The cost of living in the UAE has risen over the past few years, but it remains one of the cheapest countries in the region. According to Numbeo's cost of living calculator, you will need to earn an average monthly salary of AED 15,000 to maintain a decent standard of living in the UAE. That is about AED 3,000 more than what ex-pats typically earn in the UAE. The average salary in Dubai is AED 14,500, so it is only about AED 500 short of what you need to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.