Cost of living: Abu Dhabi vs Kochi
A family of four living comfortably in Kochi spends about ₹1.11 L a month, about 84% less than the ₹6.85 L (AED 26,485) the same lifestyle costs in Abu Dhabi. The biggest savings are in rent, school fees and groceries. One cost is higher: petrol.
Abu Dhabi, a month₹6.85 LAED 26,485
Kochi, a month₹1.11 L
Difference84% lessin Kochi
Item by item
| Cost | Abu Dhabi | Kochi | In Kochi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Rent, 2-bedroom apartmenta month | AED 9,000 ≈ ₹2.33 LAED 7,000–AED 13,000Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026) | ₹28,000₹22,000–₹40,000Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026) | 88% less |
| Rent, 3-bedroom apartmenta month | AED 13,000 ≈ ₹3.36 LAED 10,000–AED 19,000Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026) | ₹42,000₹32,000–₹60,000Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026) | 88% less |
| Buying an apartment, price per sq ftper sq ft | AED 1,300 ≈ ₹33,607AED 900–AED 2,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹9,000₹7,000–₹12,000Source: Square Yards, NoBroker, Homebazaar and Knight Frank reports (2025–26) | 73% less |
| Everyday costs | |||
| Groceries, family of foura month | AED 2,900 ≈ ₹74,970AED 2,200–AED 3,800Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹14,000₹10,000–₹20,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 81% less |
| Utilities: electricity, water, cooking gas, interneta month | AED 1,000 ≈ ₹25,852AED 700–AED 1,500Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹3,500₹2,500–₹5,500Source: NRI Landing estimate from state tariffs | 86% less |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantper meal | AED 280 ≈ ₹7,238AED 200–AED 420Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,800₹1,100–₹2,800Source: NRI Landing estimate | 75% less |
| Getting around | |||
| Public transport, one commutera month | AED 100 ≈ ₹2,585AED 80–AED 150Source: Transport authorities' fares (RTA Nol, Riyadh Metro) and NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,500₹900–₹2,400Source: NRI Landing estimate from metro and bus fares | 42% less |
| Petrolper litre | AED 2.75 ≈ ₹71AED 2.50–AED 3.10Source: Official UAE monthly fuel prices; Saudi Aramco | ₹107₹106–₹108Source: Retail prices of the oil marketing companies | 51% more |
| Children | |||
| Private school fees, one childa year | AED 30,000 ≈ ₹7.76 LAED 14,000–AED 80,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,20,000₹60,000–₹2,20,000Source: Careers360 school listings and NRI Landing estimate | 85% less |
| Health | |||
| Doctor's visit (general physician, no insurance)per visit | AED 300 ≈ ₹7,755AED 220–AED 450Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹500₹350–₹800Source: NRI Landing estimate | 94% less |
| Help at home | |||
| Help at homea month | AED 2,800 ≈ ₹72,384AED 2,300–AED 3,500Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹14,000₹10,000–₹18,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 81% less |
Typical cost, with the usual range and the source below it. NRI Landing estimate: our own figure from typical published prices, not yet checked against a single published source. Rupee amounts at ₹95 per US dollar (2026-10-23); the dirham and the riyal are pegged to the dollar.
What the monthly total includes
| For a family of four | Abu Dhabi | Kochi |
|---|---|---|
| Renta 3-bedroom apartment | ₹3.36 L | ₹42,000 |
| Groceries | ₹74,970 | ₹14,000 |
| Utilities | ₹25,852 | ₹3,500 |
| Public transporttwo commuters | ₹5,170 | ₹3,000 |
| Petrol60 litres | ₹4,266 | ₹6,420 |
| Eating outfour dinners out | ₹28,954 | ₹7,200 |
| School feestwo children, yearly fees spread over 12 months | ₹1.29 L | ₹20,000 |
| Doctor's visitsone visit | ₹7,755 | ₹500 |
| Help at home | ₹72,384 | ₹14,000 |
| Total a month | ₹6.85 L | ₹1.11 L |
Compare other cities
Abu Dhabi vs other Indian cities
Will your savings last after the move?
The free retirement planner works it out year by year, with Indian inflation, your children's costs and a stress test.
Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Kochi than in Abu Dhabi?
A family of four living comfortably in Kochi spends about ₹1.11 L a month, about 84% less than the ₹6.85 L (AED 26,485) the same lifestyle costs in Abu Dhabi. The biggest savings are in rent, school fees and groceries. One cost is higher: petrol.
How much is the rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Kochi?
Typically about ₹42,000 a month in a premium gated community in popular family areas (Kakkanad, Edappally, Kaloor, Panampilly Nagar), usually between ₹32,000 and ₹60,000.
Where the numbers come from
Typical costs for a comfortable family in popular areas: Khalifa City, Al Reem Island, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Al Raha in Abu Dhabi; Kakkanad, Edappally, Kaloor, Panampilly Nagar in Kochi. Homes in India are premium gated communities by reputed builders, the kind most returning NRIs choose. Updated October 2026. Estimates for planning, compiled from published reports, listing sites and official fares and tariffs. Check current listings before deciding.
- Rent, 2-bedroom apartment
- Abu Dhabi: Asking rents in popular family communities, converted from yearly rents (2025–26). Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026).
Kochi: Asking rents in premium gated communities by reputed builders (clubhouse, pool, security), the kind most returning NRIs choose, in popular areas near job hubs (2025–26). Society maintenance is often extra. Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026). - Rent, 3-bedroom apartment
- Abu Dhabi: Asking rents in popular family communities, converted from yearly rents (2025–26). Source: Bayut, Property Finder and the Abu Dhabi Rental Index (2026).
Kochi: Asking rents in premium gated communities by reputed builders (clubhouse, pool, security), the kind most returning NRIs choose, in popular areas near job hubs (2025–26). Society maintenance is often extra. Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026). - Buying an apartment, price per sq ft
- Abu Dhabi: Asking prices for apartments in those communities (2025–26). Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: Asking prices for apartments in premium gated projects by reputed builders (per sq ft of super built-up area), from listing sites and property reports (2025–26). Source: Square Yards, NoBroker, Homebazaar and Knight Frank reports (2025–26). - Groceries, family of four
- Abu Dhabi: A family of four's monthly groceries. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: A family of four's monthly groceries, cooking at home. Source: NRI Landing estimate. - Utilities: electricity, water, cooking gas, internet
- Abu Dhabi: Electricity, water and cooling, cooking gas and home internet. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: Electricity (with summer air conditioning), water, cooking gas and home broadband, at state tariffs. Source: NRI Landing estimate from state tariffs. - Public transport, one commuter
- Abu Dhabi: Monthly public transport for one commuter, where a usable network exists. Source: Transport authorities' fares (RTA Nol, Riyadh Metro) and NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: Typical monthly spend on metro and bus for one commuter. Source: NRI Landing estimate from metro and bus fares. - Petrol
- Abu Dhabi: Retail petrol price (set monthly in the UAE; fixed in Saudi Arabia). Source: Official UAE monthly fuel prices; Saudi Aramco.
Kochi: Retail petrol price in the city (2025–26). Source: Retail prices of the oil marketing companies. - Dinner for two, mid-range restaurant
- Abu Dhabi: Dinner for two with three courses at a mid-range restaurant. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
- Private school fees, one child
- Abu Dhabi: Annual fees at a well-regarded private school; Indian-curriculum schools sit at the lower end, British and IB schools at the top. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: Annual fees at a well-regarded CBSE or ICSE day school; international (IB) schools cost about twice as much or more. Source: Careers360 school listings and NRI Landing estimate. - Doctor's visit (general physician, no insurance)
- Abu Dhabi: A general practitioner's consultation without insurance. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: Consultation with a general physician at a private clinic or hospital. Source: NRI Landing estimate. - Help at home
- Abu Dhabi: A full-time live-in housemaid: salary plus a share of visa and other yearly costs. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kochi: A full-time helper for cleaning and cooking (part-time help costs much less). Source: NRI Landing estimate.