Cost of living in Qatar, prices and what it is like to live for an Expat, quality of life / hardship, and compare cost of living for Expatriates as at October 2023.

What is it like to live in Qatar?

Climate: The climate is arid with mild and pleasant winters and very hot and humid summers.

Language: The official language is Arabic. English is widely understood and spoken by Qataris and the many south Asians who live and do business in the country.

Religion: Islam.

Economy: Petroleum is the cornerstone of Qatar's economy and accounts for more than 70% of total government revenue.

Inflation: 2.38% for Qatar as at August 2023.

Money: The currency of Qatar is the Qatari Rial (QAR) which is fixed to the US dollar. Banking is on a par with that of Western Europe and North America.

Tax: In Qatar is based on the current personal income tax rate of 0% as there is currently no personal income tax.

Population: 2.9 Million (2022 est.)

Expat Life: In Qatar expatriates are required to dress conservatively by covering arms and legs, this is applicable to both men and women. Expatriate dress code is generally a suit and tie for men, while women should wear a modest cotton or linen dress that covers both arms and legs. The safety risk for expatriates in Qatar is low. Risks include very low levels of petty and opportunistic theft, burglary, robbery, fraud, corporate crime, and violent crime. There is also an underlying terrorism risk. Unaccompanied women can face verbal and physical harassment. Expatriates should be cautious not to offend Muslim sensibilities.

Health Care: Health care facilities are good, however the cost of treatment for expatriates can be high. Proof of insurance or the means to settle any health care fees is generally required before treatment is provided. Emergency health care treatment is excellent but can be expensive.

Qatar covers all areas within the country other than Doha.

Cost Of Living

What is the cost of living in Qatar?

The cost of living for expatriates in Qatar as at October 2023 is average in comparison to other places in the world, with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 70.21 (New York =100). We have collected prices for the same items, world wide, based on Expat spending norms, in or closest to the location, and converted them to $USD so that we can compare the cost of 13 different baskets in 780 global locations. For each basket, compared to New York, the equivalent cost in Qatar is as follows:

1) Alcohol and/or Tobacco: Cost is very high for items such as beer, spirits, wine and tobacco related products such as cigarettes. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1790. Average price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is USD$9.10, domestic/local beer (500ml) USD$6.50, imported/international beer (330ml) USD$5.20 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is USD$8.57.

2) Clothing: Cost is very high for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$1080. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$66, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$92, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$93 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is USD$52.

3) Communication: Cost is very high for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile service provider tariff and data costs. A basket costing USD$200 in New York costs USD$250. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$87, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$61.80 per minute.

4) Education: Cost is average for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. A basket costing USD$30,000 in New York costs USD$21900. Average annual private international school fee (excluding extras) USD$14,251 for Primary School, and USD$15,859 for High School.

5) Furniture & Appliances: Cost is low for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofas. A basket costing USD$2,500 in New York costs USD$1625. Average price for a 6kg front loader Washing Machine is USD$630, and USD$541 for a 46+'' LED UHD TV.

6) Groceries: Cost is average for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$700. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$1.16, 1 kg oranges USD$1.03, 1 head lettuce USD$1.79, 1 kg potatos USD$0.62, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$4.23, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$6.14, 1 dozen large eggs USD$3.56, 500g loaf white bread USD$1.76, 1 L full cream milk USD$9.91, and 1.5 L water USD$0.69.

7) Healthcare: Cost is average for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$740. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$60, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$1,840.

8) Household Accommodation: Cost is high for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. A basket costing USD$5,000 in New York costs USD$3000. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$5,318 in a central location, and USD$3,233 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

9) Miscellaneous: Cost is average for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$320. Average price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is USD$6.19, while an international newspaper is USD$1.91.

10) Personal Care: Cost is average for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$365. Average cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is USD$29, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is USD$147.

11) Recreation & Culture: Cost is very high for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$625. Average price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is USD$15.17, and an international fitness, recreation or sports club membership cost for one adult is USD$157 per month.

12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Cost is high for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$780. Average cappuccino price (regular, medium) is USD$7.01, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$1.30, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$8.93, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for 2 USD$71.41.

13) Transport: Cost is very low for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. A basket costing USD$1,000 in New York costs USD$450. Average average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$2.14, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$21,972.

How does the cost of living in Qatar compare?

Qatar is -11.6% cheaper than USA for groceries, 1.8% more expensive for household costs than UK, and -11.9% cheaper for transport costs than India.

What is the quality of life / hardship in Qatar?

Qatar is ranked as a some hardship location.The hardship premium for Qatar for an expat from Australia, is for example 10%, i.e. host location (Qatar) premium of 20% minus home (Australia) location premium of 10%.

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