Is Dubai still affordable for people on a tight budget?

Don't go expecting prices like you'd find in a developing country, that's for sure. What a lot of people don't consider is that neighborhoods like Al Barsha or International City cost way less than the marina resorts, and Arab locals eat well while spending little - if you skip the restaurants with a view and the international chains you find decent stuff at normal prices. The real savings though comes from when you go: September to November before the insane heat hits, flights and hotels cost a fraction, while in winter everything's inflated. If you've got really tight budget it might be worth thinking about another destination, but if you can manage with a bit of care Dubai's still doable.

It really depends on what you mean by "affordable" - if you're comparing it to Northern Europe then yeah, you can still find deals, but just getting to Dubai already costs a fair bit and once you're there you'll have to give up certain comforts. What nobody mentions is that the season makes a huge difference: if you can go between May and August when it's scorching hot, hotels and flights drop significantly, otherwise prices stay jacked up year-round. It's worth visiting during the off-season if the heat doesn't bother you.

If you go off-season, like May to September when it's basically an oven, prices drop a lot and you find hotels at half the winter price. People avoid those months but honestly it's not that bad if you're in air-conditioned spaces, and for someone with a really tight budget it's the right window. Another thing a lot of people don't think about: eat at places where migrant workers go, like in the souks or residential areas away from the tourist traps - you spend a tenth of the price and the food's actually better.