Abu Dhabi is Mideast's most expensive city

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is the most expensive Middle Eastern city, according to a survey conducted by the Billion Plus Magazine.

Dubai came second and Beirut third. Sharjah came in as the eighth most expensive Arab city, according to the survey, which was based on the costs of living.

Mifleh Ayyash, Editor-In-Chief of the magazine, said: "We had to convert national currencies to the US dollar in order to make an accurate study."

The study was conducted through a questionnaire comprising selective questions on the living expenses in Arab cities. The questionnaire contained six main groups, including housing, education, health, food, power telecommunications, clothes and transportation.

According to the global estimate on the costs of living, which takes from New York as a comparative city, Dubai ranked 25 on the list of the world's most expensive cities, while Abu Dhabi came 30 and Beirut 32. Dubai, Beirut and Abu Dhabi are among the world's 50 most expensive cities.

Ayyash said: " Despite the high costs of living in Dubai, the study show that Abu Dhabi came first among the most expensive Arab cities due to the price difference in housing and education sectors.

Figures showed that health expenses in Occupied Jerusalem, Beirut and Amman are low compared to GCC cities, while expenses for clothes and transportation proved to be high in Arab cities compared to Gulf cities.