Cost of Living in Doha: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Doha is the constantly growing and evolving capital city of Qatar, a metropolis in the Arabian Gulf region prone to rapid social, economic, and political developments. The Average cost of living in Doha for a single person is around QAR 3,349 without rental costs. In addition, the average cost of rent in Doha is approximately QAR 6,000 per month around the city centre.

Qatar has been working and evolving a national strategy for growing the education system in recent years. However, it has been registering many international students in various fields, i.e., arts and design to science and technology, so you can follow your dream to study in any field you want. If you wish to move here, know its living expenses beforehand. So, In this blog, we will look at the cost of living in Doha. Let’s dive right into our discussion without any further delay.

Cost of Living in Doha for Expats

The average cost of living in Doha for one person is 3,349 QR/month without including the rent according to Numbeo data. Due to this much amount, it is in the top 23% of the most expensive cities worldwide. Doha is certainly the most expensive region in the Middle East whereas the cost of living in Doha is comparatively lower than in European countries, it still provides a high standard of living.

However, expats living in Doha benefit from no taxation, good safety, and healthcare. Understanding the cost of living in Doha is essential for students planning to study there. Let’s now examine in detail the average cost of living in Doha in various categories such as rent, utility, food, health, transportation, groceries, and more.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cambodia: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Cost of Grocery in Doha

In Doha, lots of food items are imported from other countries due to this Expats can expect higher rates of food normally. The average grocery cost in Doha is approximately QAR 270 for a person in a week (It can vary according to a person’s consumption). This means prices are higher than in other countries, such as the USA, Europe, and the UK.

This shows that grocery costs can impact your cost of living in Doha as it is a daily expense here. The table below lists the average grocery prices in Doha for your convenience:

Grocery Name	Approx. Grocery Cost
Milk (1 litre)	QAR 7.66
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	QAR 5.69
Eggs X (12)	QAR 9.72
Rice 1kg (white)	QAR 7.83
Fruits (1kg)	QAR 6
Tomato (1kg)	QAR 4.68
Potato (1kg)	QAR 3.78
Onion (1kg)	QAR 4.39
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	QAR 1.67

Cost of Rent and Utility in Doha

The cost of utilities in Doha is partially subsidised by the Qatari government. It means that water, electricity, and gas are generally cheaper than in European countries, which is relatively lower than the cost of living in Doha. The average Utility cost can be around QAR 364 /month. But in the summertime, these bills can shoot up to over QAR 400 as the people of Doha rely on air-conditioning.

In the City centre of Doha, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is about QAR 6,100. However, the accommodation cost can vary according to the budget, living area and living style of a person. Before moving to Doha, it’s essential to perform complete research and compare rental prices across its nearby provinces to find options that fit your needs and financial situation. Here in the table, the average cost of rent and utility in Doha is given for your convenience:

Rent and Utility	Approx. Cost of Rent and Utility
Electricity, Water, Heating, Cooling, Garbage(for 1 bedroom Apartment )	QAR 364
Mobile Phone Calls with 10GB+ Data(Monthly Plan)	QAR 158
Internet (60+ Mbps, Cable/ADSL)	QAR 331
1 bedroom Apartment (in City Centre)	QAR 6,180
1 bedroom Apartment (Outside of Centre)	QAR 3,876
3-bedroom Apartment (in the City Centre)	QAR 10,548
3 bedroom Apartment (Outside of Centre)	QAR 6,921

Also Read: Cost of Living in Durham: A Comprehensive Guide

Cost of Transportation in Doha 

Doha has an efficient transportation system that includes cabs, buses, and metro trains. The One-way fare of buses here can range between 2 QR and 5 QR, depending on the distance you are planning to travel. A taxi fare usually starts from 8 QR per kilometre.

The metro fare is also the same as the buses. The cost of transportation here is covered under the overall cost of living in Doha. The various costs related to transportation in Doha are shown in the table below for your convenience:

Mode of Transportation	Approx. Cost of Transportation
One-way Ticket (Buses)	QAR 2.00
Monthly Pass (Buses)	QAR 120.00
Normal fare Tariff for Taxi	QAR 8.00
Normal fare Tariff for Taxi for 1 hour Waiting	QAR 50.00
Gasoline per litre	QAR 2.08

Miscellaneous Costs in Doha City

In addition to the above categories of cost of living in Doha City, charges such as a pair of dresses, movie tickets, small doctor’s appointments, etc. can also be considered and these costs fall under miscellaneous costs. Please see the table below for a list of the miscellaneous charges Doha offers.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	QAR 45
Brand Jeans	QAR 231
Fitness Club	QAR 413
Summer Dress	QAR 181
Pair of shoes	QAR 329
Doctor’s visit	QAR 177

Average Tuition Fees in Doha

The average tuition fee in Doha for each semester can be up to QAR 109,000. The tuition fee is not included in the Cost of living in Doha, which is only slightly lower than the US’s but more than the UK and Australia’s. The above fees are just general fee ranges; there may be cheaper or more expensive courses. The more prestigious the universities of Doha the higher the tuition cost.

Qatar has major educational institutes in the city of Doha. It is partnered with the best educational institutions, including nine renowned universities from the UK, the US, and France. Moreover, It provides educational programs for all educational needs from childhood to higher education.

Cost of Living Comparison: Doha vs Other Cities

When comparing the cost of living in Doha to other major cities and countries, it’s important to consider factors like housing rent, utility bills, food, and transportation. Doha is known for its relatively reasonable costs in gulf areas. To make informed decisions about moving to or staying long-term in Doha, it’s crucial to understand how its cost of living measures up against other locations.

To provide an accurate comparison, we have gathered data on the cost of living in major countries such as the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), the UK, Saudi Arabia, the USA, South Africa, Canada, and Qatar. This comparison offers a detailed insight into living expenses across different urban centres, aiding in better clarity and decision-making.

City/Country	Average Cost of Living (excluding rent)	Comparison with Cost of Living in Doha
Cost of Living in Dubai	QAR 3955	Higher than Doha
Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi	QAR 3401	Higher than Doha
Cost of Living in the UK	QAR 3737	Higher than Doha
Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia	QAR 2900	Lower than Doha
Cost of Living in the USA	QAR 4237	Higher than Doha
Cost of Living in South Africa	QAR 2178	Lower than Doha
Cost of Living in Canada	QAR 3842	Higher than Doha
Cost of Living in Qatar	QAR 3,318	Base

Why Choose Doha to Study Abroad?

Studying in Doha offers an exceptional range of world-class, prestigious educational programmes and opportunities along with the affordable cost of living in Doha. The education system in Doha is managed by the Supreme Education Council Qatar (SEC) and the Ministry of Education Qatar (MOE) at each level. Because of this, Doha is an ideal place for pursuing higher education. Here are some of the main reasons listed below, why you should choose Doha to study abroad:

Education System in Doha

Doha’s education system is actively implementing strategies to enhance higher education, optimising and exploring students’ capabilities and talents, evolving their knowledge base, and developing skills aligned with the demands of the labour market. Additionally, universities in Doha are doing scientific research to align their teaching culture with other international universities.

Study Options at Doha

In addition to the affordable cost of living in Doha, you can find two public and national universities in Qatar and Doha. Also, several universities established partnerships with US universities. University in Doha offers a wide range of programmes for graduate and undergraduate degrees in fields like art, design, engineering, media studies, science and technology, medicine, business, law, Sharia & Islamic Studies.

General Application Requirements

Usually, universities in Doha follow an easy application system and allow candidates to register for an application form online apart from making a living budget in Doha. In addition to budgeting for living in Doha, a list of the most common requirements for the application process is given in the table below:

Requirement	Description
Admissions Application	Application forms should be submitted through the online admissions portal.
School transcript	Official transcript of high school grades from certified institutions.
Health Certificate	A Health Certificate for the applicants should be issued by the Qatar authority.
ID card	Two recent passport-size (4 x 6 cm) photographs of the applicant, with a white background.
Photographs	For a foundation program test score reports are required by Colleges that mandate for applicants.
Official test score reports	For a foundation program a test score reports are required by Colleges that mandate for applicants.

Things to Know When Moving to Doha

Now, you understand the factors listed above, which give some idea of the cost of living in Doha. There are other significant aspects of Doha and Qatar that one must be aware of before moving there. So, here are some points you should know and keep in mind before moving to Doha:

After Studying in Doha

All Doha Universities and educational institutions offer career counselling with proper guidance for their students. Their career or placement office helps you explore the career path, create resumes, and CVs, and also helps their students prepare for job interviews.

Language Proficiency Test for Entry in Doha

English is considered the second language in Doha. Students who come from other countries are generally not proficient in Arabic, so they can find various study options in English. Students who want to take admission in Arabic courses should provide an ALPT (Arabic Language Proficiency Test) certificate or pass the Arabic Placement Test. IELTS or TOEFL exams are accepted for entry into English language courses at Doha.

Working while studying in Doha

In Doha, various Universities and institutes offer their students employment programs. These programs help students gain real work experience and will make managing the cost of living in Doha easy. The maximum working hours can be a lot for a student, up to 20 hours in a week. However, students on student visas can’t work off campus. They need a separate work visa if they want to work outside, which is difficult to get.

Taxation and social security in Doha

The government of Doha does not impose any tax on personal income, property, sales, or VAT. It means you do not have to prepare your living budget according to the tax. However, employers in Doha only have to pay Qatari nationals social security. According to local news, a VAT around 5% may be implemented soon.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Doha

So, this was all about the cost of living in Doha. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.