Qatar, Doha

Overview

Qatar, Doha Doha is the capital and largest city of the state of Qatar. Doha is Qatar's largest city, with over 80% of the nation's population residing in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, and is also the economic centre of the country.

Qatar is a peninsula bordering the Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. The climate is arid with mild and pleasant winters and very hot and humid summers.

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. The main religion is Islam.

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

In Qatar expatriates are required to dress conservatively by covering arms and legs, this is applicable to both men and women. Expatriate business dress 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 security 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.

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.

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

The population of Doha is 1.3 Million (2019 est.), while the inflation rate (CPI) is 0.1% for Qatar as at September 2019.

Xpatulator Hypothetical Tax for Qatar is based on the current personal income tax rate of 0% as there is currently no personal income tax.

Cost Of Living

The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Doha as at 1 November 2019 is high in comparison to other places in the world.

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 Doha is as follows:
1) Alcohol and/or Tobacco: for items such as beer, spirits, wine and tobacco related products such as cigarettes. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$2190. Average price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is USD$31.47, domestic/local beer (500ml) USD$8.34, imported/international beer (330ml) USD$9.15 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is USD$5.49.
2) Clothing: for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$890. Average price for an international brand of mens jeans is USD$62, a quality international brand of running shoes USD$95, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear USD$88 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is USD$54.
3) Communication: 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$228. Average price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is USD$90, while the benchmark mobile tariff is USD$0.16 per minute.
4) Education: for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. A basket costing USD$30000 in New York costs USD$21900. Average annual private international school fee (excluding extras) USD$14,284 for Primary School, and USD$15,895 for High School.
5) Furniture & Appliances: for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofas. A basket costing USD$2500 in New York costs USD$1875. Average price for a 6kg front loader Washing Machine is USD$666, and USD$572 for a 46+'' LED UHD TV.
6) Groceries: for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$660. Average grocery prices in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is USD$1.93, 1 kg oranges USD$1.49, 1 head lettuce USD$1.63, 1 kg potatos USD$1.05, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast USD$6.55, 1 kg cheddar cheese USD$9.18, 1 dozen large eggs USD$2.80, 500g loaf white bread USD$1.50, 1 L full cream milk USD$1.74, and 1.5 L water USD$0.49.
7) Healthcare: for general heath care, doctor visits, hospital stays, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$820. Average healthcare cost for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is USD$66, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is USD$2,040.
8) Household Accommodation: for items such as apartment rent, house rent, property purchase, mortgage rate, and utilities. A basket costing USD$5000 in New York costs USD$4350. Average expatriate house / apartment rent for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is USD$4,332 in a central location, and USD$2,696 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.
9) Miscellaneous: for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$790. Average price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is USD$15.43, while an international newspaper is USD$4.75.
10) Personal Care: for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$275. Average cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is USD$22, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is USD$110.
11) Recreation & Culture: for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. A basket costing USD$500 in New York costs USD$435. Average price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is USD$9.61, and an international fitness, recreation or sports club membership cost for one adult is USD$110 per month.
12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in a restaurant, and take away food and beverages. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$720. Average cappuccino price (regular, medium) is USD$5.03, coke/pepsi (330ml) USD$0.63, burger meal (international franchise or similar) USD$6.86, and a mid-range international restaurant meal for 2 USD$50.01.
13) Transport: for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), car hire, public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. A basket costing USD$1000 in New York costs USD$540. Average average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is USD$0.50, while the benchmark car sedan purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy vehicle (1.4 L) is USD$19,215.

Doha is 2.2% more expensive than Houston TX for groceries, 103% more expensive for household costs than Kuala Lumpur, and -8.6% cheaper for transport costs than Dubai.

Doha is ranked as a some hardship location.

The hardship premium for Doha for an expat from Perth, is for example 10%, i.e. host location (Doha) premium of 20% minus home (Perth) location premium of 10%.

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The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Doha as at 1 November 2019 is high in comparison to other places in the world.

Doha is ranked as a some hardship location.