Comparing everyday living expenses from one country to another can be quite fascinating. When we look at the costs of everyday essentials like milk, jeans, or utilities, we start to understand the different living standards across the globe. This is easy to grasp since we all need these basic items.
Most of us are also familiar with banking—we’ve probably set up a checking account or applied for a credit card. But things look very different in parts of the Middle East, where modern banking services are not as widespread. For example, many Egyptians don’t have access to banking due to low incomes. The situation is similar in Jordan, where consumer banking is not common, even though loans and credit cards are available.
For tourists, low-interest rates from local banks might not be a big concern. However, the availability of ATMs and card machines is crucial when running low on cash during a vacation. Also, tourists may notice the cost of living differences while they’re shopping for souvenirs and negotiating prices.
We can compare the costs of everyday items in a city like New York with those in four Middle Eastern cities: Amman (Jordan), Doha (Qatar), Cairo (Egypt), and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). While simple price comparisons can’t tell the whole story about economic differences, they are still interesting to look at. The data comes from Numbeo.
Take milk, for example; it’s cheaper in New York than in all four of the Middle Eastern cities, with the price difference ranging from three cents in Cairo to 53 cents in Doha. Bread is more affordable in the Middle East—about $2.00 cheaper per fresh loaf in Amman, Cairo, and Dubai compared to New York. Eggs are priciest in Dubai at $2.66 per dozen, and cheapest in Cairo at $1.60.
Wine shows a large price variation too. A mid-range bottle that costs around $15 in New York could be $4.53 to $7.65 more expensive in Middle Eastern countries, except in Cairo where it’s actually $4.75 cheaper. Clothes and shoes also tend to cost more in Middle Eastern cities compared to New York.
Comparing these costs can be quite engaging!