| The Middle East has experienced a drop in inflation | | | | of the 13 basket groups based on expatriate |
| in most cities over the past two years following a | | | | expenditure norms, has fallen dramatically in Dubai |
| few years of relatively high inflation. The strong | | | | in the past year, as a result of over-supply, given |
| link of most regional currencies to the United | | | | the impact of the financial crises. |
| States Dollar has resulted in many regional | | | | The cheapest city surveyed in the Middle East |
| currencies strengthening against other major | | | | (and cheapest in the world) is Sanaa in Yemen |
| currencies. The United States Dollar has | | | | (ranked 282 in the world) with a cost of living |
| strengthened against the Euro by around 21% in | | | | index of 51.76, almost half that of New York |
| the past two years making imports from Europe | | | | which has a cost of living index of 100. |
| into the region cheaper. | | | | Most expensive cities in the Middle East (Global |
| Doha (ranked 69 in the world), with one of the | | | | rank in brackets) |
| highest economic growth rates in the world, is the | | | | 1. Qatar, Doha (69) |
| most expensive city in the Middle East, followed | | | | 2. United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (73) |
| by Abu Dhabi (ranked 73 in the world). | | | | 3. Israel, Jerusalem (76) |
| The largest change in cost of living has been in | | | | 4. Bahrain, Manama (81) |
| Dubai (ranked 131 in the world) with a cost of | | | | 5. Saudi Arabia, Riyadh (123) |
| living index of 82.15 (New York = 100), currently | | | | 6. United Arab Emirates, Dubai (131) |
| the sixth most expensive city surveyed in the | | | | 7. Lebanon, Beirut (138) |
| Middle East, having previously been ranked | | | | 8. Kuwait, Kuwait City (171) |
| amongst the most expensive cities in the region. | | | | 9. Iran, Tehran (172) |
| Household accommodation, which comprises 30% | | | | 10. |