Cost of Living in Doha

Summary of cost of living in Doha, Qatar:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 8.20 $ 4.10-17.77
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 54.67 $ 32.80-106.60
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 7.65 $ 6.83-9.02
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (1 pint draught) 12.30 $ 5.47-15.03
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (12 oz small bottle) 10.93 $ 6.83-16.40
Cappuccino (regular) 5.63 $ 2.73-8.20
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 0.92 $ 0.62-1.91
Water (12 oz small bottle) 0.36 $ 0.27-1.37
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 7.89 $ 6.21-10.35
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 1.39 $ 0.50-2.48
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.89 $ 0.50-1.86
Eggs (regular) (12) 2.70 $ 1.60-4.92
Local Cheese (1 lb) 4.90 $ 1.86-12.40
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 3.71 $ 1.74-6.45
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 4.74 $ 3.10-6.82
Apples (1 lb) 0.86 $ 0.62-1.05
Banana (1 lb) 0.69 $ 0.50-0.87
Oranges (1 lb) 0.74 $ 0.43-1.24
Tomato (1 lb) 0.56 $ 0.31-0.87
Potato (1 lb) 0.46 $ 0.25-0.62
Onion (1 lb) 0.51 $ 0.25-0.87
Lettuce (1 head) 1.28 $ 0.55-2.73
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.46 $ 0.27-0.82
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range) 13.67 $ 5.47-27.33
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.93 $ 0.82-6.83
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (12 oz small bottle) 5.83 $ 2.19-10.93
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 6.56 $ 5.74-8.20
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 0.55 $ 0.55-1.09
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 38.27 $ 27.06-54.67
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 2.19 $ 1.91-2.73
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 3.96 $ 2.64-5.28
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 10.93 $ 8.20-19.13
Gasoline (1 gallon) 2.15 $ 2.07-2.33
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 23,072.93 $ 17,739.57-24,600.33
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 19,981.99 $ 19,133.59-21,866.96
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 100.07 $ 68.33-174.25
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 45.51 $ 21.87-82.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 89.31 $ 68.33-109.33
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 122.93 $ 54.67-227.69
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 37.89 $ 13.67-54.67
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 12.30 $ 9.57-19.13
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 740.44 $ 410.01-1,230.02
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 10,597.07 $ 6,833.43-13,666.85
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 62.99 $ 21.87-123.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 46.36 $ 21.87-82.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 89.13 $ 54.67-136.67
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 95.07 $ 43.73-150.34
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 1,665.88 $ 1,093.35-2,596.70
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 1,030.48 $ 765.34-1,640.02
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 3,002.80 $ 2,050.03-4,305.06
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 1,967.17 $ 1,366.69-3,280.04
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 475.43 $ 292.03-914.17
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 398.36 $ 253.94-660.23
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 3,498.64 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 5.03 2.86-7.15

Prices in Doha

This city had 2137 entries in the past 12 months by 235 different contributors.
Last update: March 2024
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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25 Comments so far
gaddaguy on Dec 14, 2023:
I am moving to qatar in February,2024 with a package of about 40k qar /month.i have a family of 3 kids and a wife.they are providing for child education but not rent and transport.can anybody guide me whether it is enough money to survive and how much can be saved?
Theo W F on Dec 08, 2023:
Qatar is a fabulous country. You can get a day pass on their subway for less than $2USD. Bus service is free and cabs and Uber are the same price, both inexpensive. Wages are lower than the US. However, there are no taxes, your money is your money. Laws and norms are quite freeing. Certainly not as barbaric and oppressive as US laws. No crime, safe in all places at all hours.
Anonymous on Oct 25, 2023:
Don't move to Qatar the wages are super low you won't get more than 1500$ on average only if you are an engineer you can hope you will get max 2000-3000$ so not a good place considering the costs. The people in the comments are paid by the Qatar government or something don't listen to them. Even Qatar gov showcases it's average wages on their website. Propaganda. No wonder this country still has feudal laws and no freedom of speech or individual
Anonymous on Oct 17, 2023:
Ukraine used the cheap drone from China and destroyed lots of expensive military equipments of Russia with the cheap drone attacks in the Ukraine war and Ukraine even said the expensive military equipments provided by US were not as effective as the cheap drone attacks they deployed in the Ukraine war.
Most of military equipments from Russia and US are outdated comparing to the modern world now as they can be easily destroyed with the latest drone attacks.
So the middle east should immediately prepare millions and millions of cheap drone attacks in order to stop the genocide criminal US from spreading the genocide terrorism upon the helpless Palestinian upon their own land Palestine without justice.
Bashir Malik on Jun 23, 2023:
Doha is a well organised n beautiful city,high rise buildings clear environment,crime free city, beautiful beaches, international cuisine food from 20 qrto 60 qr per person,I love Doha.I stay in four star hotel 27 nights in qr 4500,thanks God.
Qatar Expat on Dec 30, 2022:
Crime is very very low. It is quite a well organised city (doha), and the large number of expats (many nations) means Doha is a very international cosmopolitan city with international standards in most things. But in relation to costs ...

Your 3 biggest costs for living will be (i) rent (ii) schooling (iii) food and bills

It is all about where you live vs work, the standard you are expecting and your lifestyle.

You can pay 25,000 qar a month for a high end 1 bed apartment or 7000 qar for a 2 bed villa in a compound on the outskirts of the city. Just go to property finder for qatar and you can see the costs yourself.

Private schooling is very expensive for the average salary person and unless your company covers the costs. It can range from 20,000 qar a year up to 70,000 qar a year. Just go to the school websites and you can see the fees yourself.

Bills are the next biggest costs you will have limited control over, especially air con and qatar cool. Rough est is around 300-800 qar a month for bills, elec, gas, water, internet (but it depends on your usage). Go to vodafone or oreedo website in doha and see for your self. Also go into talabat doha and the supermarkets (lulu, carrefour etc) and see for yourself.

Transport is surprisingly cheap in doha (unless you have to use uber every day from afar). If you are serviced by a bus or metro, it is very cheap (but takes time)

If you eat in alot and cook yourself, you can save alot on food. If you go out to high restaurants, your drink/smoke alot, and have expensive hobbies...yes it will add alot to your expenses. But you can control these.

The World Cup has caused massive hikes in rent and bills. The above prices don't allow for that. Whether the prices come down will have to be seen, but you can see on the above websites (don't take my word for it).

Companies however have reduced allowances for employees or they do not raise them to allow for inflation. So you need to check what your employer says in their employee handbook. Also note, if the allowances are not in your employment contract, they are not legally protected. The government is very strict about ensuring employers pay their employees on what is in their employment contract. So if you don't see it, you are not protected on that. The responsibility is yours to check. Do not take verbal promises or email. It has to be written into your employment contract.

Wherever you live, live simply, don't be extravagant, check out for yourself online current prices. The general advice though is, if you have your family with you please check the costs carefully before making a decision. If you come single status, you should be able to save, but you will need to sacrifice and live modestly and manage your budget.

I wish you peace. And if you find you can afford it, then you will like it in Doha (the people in qatar are generally nice, and most expats are also)
Anonymous on Dec 17, 2022:
Can a family of 5 live in Qatar for 15,000qr ?
Olive on Dec 02, 2022:
Want to know whether Qataris are interested in freeze-dried vegetables and fruits?Let's briefly understand the freeze-dried food, which is the abbreviation of vacuum freeze-dried food. Make the product "fresh" during freeze-drying, and then enter the packaging procedure.Most foods such as meat, rice and noodles have a long shelf life, while fresh vegetables are difficult to preserve. It is difficult to store pickled vegetables as substitutes for fresh vegetables. Freeze dried vegetables may be a balance between fresh food and storage.I don't know if Qataris like freeze-dried food,Want to be informed, thank you.Please reply to my email if you have any comments.THank you .
Karthik E on Nov 30, 2022:
Is it possible to live for 12k QAR for 2 members. ? Do we need to pay advance for house ? Can a 1BHK will come for 3000 QAR ?
Karthik E on Nov 23, 2022:
Is it possible to live for 12k QAR for 2 members. ? Do we need to pay advance for house ? Can a 1BHK will come for 3000 QAR ?
Anthony on Nov 11, 2022:
Hi, I've got an offer for 40k QAR/month moving in Jan 2023. I have a family with 3 kids in elementary school. Would this be a good salary to live in Doha or close enough?
Qatar living expat on Aug 20, 2022:
Rent and schooling are the 2 biggest costs you will have. A large company will contribute to it, but allowances have not kept pace with rises. Average salaries for low skilled range from 1500 qar/month to professional at 50k qar a month. You cannot have the same lifestyle as you had in your home country but it's tax free. Don't expect to live like a king, you have to economize like you did in your home country if you intend saving money. Fuel is cheap, taxis are cheap, tram is cheap compared to Europe. Everything else is more expensive. Eating out is expensive unless at food courts. It's safe, safer than most cities in Europe. Alcohol has a huge tax, so if you like drinking, it will be very expensive. 2500 qar is not alot to survive on.
Qatar living expat on Aug 20, 2022:
Rental costs have soared in Doha due to the World Cup. But even then, there is no way a 1 bed apartment can be found for less than 10k to 12k in West Bay or Lusail (nicer parts of Doha). You can find 1 bed for around 7k qar pcm far away, but quality is less. Double the rent costs given and you will find it about right. You can get cheaper but usually far away 30 to 45 min travel time, in heavily congested areasa
Anonymous on Aug 12, 2022:
My God! Somebody has been offered 110,000 QR per/m. The average salary in Doha is a round 2700 euro per/m and than Nate showes up here and say 110,00 also 29,415 Euro per/m..... Dear Nate you are my new king of the Qatar. :-) Can I be your bodyguard, please?
Anonymous on Jul 17, 2022:
when was the last time this price list updated?
Muhammad on Apr 18, 2022:
I have been offered a job for 16000qar/m, i have a family with 2 kids, one is school going. Is this salary enough forca family of 4?
MakeThings right on Feb 03, 2022:
@nate 110,000qr a month is a dream, as a single it's quite hard to spend 20k a month even without allowances.
Capitaloneqa on Jan 13, 2022:
Thanks for the informative blog about apartment rent tips, for more details visit: http://capitaloneqa.com/
lyian on Dec 23, 2021:
help am in Kenya am looking for a job please any help from anyone
moaz on Aug 12, 2021:
i found it more expensive for accommodation which would be big problem for family compared to salary rate
Kiran on Jul 26, 2021:
Hello I am Kiran From India.
I have offer of 16000 Qatar riyal per month including all, how much i can save after all expenses, my lifestyle is normal, i will travel with my family(wife+ 1 kid).
Tshering Penden on Jan 26, 2021:
Hello I am Tshering Penden from Inadia.
So my salary is 2500 Qatar royal including all allowance like transportation, fooding and accommodation. So I need rough calculations of living expense in qater. Is it enough to lived there.
SoonExpat on Jul 23, 2020:
Hello, I'm moving soon to Qatar. I received 12,500 QR / month + single 2 bedroom accommodation + utility bills covered (water/electricity/internet) + health coverage + yearly tickets BUT no transportation and I don't have a Driver's license. Can I take uber or careem to work everyday? It's a 30 min drive
Zie on Jun 12, 2020:
#Nate.. It is a decent package. Approx usd 1000/d + allowance, isnt it? Not sure how much you spend back home, but you won't spend more than qar 25k p.m. as a single in Qatar. I believe you'll be in the office most of the time :)
Nate on Jun 11, 2020:
Hi All

I'm currently working in the UK and have been approached for a three year contract (rotation of 12 weeks on 2 weeks off) to work in Doha (leading up an engineering team). The package works out at 110,000 QAR/month and includes salary, transport, medical, housing, and return flights. I have a family (wife and two school aged children). The above package is based on a single visa but I can bring the family if I so desire.

Is this a decent package to consider if I come as a single and need to support myself in Doha as well as a family in the UK? If I bring my family, education will be paid for.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.