Living Expenses in Qatar | All & About | Your lifestyle guide in Qatar

It has been recently announced by Mercer’s‘ Cost of Living’ city ranking that in 2021, Doha ranks as the cheapest city in the GCC region for expatriates. Doha ranks at 130 out of 209 cities this year, going down 21 ranks from its 2020 rank at 109.

This is incredibly good news for Qatar and newcomers who wish or plan to move to Qatar. Whether you are planning to migrate here for work or to prepare for World Cup 2022, we would like to assist you to consider the current living expenses such as the cost of accommodations, transportations, food, education, health care, utilities, and other basic necessities.

1. Housing

Apartments in City Center area for 1 bedroom costs around QAR 5,400-5,500.
Apartments in City Center area for 3 bedrooms costs around QAR 10,770
Apartments outside City Center area for 1 bedroom costs around QAR 3,500-3,600
Apartments outside City Center area for 3 bedroom costs around QAR 6,900-7,000
Monthly rent for 85m squared furnished in expensive area QAR 10,081
Monthly rent for 85m squared furnished in normal area QAR 7,466
Monthly rent for 45m squared furnished studio in expensive area QAR 6,483
Monthly rent for 45m squared furnished studio in normal area QAR 4,005
Monthly rent for unfurnished studio apartment in Doha range starts at QAR 1,400
Monthly rent for unfurnished 3 bedroom apartment in Doha range starts at QAR 4,000
Monthly rent for unfurnished studio at The Pearl range starts at QAR 5,000-7,000

2. Utilities (Monthly)

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m squared apartment = QAR 365.69 – 377.00
Average home utilities spend per month = QAR 250.00
Summer home utilities = QAR400.00
1 minute of Prepaid Mobile Traffic Local (No Discounts or Plans) – QAR 0.67 – 0.76
Internet 8Mbps (1 month) = QAR 276.00
Internet (60Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) = QAR 322.55
40 Inches Flat Screen TV = QAR 1,096.00
TV Packages per month ranges from QAR 300.00 – 1,500.00
Vodafone mobile phone plans = QAR 300.00 – 700.00
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB = QAR 1,952
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp or equivalent brands) = QAR 329.00
Hourly rate for cleaning help = QAR 37.00

3. Transportation

One-way ticket (Qatar Metro) = QAR 2.00 – 2.50
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) = QAR 150.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tarrif) = QAR 8.00 – 10.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tarrif) = QAR 2.00
Taxi 1 hour waiting (Normal Tarrif) = QAR 30.00
Taxi trip on a business day for 8km (Normal Tarrif) = QAR 34.00
Gasoline (1 Liter) = QAR 1.28 – 1.68
Monthly Ticket Public Transport = QAR 326.00

4. Food

Basic lunchtime menu (including drink) in the business district = QAR 63.00
Combo meal in Fast Food restaurants (Big Mac meal or similar) = QAR 25.00
500gram (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast = QAR 20.00
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk = QAR 7.00 – 8.00
12 large eggs = QAR 11.00 – 12.00
Tomatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) = QAR 4.72 – 5.16
Local Cheese 500gr (16 oz) = QAR 22.00 – 35.23
Apples 1 kg (2lb.) = QAR 6.00 – 7.00
Potatoes 1 kg (2 lb.) = QAR 3.65 – 4.46
Domestic Beer in Supermarkets 0.5 liter (16 oz) = QAR 19.00
1 bottle of Red Table Wine, good quality = QAR 132.00
Coca Cola (2 liters)= QAR 5.63
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) = QAR 5.01
White Rice (1kg) = QAR 6.78
Cooking Oil (1 liter) = QAR 10.00-12.00

5. Education

Varies from public schools and private international schools
Private preschool or kindergarten, monthly per child = QAR 2,750
Basic tuition for primary school (annually) ranges from QAR 18,000 – 50,000
Highschool (annually) goes up to QAR 70,000
Several nationalities have their own schools which are often cheaper.
g.: Indian schools – Kindergarten fees ranges from QAR 3,700 – 13,000
Indian grade 12 ranges from QAR 7,000 – 18,000

6. Healthcare

The Public Healthcare system (Hamad Medical Corporation) offers FREE emergency care for all registered users, can receive public health insurance for approximately QAR 200.00 per year. Insured members pay only around QAR 25.00 during a visit or appointment.
Private Hospital Bills (Doctor’s appointment) = QAR 100.00 – 250.00
Short Visit to Private Doctor (15 mins) = QAR 176.00
Specialist consultations = QAR 250.00 – 600.00
Hamad Health Card (annual payment – allow free visits to their Primary Health Care Center) = QAR 100.00
Cold Medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, frenadol, coldrex or equivalent brands) = QAR 38.00
1 Antibiotics box (12 doses) = QAR 81.00

7. Personal Care

1 box (32 tampons) = QAR 23.00
Deodorant, roll-ons (50ml ~ 1.5oz) = QAR 18.00
Hair Shampoo 2-in-1 (400ml ~ 12oz.) = QAR 20.00
4 rolls of toilet paper = QAR 12.00
1 tube of toothpaste = QAR 11.00
Standard men’s haircut in expat area of the city = QAR 54.00

8. Entertainment

Basic dinner out for 2 in neighbourhood pub = QAR 200.00
2 Tickets to the movies = QAR 70.00 – 80.00
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert = QAR 367.00
1 Cocktail Drink in Downtown Club = QAR 74.00
1 Cappucino in the expat area of the city = QAR 25.00
1 Beer in the neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1 pt.) = QAR 49.00
1 gym membership in business district (monthly) = QAR 676.00
1 packet of Marlboro cigarettes = QAR 16.00

Overall, the cost of living in Qatar has not gone through major changes compared to the ones in 2020. In addition to that, the prices for all kinds of costs varies depending on your budget and needs. Qatar may not be the cheapest place to stay in the world, but it is considerably affordable compared to her Gulf-region, neighbouring countries. With World Cup 2022 in mind, Qatar is also constructing lots of new spaces of hotels and real estate buildings to provide more space for newcomers.

Do you have any plans to invite your expat family-friends or moving back to Doha?

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