Dubai Ranks 15th Most Expensive City for International Employees in 2024

Globally, Hong Kong retained the top spot in this year’s ranking, followed by Singapore. Dubai has climbed three places to become the 15th most expensive city in the world for international employees, according to the latest survey by Mercer.

The rising cost of living in Dubai, the regional financial capital, is largely due to increasing property rentals, which have surged post-pandemic.

According to Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking, rents for three-bedroom properties increased by 15% year-on-year, and overall rents rose by 21% from 2023 to 2024. This rise is among the highest seen in major cities globally.