Breakdown
How it works
Relocation offers should be compared on net pay against local costs. Rent dominates: Dubai rents now rival London while groceries, fuel and services are cheaper. Riyadh and Doha are 20–40% cheaper than Dubai overall; Muscat and Jeddah cheaper still. Income tax (zero in the GCC vs 20–45% in the UK) often matters more than the cost index.
Formula
Worked example
London → Dubai on USD 80,000 net, 35% on rent: rent −5%, other −20% → overall −15% → USD 68,000 keeps the same lifestyle, and it is tax-free.
Frequently asked questions
Why do indices differ from Numbeo or Mercer?
Basket and household type. These indices weight a mid-career professional family with one car and standard housing; a single person or a family with school fees will differ.
What about school fees?
The biggest hidden cost: AED 30,000–100,000 per child a year in Dubai, QAR 30,000–80,000 in Doha. Negotiate an education allowance.
Is healthcare included?
Employers must provide health insurance in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi; dependants are not always covered — budget AED 5,000–15,000 per dependant.