Groceries and clothing etc. cost the same here as in the states. Alcohol costs more but cigarettes are cheaper (AED 5 for Marlboro Lights). An apartment is about two or three times more expensive here and of lower quality. Movie tickets are 30AED per person. McDummies value meal would be around 15AED. Meal for 2 at Pizza Hut: around 60AED. Meal for 2 at a nice Lebanese restaurant: around 100AED. Entry to the worst zoo in the world: 2 AED. Plane ticket to the states around 1300USD. Getting back to the civilized world: priceless.