Your say: Expensive Dubai

Dubai is now among the top 25 most expensive cities in the world. In a survey released yesterday, the city ranked 25th, up from 73rd place, jumping 48 places in the space of just a year.

This reflects the high inflation rate and a staggering rent hike of between 50 to 80 per cent.

The survey ranks 144 countries, measuring the comparative cost of more than 200 indicators including housing, food and transportation. The most expensive city is Moscow and Asuncion in Paraguay is the least expensive.

How are you coping with the rising cost of living? Is the increase in income sufficient to offset the rise in cost of living? Would the cost of living make you think about leaving Dubai? Would the cost of living stop you from moving to Dubai?

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I have no words to start this topic. All I can do is just watch a major part of my income going on rent and other commodities which are necessities in daily life. I am sure that the authorities are well aware off all this, but still I don't see any action taken to help us. Are there any families left in Dubai? I don't think so. People are forced to send their families back home because they can't afford to keep them here. It's high time the authorities take this matter seriously. If they want us to stay here they have to help us reduce the cost of living.
Ali
By email

Increase in Standard of living is a matter pride not cost. With an ever deteriorating quality of life for the middle class common man there is no charm left in Dubai.
Mohammed
By email

While Dubai ranked no. 25 and Abu Dhabi no. 30 in the most expensive list, in term of quality of life neither of the cities are ranked in top 50. Actually none of the Middle Eastern cities have made top 25.
Saadat
Switzerland

Dubai has become nothing more than an artificial place to live, highly expensive. Rent, petrol and education is hard to achieve with a limited salary.
Salman
By email

The rise in prices and expensive living will stop people from living, working and traveling to Dubai. It should be stopped.
Adeel
By email

Here in the UAE there is no base wage level nor is there any official wage increase to match the inflation rate. If the government had pegged wage rises to the official inflation rate and instructed ALL companies and agencies to follow that line each year, then there would be a lot less problems now and the country would have a far happier work force, if that is indeed one of their goals.
Name withheld
By email

The authorities should act accordingly. House rents are increasing from 25 to 50 percent per year. where will people get the money to compensate that increase when our salaries only increase to a maximum of Dh300 yearly. I myself and my family are going back home to Philippines. Sometimes you cannot blame those people who took a loan and run away. Good luck to those who intend to struggle here.
Rose
By email

Very simple conclusion! If this continues, it will have a big impact on the tourist industry. The economy will collapse and only rich people will be able to afford to stay. Is that what we are seeking?
Behzad
By email

Yes, the cost of living is very high and the increase in income is insufficient, definitely thinking to move if a good job opportunity arises from other countries
Moid
By email

This is no surprise!  The article is just a confirmation of the real scene in Dubai ? ridiculous rent increases, housing fees, rising costs of food, petrol, education, etc. It seems the underlining policy being adopted is to squeeze the expatriates' pockets dry ? which comes to the next question, are there any benefits at all in working beyond your limits, paying off exorbitant fees and various expenses for any transactions, in this supposedly tax-free country? 
Jo-Anne
By email

The survey is absolutely no surprise to people living in the UAE, especially the expat community as we have seen a dramatic shift in the last few years. Earlier more people were trying to bring their families here and now everyone is either leaving or sending their families back. I know that people will deny it, but after living here for seven years I can definately see changes. The higher rents, traffic, lack of parking means that there are very few people who are happy in this state.
Haroon
By email

Yes, Dubai becoming too expensive. It is not good news or a good sign. There should be more low cost buildings in more areas for the poor and middle class, so they can live with their family and be more contented in their work. House rents should be fixed.
Raveendran
By email

There should surely be a rise in salaries in order to cope with the rise in prices which is not being done. Companies should have to give a standard increase in salaries to employees.
Deepa
By email

Cost of living is very high and yet there is no increase of income.  Most families do think now of leaving the UAE.
Lis
By email

How can expats live in dubai? Rents rise every three months as well as gas prices and fuel. How is this possible to live on without a salary increase? Necessary steps should be taken, otherwise everyone will leave dubai.
Raja
India

The 48 place jump is really making people think seriously about their future. This has already been felt by lots of people who are directly effected by this high rising living cost. No doubt there are more expensive cities in the world than Dubai, but we should also keep in mind the environment, immigration and labor laws. The living cost in Dubai is at a peak level for people on lower incomes. If Dubai jumps a few more places up from 48 places, lots of people will really leave Dubai.
Syed
Abu Dhabi

Yes, Dubai is a really expensive place. Prices are getting so high. Where will the people on lower incomes go?
Patrick
By email

With the annual rise in flat rents, increasing prices of prime commodities and fuel, no wonder Dubai jumped to 25th place! If there is no investment in low cost housing and price monitoring, Dubai may jump to 1st place next year.
Reg
By email

I used to live in Dubai and it was not so easy at that time so I left four years ago. It?s a nice place,  but just too costly. Now I am settled in Bombay and much happier.
Monan
By email

Living in Dubai and Abu dhabi with a family is very difficult ? nearly impossible. The increase in house rents is the major nightmare. They should develop low cost housing and provide low income groups with assistance to maintain their families. A major section of the people are now thinking of repatriating their families back home, as they can?t afford to live here.
Subhash  
By email