The Cost of Living in Sharjah

Deep within the scorching heat of the Gulf, Sharjah glows like a desert diamond; a city that is a mix of ancient tradition and modernity, a location that investors and families desire to work and raise their children. Behind all that glitz, however, there is the reality check of what it costs to do so, a consideration for prospective immigrants and longer-term residents alike. In this article by Dxboffplan, our intention is to give you a comprehensive look at the cost of living in Sharjah. From accommodation, right down to day-to-day expenses, education, and healthcare, all is covered so that you would be able to acquire a clear, overall view of what living there would cost you. Let’s dive in.

Monthly Cost of living in Sharjah

Sharjah blends contemporary lifestyle with traditional, which makes it appealing for residents and foreigners alike. All of that appeal, however, is expensive, expensive enough so that it is beyond the budget for some foreigners. In line with available statistics and Sharjah’s overall cost of living, mean monthly costs for a four-member household, excluding rent, are almost 10,168.1 AED. For a solitary individual, that would be almost 2,980.2 AED. Below is a more elaborate breakdown:

Renting Property in Sharjah

The biggest cost of living in Sharjah is rent. For instance, a bachelor who is renting a studio apartment within Sharjah will spend anywhere from 17,000 and 25,000 AED annually. These prices indicate the differential rental market and what makes owning an apartment appealing over renting based on a longer-term perspective of housing costs.

Buying Property in Sharjah

Sharjah began allowing expatriates permission to purchase a property on a 99-year-leasehold since 2014. Developments including Aljada, Tilal City, and Maryam Island offer non-GCC foreigners freehold-like titles. Property prices in Sharjah for a studio unit begin at 330,000 AED, while a 2-bedroom unit will be priced at 550,000–750,000 AED, which depends on location and amenities. Buyers enjoy zero property taxes so they don’t need to include that in their cost of living in Sharjah list. There are also lower service charges than Dubai, and proximity to planned family-oriented communities.

Supermarkets of Sharjah

Grocery cost in Sharjah changes and depends on your lifestyle. For instance, 1 liter of milk would be around 6.61 AED, and white bread, a loaf, would be around 4.25 AED. These figures allow people to estimate monthly spending on necessary items.

Utility Bills in Sharjah

Other than rent and food, monthly spending includes utilities as well. For an 85 m² apartment, basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water) average a monthly bill of about 644 AED. Internet is also costly, with a monthly charge for a 60 Mbps and above broadband package averaging around 379 AED.

Sharjah’s Government Charges and Concealed Living Costs

Although there are no income taxes levied by the UAE, Sharjah residents must account for a series of ongoing government charges. On a lease, tenants must also pay a 5% municipality housing fee in Sharjah, added on top of monthly SEWA (Sharjah Electricity and Water) charges. As an example, a 24,000 AED annual rent incurs an extra 100 AED/month in municipality charges. Additionally, there’s a charge for registering a new lease, an amount equal to 4% of annual rent, paid either to landlords or real-estate agents. Security deposits of 1,500–2,000 AED are standard and are returned upon expiry of leases. Opening a SEWA account charges a 1,100–1,500 AED fee, an amount based on house size. Parking is normally free within residential areas but charges a monthly fee in commercial areas.

Transportation Costs within Sharjah

Transport is yet another major aspect of the cost of living in Sharjah. Transport is cheap, and a monthly pass would be roughly 230 AED. If you drive, petrol is roughly 2.66 AED per liter. Car upkeep comes with additional costs in terms of insurance, which would be around 4,000 AED annually, and maintenance fees.

Healthcare Costs in Sharjah

Sharjah is a reliable source of quality health care. However, the cost of healthcare in Sharjah needs to be considered, especially for residents and migrants. Private and government insurance schemes are available for healthcare services at Sharjah. Public insurance is available for 320 AED for individuals above 18 years and 120 AED for children below 10 and covers hospital, out-patient, medicine, and test charges. Private insurance charges are dependent on insurance type and coverage and covers surgery, eye, physiotherapy, and dental care. With various specialist hospitals having world-class instruments and facilities, residents of Sharjah are able to receive top-class health services.

Education Costs in Sharjah

The educational aspect is a significant consideration for families moving to Sharjah. Sharjah does offer various school options, ranging from public to private and international. The school fees are varied, with those of public schools lower. For instance, fees for a private international school’s tuition run anywhere from 12,000 AED up to 50,000 AED a year, based on school reputation and curriculum. Tuition fees for university education are 30,000 AED a year up to 70,000 AED a year.

Recreation and Entertainment in Sharjah

Entertainment and leisure are a necessary complement for a well-balanced life. Sharjah has a number of such options, from cultural to modern entertainment. Museums, galleries, and historic places are plenty there. For the outdoor enthusiast, parks and beaches are there for you and are largely free. On average, a theatre ticket costs 45 AED, and a meal for two at a medium-range restaurant would cost you about 200 AED.

Cost of Public Transport within Sharjah

Sharjah does not possess a metro or tramway and is strongly reliant on buses and personal transport. Mowasalat buses serve all primary living and working areas, yet are often delayed and overcrowded during peak hours. The Mowasalat monthly pass costs 230 AED, yet the network is limited, especially for places such as Al Rahmaniya and Tilal City. Intercity buses traveling into Dubai for work, such as E303 and E311, are cheap (5–15 AED for a single ride) yet experience extreme congestion at terminals, especially peak hours. Taxi prices are low (min. 5 AED, 1.3 AED/km), yet traffic congestion makes it costly. Car travel remains the preferred mode of transport despite petrol, insurance, and maintenance, especially with a family.

Cost of Living in Sharjah for Different Demographics

The lifestyle and demographics are what mainly determine costs of living in Sharjah. A student with shared accommodation would spend 1,800–2,500 AED each month paying for rent, shopping, and transportation. A working professional living alone would spend around 3,000–4,200 AED a month in a studio or 1-bedroom flat. A family of four in a 2 bedroom apartment would need 7,000–10,500 AED each month for school, shopping, and utilities.

Sharjah vs Dubai vs Ajman: A Cost Comparison

Comparing all three northern emirates for living expenses, the cost of living in Sharjah is right down the middle, cheaper than Dubai, yet more expensive than Ajman. A 1-bedroom flat would typically rent for 22,000–30,000 AED a year for Sharjah, and the identical flat would be 18,000–24,000 AED a year for Ajman.

Dubai would be 45,000–65,000 AED a year average for a comparable non-prime location. Groceries are pretty close everywhere within all three emirates, yet eating out is far more expensive overall within Dubai. Sharjah and Ajman are less expensive for utilities because there are fewer high-rise residences and less use of central air-conditioning. Commuting costs on a daily basis could swing the costs into a different direction: since so many of Sharjah’s residents work within Dubai, gas and minutes waiting for traffic add up with uncountable costs. Ajman is cheapest overall, yet Sharjah features newer facilities, better education, and better healthcare system, so if you wish to be frugal without losing a great deal of quality of life, Sharjah is a great choice.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in Sharjah

Now that you know about the solid infrastructure, traditional Arab life and the cost of living in Sharjah, there is a list of pros and cons of living in Sharjah you need to check out:

• Sharjah is particularly known for being family oriented.
• Housing is affordable compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
• Strategic importance due to proximity to Dubai.
• Sharjah is characterized by a comfortable lifestyle and safety.
• Sharjah has a solid industry, perfect for working immigrants.

And now, a few of the disadvantages of living in Sharjah:

• Stricter laws compared to other cities.
• The climate is very hot and humid.
• There is heavy traffic.
• Sharjah’s cost of living can be expensive for newly arrived immigrants.

Last Words

Sharjah, despite being somewhat expensive, possesses benefits that will make it appealing for residents and immigrants. To reap these advantages, financial planning must be done carefully. Intelligent decision-making when it comes to housing, controlling everyday costs, and accessing insurance services can help to keep the cost of living in Sharjah at bay to a large extent. Finally, with the distinctive features mentioned above, investing in Sharjah property market can be a viable option for investors wanting a solid foothold in the UAE real estate scene. With all its distinctive features, this city can be a destination for growth, development, and an enjoyment of life. If you are done with your research and are serious about settling down here, we at Dxboffplan are here to assist and offer a free consultation session on Sharjah real estate trends. Let us guide you with the latest, most exclusive, high returning investment opportunities that would suit your budget.