Cost of Living in Fujairah 2026: Complete Expat Budget Breakdown

Fujairah Cost of Living Overview

Fujairah is the only emirate in the UAE located entirely on the Gulf of Oman's east coast, separated from the rest of the country by the Hajar Mountains. This geographical distinction gives Fujairah a character unlike any other emirate — a quieter, more laid-back coastal city with pristine beaches, world-class diving, and a mountain backdrop that feels more like Oman than the flat desert of the western UAE. For professionals seeking the most peaceful and affordable lifestyle in the Emirates, Fujairah delivers an experience that is fundamentally different from the high-rise bustle of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Based on 2026 data, a single professional can live comfortably in Fujairah on AED 5,000-8,500 per month (approximately USD 1,360-2,310), while a family of four should budget AED 12,000-19,000 per month (USD 3,270-5,170) excluding school fees. These are among the lowest figures in the UAE, making Fujairah the most affordable emirate alongside Ajman for overall cost of living.

Fujairah's cost of living index sits at approximately 40 compared to New York City's baseline of 100. The emirate's economy is based on port operations (Fujairah Port is one of the world's largest bunkering hubs), oil storage, cement manufacturing, stone quarrying, and a growing tourism sector. The Fujairah Free Zone offers competitive business licensing, and the emirate's strategic position on the Gulf of Oman — outside the Strait of Hormuz — gives it unique importance for shipping and logistics.

Housing: The Biggest Expense

Housing in Fujairah is remarkably affordable, with a compact city center and developing residential areas offering modern apartments and villas at prices that are among the lowest in the UAE. The housing market is smaller than the western emirates, reflecting Fujairah's smaller population, but quality has improved significantly with newer developments.

Apartment Rental Prices (Monthly)

• Studio apartment (Fujairah City/Al Faseel): AED 1,000-1,800 — Central area near the Corniche and government buildings. Basic but functional apartments at very low prices.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Al Faseel/Corniche area): AED 1,800-3,000 — Fujairah's main waterfront strip with newer buildings, sea breezes, and walking access to restaurants and shops.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Fujairah City center): AED 1,500-2,500 — Near the main souq, hospital, and commercial area. Mix of older and renovated buildings.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Al Faseel): AED 2,200-3,500 — The most popular residential area for families, near schools and the Corniche.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Merashid/Al Gurfah): AED 1,800-3,000 — Residential areas slightly inland, offering newer apartments at lower prices than the Corniche.
• 3-bedroom apartment (Fujairah City): AED 2,500-4,000 — Spacious family apartments at budget prices comparable to a studio in Dubai.

Villa Rental Prices (Monthly)

• 3-bedroom villa (Al Faseel/Sakamkam): AED 4,000-6,500 — Residential areas near the coast with standalone villas and gardens. Good for families who want space at a fraction of Dubai prices.
• 3-bedroom villa (Al Hayl/Mirbah): AED 3,000-5,000 — Suburban and semi-rural areas north of Fujairah city. Mountain views and a very quiet lifestyle at the lowest villa prices in the UAE.
• 4-bedroom villa (Al Faseel): AED 5,000-8,000 — Larger family homes in the premium residential area near the coast.
• 3-bedroom compound villa (Fujairah area): AED 4,500-7,000 — Gated compounds with shared pools and community areas. Preferred by oil-sector and port workers' families.

Rental Market Essentials

Fujairah's rental market is simple and straightforward:

• Registration: Tenancy contracts must be registered with Fujairah Municipality. Required for visa and utility connections.
• Payment structure: 1-4 cheques annually. Monthly payment is accepted in many properties, and the smaller market means direct landlord-tenant relationships are common.
• Security deposit: Typically 5% of annual rent.
• FEWA: Utilities provided by the Federal Electricity and Water Authority. Deposit of AED 1,000-2,000.
• Negotiation: Fujairah's smaller rental market means vacancies are moderate. Tenants can typically negotiate 5-15% reductions, especially for annual payments or multi-year commitments.

Groceries and Dining

Grocery Costs

Fujairah has adequate grocery options for its size:

• Budget supermarkets (Nesto, Al Maya, Safeer, West Zone): AED 550-850/month for a single person. Good range of basics and South Asian staples at the lowest prices in the UAE.
• Mid-range supermarkets (Lulu, Choithrams): AED 850-1,300/month. Lulu Hypermarket in Fujairah City Centre is the main mid-range option with good international variety.
• Fresh fish market: Fujairah's fish market sells fresh Gulf of Oman catch daily — hammour, kingfish, prawns, and squid at excellent prices. One of the best-value seafood sources in the UAE.

Common item prices:

• Milk (1 liter): AED 5-7
• Bread (loaf): AED 3-7
• Rice (1 kg): AED 4-12
• Chicken breast (1 kg): AED 17-28
• Eggs (dozen): AED 7-12
• Apples (1 kg): AED 6-12
• Water (1.5L bottle): AED 1-2

Dining Out

Fujairah's dining scene is small but offers good value:

• Fast food meal: AED 18-32
• Casual restaurant (per person): AED 20-45
• Mid-range restaurant (2 people, 3 courses): AED 100-220
• Hotel restaurant (per person): AED 70-180
• Cafe coffee: AED 10-18
• Local shawarma/plate: AED 5-10
• Food delivery (average order): AED 20-40 plus AED 3-7 delivery fee

Budget tip: Fujairah's local restaurants near the souq and fish market serve outstanding fresh seafood and South Asian food for AED 8-15 per meal. The Friday Fish Market is a Fujairah institution — buy fresh catch in the morning and have it grilled on the spot. Hotel restaurants along the coast (Le Meridien, Fairmont, Novotel) offer excellent value during summer promotions with 40-60% resident discounts.

Transportation

Fujairah is compact and car-dependent:

Public Transport

• Intercity bus (Fujairah to Dubai/Sharjah): AED 20-30 one way. Limited schedule, typically a few departures daily. Journey time to Dubai: approximately 2 hours via the Hajar Mountains.
• Local buses: Very limited within Fujairah. Not practical for daily use.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Taxi (within Fujairah, 10 km): AED 10-20. Fujairah taxis are metered and very affordable.
• Careem/Uber: Available with limited driver coverage. Longer waits than western emirates.
• Fujairah to Dubai (taxi): AED 200-350 one way.

Private Vehicle

• Fuel (per liter): AED 2.70-3.20 (UAE-wide).
• Car payment (mid-range sedan): AED 1,200-2,500/month.
• Insurance: AED 1,800-3,800/year.
• No tolls: No toll system in Fujairah or on the mountain highway to the western emirates.
• Parking: Free throughout virtually all of Fujairah. Parking is never an issue — a stark contrast to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

A car is essential in Fujairah. However, the city is compact — most daily destinations are within a 10-15 minute drive, keeping fuel costs very low. The scenic drive over the Hajar Mountains to Dubai/Sharjah takes approximately 90-120 minutes.

Utilities

Utilities are provided by FEWA:

• Electricity + Water (apartment): AED 250-700/month. Fujairah's east coast location brings slightly cooler sea breezes and lower peak temperatures than inland cities, which can reduce AC costs compared to Al Ain or western desert areas.
• Electricity + Water (villa): AED 700-1,800/month.
• Internet (Etisalat/du): AED 350-500/month for 100+ Mbps. Etisalat has better coverage in Fujairah; du availability is limited in some areas.
• Mobile phone plan: AED 100-250/month.

Healthcare

Fujairah has adequate healthcare for its size:

• Health insurance: Mandatory. Employer-provided.
• GP consultation (private): AED 100-280 per visit (insurance co-pay AED 20-50).
• Specialist consultation: AED 200-500 per visit.
• Dental checkup: AED 100-250.

The main hospital is Fujairah Hospital (government), supplemented by private clinics including NMC Hospital Fujairah and Thumbay Clinic. For specialized treatment, Dubai and Sharjah hospitals are 90-120 minutes away. Fujairah's healthcare is adequate for routine care, with the understanding that complex medical needs may require travel to larger cities.

Education

Fujairah has a limited but growing school sector:

• International schools (per year): AED 10,000-30,000. British and Indian curricula are the most common. Fewer options than larger emirates but improving.
• Indian curriculum schools (per year): AED 3,500-10,000. The most affordable schooling option in the UAE.
• Nursery/preschool (per month): AED 700-2,200.

School fees in Fujairah are the lowest in the UAE. The selection is limited, with perhaps 10-15 private schools total. Families requiring specific curricula (IB, American) or elite institutions may need to consider boarding or relocating to a larger emirate.

Detailed Monthly Budget Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single Professional (Moderate Lifestyle)

Scenario 2: Couple (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Scenario 3: Family of Four (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Money-Saving Tips for Fujairah

• Buy fish directly from the market: Fujairah's fish market is one of the best in the UAE. Fresh hammour, kingfish, shrimp, and squid at wholesale prices. A full family seafood dinner costs AED 20-35 from the market versus AED 100-200 at a restaurant. Have it cleaned and grilled on site for a small extra fee.
• Leverage hotel resident rates: Fujairah's beach resorts (Le Meridien, Fairmont, Novotel, Radisson) offer excellent resident rates during summer and mid-week. Staycations with beach access and pools can cost AED 200-400/night — a fraction of Dubai hotel prices for comparable quality.
• Explore free east coast beaches: Al Aqah Beach, Sandy Beach, and Dibba's rocky coves are free and among the cleanest in the UAE. Snorkeling at Snoopy Island is free if you bring your own gear (rental is AED 30-50). These free activities make Fujairah's lifestyle disproportionately good for its cost.
• Shop in bulk on western emirate trips: Fujairah's retail options are limited. When you drive to Sharjah or Dubai (which most residents do monthly), stock up on clothing, electronics, and specialty groceries. Plan these trips to coincide with sale seasons for maximum savings.
• Negotiate rent confidently: Fujairah's smaller population and moderate vacancy rates give tenants bargaining power. Always negotiate, and consider offering annual payment for an additional 5-10% reduction.
• Grow your own produce: If you rent a villa, Fujairah's east coast climate (more rainfall than the western coast) is surprisingly favorable for small gardens. Many expat families grow herbs, tomatoes, and chillies, reducing grocery bills and providing a rewarding hobby.