Ajman is the capital of the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. Only 18% of the population of Ajman were born here. Indians and Pakistanis make up 37% of the population. Many of the expats living here work in one of the nearby emirates, such as Sharjah or Dubai, which is only 27 miles away. It is a small city with well-preserved historical sites, archaeological digs and museums. For sun-seekers, Ajman is well known for its 10 beautiful white sand beaches and preserved coastal area with mangroves.
If you are considering moving to Ajman, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this cosmopolitan city.
Quick Ajman Facts:
- Population: 405,000 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language: Arabic is the official language of Ajman but English is the most spoken language. There are a host of other languages spoken, including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Tagalog, Persian and Mandarin.
- GDP Per Capita: $43,962.71 USD (2015)
- Dhow Yard: Ajman’s Dhow Yard builds the wooden dhows that have sailed the Arabian Gulf for centuries.
- Currency: Emirati Dirham (AED, Dh). As of early 2023, $1 USD = 3.67 AED, €1 EUR = 3.88 AED, $1 CAD = 2.70 AED, $1 AUD = 2.46 AED, £1 GBP = 4.40 AED
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Ajman
The table below shows the cost of shipping a container to the UAE.
2. Ajman Housing Costs
Accommodation costs are very affordable, whether you are considering buying or renting. This is why many people choose to live in Ajman and commute to Dubai or Sharjah. Prices vary from area to area, but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.
Monthly Rental Prices in Ajman:
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: 2,000+ AED
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: 1,300+ AED
- 3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: 3,400+ AED
- 3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: 2,500+ AED
Ajman Home Purchase Prices:
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: 4,000+ AED
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: 3,000+ AED
Ajman Housing Cost Comparison:
This is how rents in Ajman compare with other cities around the globe.
- London is 77.7% more expensive
- New York is 85.3% more expensive
- Los Angeles is 80.2% more expensive
- Toronto is 69.8% more expensive
- Vancouver is 72% more expensive
- Sydney is 73.9% more expensive
- Melbourne is 62.7% more expensive
- Paris is 66% more expensive
- Dubai is 70.3% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs:
- Share a Flat or House: It is possible to share accommodation in Ajman but it is frowned upon, especially if there are males and females sharing the same flat or house. With a house share, you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. Have a look on Dubizzle and Mitula to find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
- Different Areas – Different Prices: Like all cities in the world, Ajman has some areas that are more desirable than others. Most expats, especially those with families, choose the Corniche area. Unfortunately, there is very little information available on specific areas.
3. Ajman Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Ajman has a reasonable selection of restaurants, bars, clubs and food shops.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: 12.50 – 20.00 AED
- Takeout Coffee: 15.00 – 20.00 AED
- Bottle of Coke: 2.25 – 3.00 AED
- 1L of Milk: 6.00 – 7.00 AED
- Loaf of Bread: 4.00 – 5.00 AED
- 12 Eggs: 7.50 – 15.00 AED
- 1kg Chicken: 18.00 – 20.00 AED
- 1kg Beef: 25.00 – 30.00 AED
- 1kg Apples: 7.00 – 8.00 AED
- 1kg White Rice: 7.00 – 12.00 AED
This is how restaurant prices compare with other major cities in the world.
- New York restaurants are 63.9% more expensive than Ajman.
- Los Angeles restaurants are 59.3% more expensive than Ajman.
- Toronto restaurants are 52.3% more expensive than Ajman.
- Vancouver restaurants are 49.4% more expensive than Ajman.
- London restaurants are 52.8% more expensive than Ajman.
- Sydney restaurants are 53.9% more expensive than Ajman.
- Melbourne restaurants are 51.7% more expensive than Ajman.
- Paris restaurants are 47.6% more expensive than Ajman.
- Dubai restaurants are 49.7% more expensive than Ajman.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know Your Supermarkets: All the supermarkets in Ajman are reasonably priced. The selection of food is not as good as in Dubai, which is why many expats make a weekly shopping trip there. Al Manana Centre Hypermarket and Choitrams are very popular with the residents of Ajman. There are supermarkets which specialise in foods from various countries such as Indian, Pakistan and the Philippines.
- Find Cheap Eats: Veggiebuzz and Lonely Planet all have their own guides to cheap eats in Ajman, which include everything from good curries to burgers.
4. Ajman Alcohol Costs
Note that to purchase alcohol from a store and consume it at home, you need a liquor license. Ajman has some good beachfront hotels with bars and restaurants. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: 8.00 – 35.00 AED
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: 20.00 – 35.00 AED
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: 6.00 – 45.00 AED
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: 10.00 – 50.00 AED
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: 35.00 – 50.00 AED
How To Drink For Less in Ajman:
- Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
- There are many bars, restaurants and clubs that have happy hours at certain times of the day. Have a look at the following site to find somewhere that appeals to you – Trip Advisor.
5. Ajman Transportation Fares
Ajman’s public transportation system consists of buses run by Public Transport Corporation. However, most expats choose to use taxis or their own vehicles.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult single – 5.00 AED
- One-day ticket – 15.00 AED
- Monthly season ticket – 225.00 AED
How To Save Money on Public Transport:
- Cycling and walking are not an option for most of the year in Ajman because of the heat.
6. Cost of Internet in Ajman
There are only two major internet providers in Ajman. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- Du: 272 AED a month (Download speed up to 500 mbps)
- Etisalat: 299 AED a month (Download speed up to 500 mbps)
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
There are only two seasons in Ajman, one is hot and the other is hotter. It has a tropical desert climate with its hottest month, August, having an average maximum temperature of 39°C. January is the coolest month, with an average maximum temperature of 22°C. January is also the wettest month, with an average of 14.5mm of rain falling.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: 160.00 AED
- Summer Dress: 165.00 AED
- Running Shoes (Trainers): 280.00 AED
- Business Shoes: 250.00 AED
- Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): 170 AED
- Deodorant: 13 AED
- Shampoo: 13 AED
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): 10 AED
- Gym Membership: 150 – 30 AED per month
- Movie (cinema) Ticket: 35 – 40 AED
Source: Numbeo
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Ajman
Everyone in Ajman drives on the right. Ajman has a good road system but there are so many vehicles using it, that traffic jams are a daily occurrence.
If you’re moving to Ajman from within the UAE, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new Ajman one.
You can drive in Ajman on an International Driving Licence, however, if you have already been issued a work permit, you need to apply for a UAE license immediately. It depends on which country you are coming from as to whether you will need to take a test or not.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Ajman:
- Volkswagen Golf: 70,000 AED
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): 3.27 AED
- Registration Fee (if any): 450 AED (includes testing, registration and number plates)
Source: Numbeo
Ways To Save Money on Driving in Ajman:
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Dubizzle, Carpoolworld and Storat.
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber and Careem.
9. Taxes in Ajman
There is no tax payable in the UAE on your earned income. Just note that if you are receiving a salary in the UAE, and you are a tax resident in another country, you may be legally obliged to declare that income and pay tax on it. Rules vary from country to country.
There is no sales tax or value-added tax in the UAE. However, there are indirect taxes, such as 10% tax on hotel accommodation and restaurant costs. A tax is also levied on utility bills, which is basically the equivalent of council tax. On the plus side, there is no tax on capital gains or inheritance and no stamp duty on house purchases.
10. Flight Costs from Ajman
If you do make the move to Ajman, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023. Note that everyone flies out of Dubai at the moment, but Ajman has an international airport under construction.
- New York: 1,500 AED
- Los Angeles: 1,800 AED
- London: 450 AED
- Toronto: 1,900 AED
- Vancouver: 2,000 AED
- Sydney: 1,570 AED
- Melbourne: 1,900 AED
- Cape Town: 1,600AED
- Hong Kong: 1,000 AED
Other Tips on Moving to Ajman:
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Ajman but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Moving to Ajman Alone
Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Ajman.
- Meetups: Ajman, Sharjah and Dubai have lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup.com. Join UAE Explorers, Dubai Digital and Tech, Burger Club and many more.
- Attend Local Events: Have a look at the following sites to see how you would like to spend your free time in Ajman – What’s On, Ajman Tourism and Ajman Travel.
12. Moving to Ajman with a Family
For families that love the beach, then Ajman is the place to live. It’s also close to Dubai and everything that buzzing city has to offer, Here’s some extra food for thought.
- New Parents (or parents to be): Check out the local NMC Healthcare and Thumbbay Hospital.
- Live in a Family-friendly Area: Ajman has some lovely apartments on the Corniche which are right on the beach. Unfortunately, there are very few houses available in Ajman.
- Find Things To Do With The Kids: Ajman Travel has some great ideas for activities and events your kids will love. Remember that Dubai is also just a stone’s throw away.
13. Moving to Ajman for Work
Moving to Ajman for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
There are opportunities in banking, construction, the fishing industry, education, healthcare and IT.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: Salaries in Ajman are tax-free. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Ajman, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Dubizzle, Naukrigulf, Indeed and Bayt. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Ajman from Australia
There are a few Australian expats in Ajman.
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Ajman with a city in Australia, you’d be looking at Canberra.
- Join Expat Groups: InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Ajman.
15. Moving to Ajman from Canada
There’s a very small group of Canadians living in Ajman. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.
- Size: If you look at the population size of Ajman and compare it with a city in Canada, you’d be looking at Oshawa.
- Expat Groups: If you are feeling a little homesick and want to meet some people from home, have a look at the following sites – InterNations, Expat.com and Canada International.
16. Moving to Ajman from the United States
There’s a small group of Americans living in Ajman. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: The population size of Ajman is similar to that of New Orleans.
- Expat Groups: If you need a little help settling in or would appreciate a few tips on various aspects of living in Ajman, get in touch with fellow Americans who have already settled in the city. Have a look at InterNations and Expat.com.
17. Moving to Ajman from the United Kingdom
Ajman is home to a small group of Brits. Here are a few extra tips for those of you who are considering joining them.
- Size: If you compare the population size of Ajman with a city in the UK, you would be looking at Kirklees.
- Expat Groups: It always helps to meet like souls when settling into a new area or country. Expat.com and InterNations are useful sites for people from the UK who are living and working in Ajman and the surrounding emirates.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Ajman you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
English 
French 
German 
Italian 
Spanish 
Chinese 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Polish 
Bulgarian 
Czech 
Danish 
Dutch 
Estonian 
Finnish 
Greek 
Hungarian 
Latvian 
Lithuanian 
Romanian 
Russian 
Slovak 
Slovenian 
Swedish 
Turkish 
Korean 
Indonesian 
Norwegian 
Ukrainian