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

Whenever a student gets selected for the international universities in Qatar it becomes extremely memorable for them. But this is just the beginning of a study abroad Qatar journey as a student needs to plan for many things like a Student Visa, Cost of living in Qatar, etc and it requires a lot of early calculations to get an estimate.

This is where the cost of living calculations come into play by which you can plan your budget effectively and you should be aware of the updated data on living expenses in Qatar. In this blog, we are going to take a look at the cost of living in Qatar so continue reading to know more.

Cost of Living in Qatar

The average cost of living in Qatar per month for a single person is around QAR 3,359 excluding the rent cost. However, the average cost of rent in Qatar is around QAR 3,000 to QAR 9,000 and can vary according to a person’s budget and lifestyle.

As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in Qatar is comparatively lower than in other countries which makes this a great option for students on a tight budget. Let us now take a look at the different categories that expenses in Qatar include:

Cost of Accommodations in Qatar

For any international student, the accommodation cost is the biggest and the most essential expense in a study abroad journey. There are different accommodation options available in Qatar such as serviced apartments, compound villas, and on-campus accommodations. The cost of renting an apartment can contribute to a large portion of the cost of living in Qatar.

Normal apartments cost around QAR 5,000, whereas serviced apartments cost an average of QAR 7,000 considering it has other services to offer. Compound villas can be extremely expensive costing around QAR 12,000. The best way to go for it is on-campus accommodation options of the respective University which can cost between QAR 500 to QAR 1000.

Also Read – Cost of living in Moscow: A Comprehensive Guide

Cost of Transportation in Qatar

Qatar has a modern and efficient transportation system that includes all the basic transportation systems like buses, cabs, and metro trains. The buses here are air-conditioned and the fare can range between QAR 2 to QAR 10.

A taxi fare usually starts from QAR 10 and it can cost QAR 8 per kilometre. The metro fairs are also the same as the buses which range between QAR 2 to QAR 10 depending on the distance you are planning to travel. However, if you have a vehicle in Qatar the price of gasoline can be around QAR 2.08 per liter.

Cost of Food in Qatar

Due to the diverse population of this country, you can get a variety of cuisines. The main types of cuisines that are widely available are mainly Arab, Persian and Indian. However, having food from the restaurants of Qatar can be quite expensive for a university-going student and It might affect their cost of living in Qatar budget.

A decent meal from an inexpensive restaurant can cost an average of QAR 30. At a mid-range restaurant for 2 people, including three main courses, the average cost of a meal is around USD 200. The best of by which you can say a look of money in food is by cooking your own meal. The average cost of your monthly grocery can be between QAR 500 to QAR 700.

Cost of Grocery in Qatar

Grocery costs are the primary things to consider if you plan to prepare meals at your residence. Here are some of the detailed costs of some of the Grocery items in Qatar. This information can help you in calculating the cost of living in Qatar more effectively and precisely:

Items	Approx Cost
Water (1.5-litre bottle)	QAR 1.71
Milk (1 litre)	QAR 7.59
Local Cheese (1kg)	QAR 37.44
Loaf of White Bread (500g)	QAR 5.60
Apples (1kg)	QAR 7.09
Banana (1kg)	QAR 5.65
Tomato (1kg)	QAR 4.54
Potato (1kg)	QAR 3.67
Onion (1kg)	QAR 4.14
Eggs (1 dozen)	QAR 9.37
Rice (1kg)	QAR 7.74

Cost of a Utility in Qatar

For basic utilities in Qatar, you have to pay QAR 375 monthly. Utility costs in Qatar include electricity, water, cooling, heating, garbage bills, etc. For your convenience, we have already added these utility bills to the cost of living in Qatar. In the following table, utility costs in Qatar are given for your reference:

Utility Type	Approx Monthly Cost
Basic Utility for an apartment (Water, Electricity, Cooling, Heating and Garbage)	QAR 375
Internet Plan (60 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	QAR 325
Monthly Mobile Phone Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)	QAR 173

Also Read: A Guide on Cost of Living in Czech Republic

Miscellaneous Costs in Qatar

The Miscellaneous cost in Qatar can vary depending on factors such as brand, quality, and location of purchase. In general, Qatar offers a wide range of shopping options, from luxury to more affordable outlets and markets. Here we have included some of the costs related to apparel, cinema, sports and leisure in the table below:

Miscellaneous Things	Approx Cost
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee	QAR 446
Tennis Court Rent on Weekend	QAR 140
Cinema Ticket	QAR 45
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	QAR 219
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …)	QAR 173
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	QAR 321
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	QAR 331

Cost of Living in Qatar Compared to Other Countries

Due to its status as a wealthy Gulf country, the cost of living in Qatar can be relatively high compared to other countries. Additionally, the living expenses may vary depending on lifestyle choices and personal circumstances. So to give you an idea of ​​how cost-effective the cost of living in Qatar is compared to other countries, we’ve given the cost of living (not including rent) in other countries. Please have a look:

Country Name	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in France
Cost of Living in the USA	QAR 4257	Higher than Qatar
Cost of Living in the UK	QAR 3758	Higher than Qatar
Cost of Living in Australia	QAR 4016	Higher than Qatar
Cost of Living in Dubai	QAR 3965	Higher than Qatar
Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi	QAR 3453	Higher than Qatar
Cost of Living in Canada	QAR 3858	Higher than Qatar
Cost of Living in Nigeria	QAR 2008	Lower than Qatar
Cost of Living in the Philippines	QAR 1968	Lower than Qatar

Benefits of Studying in Qatar

A common question in every student’s mind before applying along with the cost of living in Qatar, is “Why should I study in Qatar?” Here are some key benefits of studying in Qatar:

• Qatar is a small but wealthy country in the Middle East and it is also a popular study-abroad destination for many students coming from different nations to get quality education.
• The cost of living in Qatar country plays a significant role in attracting students from all over the world as the living expenses here are lower than in most other countries.
• Another great aspect of studying in Qatar is that it has many reputed universities that rank on the QS World Ranking. Some of them are Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Texas A&M University.
• Lastly, Qatar is a diverse country with social stability and a safe environment which makes it the most suitable place for any student.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Qatar

This was all the details about the Cost of Living in Qatar. If you are planning to study in Qatar don’t forget to reach us at 1800 57 2000 and contact our Leverage Edu experts to make your study abroad process hassle-free.