Dubai vs Las Palmas: cost of living for digital nomads

Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Las Palmas, Spain, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Las Palmas is about 43% cheaper than Dubai for a month of nomad living ($1,800 vs $3,150).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in Las Palmas against $1,750 in Dubai.
  • Dubai scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
  • Internet is faster in Las Palmas: 300 Mbps typical against 250 Mbps.
  • Dubai is arid; Las Palmas is mediterranean.

Dubai wins 1 of the measured lines; Las Palmas wins 7.

LineDubaiLas Palmas
Monthly total (USD)$3,150$1,800
Rent$1,750$900
Food$650$450
Transport$90$45
Coworking$220$130
Safety (out of 10)9/108/10
Internet (Mbps)250300
Climatearidmediterranean
City sizemetromid
Settingcoastisland
Nomad score (out of 10)8/109/10

Las Palmas

Gran Canaria's nomad capital — year-round spring weather, beaches in the city, huge coworking scene.

Compare Dubai with

Compare Las Palmas with

Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.