — clothes, your daily caffeine fix, etc. In September/October 2012, we went to Abu Dhabi, UAE, and we went shopping and checked out prices in the following categories — keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list, but a sampling:

• Fast Food
• Coffee & Specialty Drinks at Starbucks
• Groceries
• Clothing & Accessories
• Cosmetics
• Entertainment
• Sports & Activities
• Baby Supplies
• Beauty Services
• Miscellaneous

Note: The exchange rate between the American dollar (US$) and the UAE Dirham (dh or AED) is US$1=AED3.67.

Fast Food

We all know one needs their fast food fix, especially when overseas. Here are the costs at some familiar American chains, although there are many more chains not listed below (e.g., Pizza Hut, TGI Friday's, Applebee's, KFC, etc.):

Burger King

• Whopper Meal – AED18/US$4.90
• Double Whopper Meal – AED22/US$6.00

Subway

• Italian BMT (6-inch) – AED16/US$4.36

McDonald's

• Big Mac Meal – AED17/US$4.63
• McArabia (grilled chicken on flat bread) – AED18/US$4.90

Baskin Robbins

• Kid Scoop – AED6/US$1.63
• Value Scoop – AED8/US$2.18
• Double Scoop – AED10.50/US$2.86

Coffee & Specialty Drinks at Starbucks

The monolithic Starbucks, of course, stands on its own. But if Starbucks isn't your thing, there are also numerous other coffee shops, including Costa Coffee, Caribou Coffee, and — good news for Canadians: Tim Horton's! etc.:

Plain Latte or Cappuccino

• Tall – AED14/US$3.82
• Grande – AED16/US$4.36
• Venti – AED18/US$4.90

Caramel Macchiato, Caffe Mocha, White Chocolate Mocha or Hot Chocolate

• Tall – AED17/US$4.63
• Grande – AED19/US$5.18
• Venti – AED21/US$5.72

Caffe Americano or Brewed Coffee

• Tall – AED12/US$3.27
• Grande – AED14/US$3.82
• Venti – AED16/US$4.36

Tea

Full-Leaf

• Tall – AED11/US$3.00
• Grande – AED12/US$3.27
• Venti – AED13/US$3.54

Tea Latte

• Tall – AED13/US$3.54
• Grande – AED14/US$3.82
• Venti – AED15/US$4.09

Frappuccino

Mocha, White Chocolate Mocha, Chocolate Cream, Caramel or Vanilla Cream

• Tall – AED18/US$4.90
• Grande – AED20/US$4.45
• Venti – AED22/US$6.00

Mocha Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cream or Caramel Mocha

• Tall – AED19/US$5.18
• Grande – AED21/US$5.72
• Venti – AED23/US$6.27

Food

• Muffin – AED12/US$3.27
• Cookies – AED9-10/US$2.45-$2.72
• Croissant – AED10/US$2.72

Groceries

For this search, we went to a Carrefours, which is an international supermarket chain based in France. It is somewhat like a Wal-Mart, selling groceries, electronics, and, in some outlets, lower-end clothing.

• Honey Nut Cheerios (375 g box) – AED11.55/US$3.15
• Kleenex Toilet Paper (12-pack) – AED23/US$6.27
• Lays or Ruffles Potato Chips (28 g package) – AED1.50-2.50/US$.45-$.68
• Evian Bottled Water (500 ml) – AED.60/US$.16
• Coke (330 ml can) – AED1.50/US$.45
• 10 Eggs – AED8.50/US$2.31
• Cheese (1 kg, Cheddar) – AED59.90/US$16.32
• Cheese (1 kg, Emmental) – AED54.90/US$14.96
• Cheese (1 kg, goat) – AED79.90/US$21.77
• Ground Beef (1 kg, product of Australia; cheaper imports are available) – AED28.90/US$7.87
• Salmon Filet (1 kg, product of Norway) – AED63.95/US$17.42
• Salmon Steak (1 kg, product of Norway) @ndash; AED43.95 / $11.98
• Pink Shrimp (1 kg) – AED79.95/US$21.78
• Apples (1 kg Red Delicious, product of USA) – AED9.95/US$2.71
• Apples (1 kg Red Delicious, product of New Zealand) – AED11.95/US$3.26
• Apples (1 kg Granny Smith, product of New Zealand) – AED8.95/US$2.44
• Oranges (1 kg Valencia, product of Egypt) – AED5.95/US$1.62
• Avocados (1 kg, product of Kenya) – AED11.95/US$3.26
• Carrots (1 kg, product of Australia) – AED6.90/US$1.88
• Tomatoes (1 kg, product of Malaysia) – AED6.95/US$1.89
• Tomatoes (1 kg, product of Holland) – AED22.95/US$6.25
• Florida's Choice Orange Juice (1.8 L) – AED17.25/US$4.70
• Baguette (400 g) – AED1.75-2.95/US$.48-$.80
• Multi-Grain Loaf (300 g) – AED3.45-8.50/US$.94-$2.31

Clothing & Accessories

We looked at sellers in the mid-range in this category, but one can also find very inexpensive clothes (e.g., at Carrefours, noted above) or very high-end stores (e.g., Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Burberry, Armani, etc.). For mid-range, there are also other American chains available (e.g., GAP) and European chains (e.g., Zara, Mango). And for the athlete, there are plenty of brand shops, e.g., Nike, Adidas, etc.

La Senza

• Bras – AED99-159/US$26.98-$43.43
• Underwear – AED35-49/US$9.54-$13.35

Aldo

• Boots – AED340-800/US$92.64-$217.98

GAP

• Men's Jeans – AED295/US$80.38
• Men's Plain Cotton Sweater – AED175/US$47.68
• Men's Crewneck Shirt – AED55/US$14.99
• Women's Black Pants – from AED250/US$68.12
• Women's Jeans – AED150-325/US$40.87-$88.56
• Women's Favourite Crewneck – AED45/US$12.26
• Women's Polo Shirt – AED95/US$25.89

Cosmetics

We spread out across the mall to find the costs of cosmetics. Some salespersons refused to divulge information, thinking perhaps that we were spies for a rival. Supermarkets also have typical brands sold in North American pharmacies (e.g., L'Oreal, Nivea, etc.).

Note: People with very fair complexions sometimes have difficulty finding make-up to match their skin tones, except among the rather expensive varieties.

Also, somewhat strangely, our Western contacts also report that it is difficult to find the "long-wearing" variety of make-up (which is often preferred in the heat/humidity), except among the rather expensive varieties.

The Body Shop

• Lipstick – AED62/US$16.89
• Moisturizer (50 ml) – AED60-85/US$16.35-$23.16
• Mascara – AED50-70/US$13.62-$19.07
• Blush – AED65-110/US$17.71-$29.97
• Foundation (30 ml liquid) – AED90-100/US$24.52-$27.25
• Soap – AED142/US$38.69

MAC

• Lipstick – AED95/US$25.89
• Moisturizer (50 ml) – AED149/US$40.60
• Mascara – AED105/US$28.61
• Blush – AED100/US$27.25
• Foundation (30 ml) – AED157/US$42.78

Clarins

• Lipstick – AED115-120/US$31.34-$32.70
• Moisturizer (50 ml) – AED370-550/US$100.82-$149.86
• Mascara – AED125/US$34.06
• Blush – AED179/US$48.77
• Foundation (30 ml) – AED179-187/US$48.77-$50.95

Estee Lauder

• Lipstick – AED121/US$32.97
• Moisturizer (50 ml) – AED246/US$67.03
• Mascara – AED158/US$43.05
• Foundation (30 ml) – AED202/US$55.04

Yves Saint Laurent

• Lipstick – AED140-165/US$38.15-$$44.96
• Moisturizer (50 ml) – AED500-700/US$136.24-$190.74
• Mascara – AED170/US$46.32
• Blush – AED200/US$54.55
• Foundation (30 ml) – AED225/US$61.31

Entertainment

Want to see a film? Perhaps listen to music?

Movie Theatre

• Regular – AED35/US$9.54
  
• VIP – AED40/US$10.90
  
• Regular 3D – AED47/US$12.81
  
• VIP 3D – AED57/US$15.53

DVDs

• Movies – AED39.90-49.90/US$10.87-$13.60

CDs

• CD – AED25-105/US$6.81-$28.61

Games

• Call of Duty PS3 – AED219/US$59.67

Sports & Activities

Ice Skating (MarinaMall)

• Per hour (with skates) – AED40/US$10.90

Baby Supplies

Relocating with a little one? Here are some costs to consider:

Diapers

Pampers Active Baby

• 70 pack, size 5, 11-25 kg – AED73.95/US$20.15

Huggies

• Junior - 65 pack, junior size, 12-25 kg – AED63/US$17.62

Huggies

• 4+ Valu Pack – 62 pack, 9-20 kg - AED59.20/US$16.31

Sanita Bambi (foreign brand)

• 87 pack, 9-20 kg – AED72.55/US$19.77

Formula

Nestle Nan 2

• from 6 months, 400 g – AED31.25/US$8.51

Similac

• from 6 months, 400 g – AED28.50-32.95/US$7.77-$8.98

Equipment

• Strollers (regular) (did not note brands) – AED150-400/US$40.87-$109
• Stroller (running/jogging) – AED829/US$225.89
• Baby Seat (did not note brands) – AED199-239/US$53.23-$65.13

Beauty Services

Hair Salon

• Cut, Colour and Highlights – AED500-700/US$136.25-$190.74

Notes:

Prices were checked in September/October 2012; prices are subject to change.

Furnishing a place? See our article: Furnishing Your New Abode in Abu Dhabi.