Cost of Living in Doha 2026: Complete Expat Budget Breakdown

Doha Cost of Living Overview

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the world, and its cost of living reflects the country's prosperity and compact urban geography. Following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Doha underwent a massive infrastructure upgrade that elevated living standards but also pushed costs upward in premium areas. For expat professionals, Qatar offers zero personal income tax and typically generous employer packages, making it a strong destination for wealth building despite higher headline costs.

Based on 2026 data, a single professional can live comfortably in Doha on QAR 10,000-16,000 per month (approximately USD 2,750-4,400), while a family of four should budget QAR 22,000-35,000 per month (USD 6,040-9,615) excluding school fees. Doha's cost structure is polarized — premium areas like The Pearl and West Bay are among the most expensive in the GCC, while neighborhoods further from the waterfront offer reasonable value.

Doha's cost of living index sits at approximately 60 compared to New York City's baseline of 100. However, the limited supply of budget-friendly options in certain categories — particularly housing and groceries — means the floor price is higher than in cities like Riyadh or Muscat. The city's compact size keeps transportation costs relatively low, which partially offsets higher housing expenses.

Housing: The Biggest Expense

Housing is the dominant expense in Doha, consuming 35-45% of monthly spending for most expats. The post-World Cup period saw a correction in rents as tournament-driven demand subsided, but premium areas have since stabilized at elevated levels. The key decision for most expats is whether to live in the high-end waterfront areas or the more affordable inland neighborhoods.

Apartment Rental Prices (Monthly)

• Studio apartment (West Bay): QAR 3,500-6,000 — Doha's central business district with high-rise towers, waterfront views, and walkable access to malls and restaurants. Popular with single professionals.
• 1-bedroom apartment (The Pearl-Qatar): QAR 5,500-8,000 — Qatar's signature man-made island with luxury retail, marina living, and Mediterranean-inspired architecture. The most prestigious address in Doha.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Lusail City): QAR 4,000-7,000 — The brand-new planned city north of Doha, built around the 2022 World Cup infrastructure. Modern apartments with excellent amenities, prices still settling.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Al Sadd): QAR 4,500-7,000 — Central, established neighborhood with excellent connectivity, diverse dining, and proximity to Hamad Medical Corporation and major shopping.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Ain Khaled/Al Wakra): QAR 3,500-5,500 — Suburban areas offering more space at lower prices. Al Wakra has gained popularity post-metro extension.
• 3-bedroom apartment (Old Airport area): QAR 4,000-6,500 — Affordable central area near major government institutions and the old Doha Exhibition Centre.

Villa Rental Prices (Monthly)

• 3-bedroom villa (compound, West Bay Lagoon): QAR 12,000-18,000 — Gated waterfront compound community popular with Western expat families. Includes pools, tennis courts, and social facilities.
• 3-bedroom standalone villa (Al Thumama/Abu Hamour): QAR 7,000-11,000 — Southern Doha areas with independent villas, often with private gardens and parking. Good access to the Industrial Area and airport.
• 4-bedroom villa (compound, Al Waab): QAR 14,000-20,000 — Premium compound area near Villaggio Mall with top international schools nearby.
• 3-bedroom villa (Al Kheesa/Al Gharrafa): QAR 8,000-12,000 — Northern suburbs with newer villa stock, quieter neighborhoods, and easy access to Lusail and Education City.

Rental Market Essentials

Doha's rental market has specific characteristics that newcomers should understand:

• Qatar ID requirement: You need a valid Qatar ID (QID) to sign a rental contract. Most landlords will not engage without it, though some agents can facilitate pre-arrival arrangements for confirmed hires.
• Payment structure: Rent is typically paid monthly or quarterly via post-dated cheques or bank transfer. Annual payments with a discount are also common.
• Security deposit: Usually one to two months' rent, refundable upon lease termination subject to property condition.
• Agency fee: Typically one month's rent split between tenant and landlord, though this varies.
• Kahramaa deposit: QAR 200-500 for utility connection (electricity and water), plus a connection fee.
• Furnished vs. unfurnished: Doha has a higher proportion of furnished apartments than most GCC cities, especially in The Pearl and West Bay. Furnished units command a 15-25% premium but eliminate the cost and hassle of furnishing.

Groceries and Dining

Grocery Costs

Qatar imports the vast majority of its food, which is reflected in grocery prices that are generally higher than in Saudi Arabia or Oman:

• Budget supermarkets (Al Meera, Safari Hypermarket, MegaMart): QAR 800-1,200/month for a single person. Al Meera is the government-affiliated chain with the widest network and competitive pricing on staples.
• Mid-range supermarkets (Carrefour, Lulu, Monoprix): QAR 1,200-1,800/month. Good selection of international products, fresh produce, and imported goods.
• Premium supermarkets (Spinneys, Géant, The Pearl specialty shops): QAR 1,800-2,500/month. High-end imported products, organic ranges, and specialty items. The Pearl-Qatar has boutique grocers with European-level pricing.

Common item prices:

• Milk (1 liter): QAR 6-9
• Bread (loaf): QAR 5-10
• Rice (1 kg): QAR 6-15
• Chicken breast (1 kg): QAR 22-35
• Eggs (dozen): QAR 10-16
• Apples (1 kg): QAR 9-16
• Water (1.5L bottle): QAR 1.5-3

Dining Out

Doha's restaurant scene has grown substantially since the World Cup, with new international concepts and local favorites coexisting:

• Fast food meal: QAR 25-40
• Casual restaurant (per person): QAR 40-75
• Mid-range restaurant (2 people, 3 courses): QAR 200-400
• Fine dining (per person): QAR 300-700+
• Cafe coffee: QAR 18-28
• Local shawarma/plate: QAR 8-15
• Food delivery (average order): QAR 35-55 plus QAR 5-12 delivery fee

Budget tip: The areas around Al Sadd, Musheireb, and the Souq Waqif perimeter offer excellent value Middle Eastern, Indian, and Filipino restaurants for QAR 15-30 per meal. Souq Waqif itself has atmospheric restaurants at moderate prices, making it one of the best dining experiences in the GCC for both ambiance and value.

Transportation

Doha is compact by GCC standards, and the post-World Cup Doha Metro has improved connectivity significantly:

Public Transport

• Doha Metro: Three lines (Red, Green, Gold) covering 37 stations across the city, connecting West Bay, Msheireb Downtown, Hamad International Airport, and Lusail. Single ride: QAR 2-6 depending on class (Standard, Gold, Family). Monthly pass: QAR 200-250 for standard class. Clean, efficient, and air-conditioned.
• Lusail Tram: Connects Lusail City neighborhoods and links to the metro network. Included in the metro fare structure.
• Public bus (Mowasalat/Karwa): Extensive network covering areas not reached by metro. QAR 3-5 per ride using a Karwa smartcard.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Taxi/Karwa (10 km ride): QAR 20-35. Metered, with a QAR 10 base fare. Karwa taxis are the official fleet — turquoise-colored and well-maintained.
• Uber/Careem: Widely available. Competitive with Karwa on pricing, more convenient for app-based booking.
• Airport transfer (Hamad to West Bay): QAR 50-80 by taxi. The Red metro line also connects the airport to central Doha for QAR 2-6.

Private Vehicle

• Fuel (per liter): QAR 1.75-2.10 (government-set periodically). Very cheap by global standards, reflecting Qatar's status as a major gas producer.
• Car payment (mid-range sedan): QAR 1,500-3,000/month for financing.
• Insurance: QAR 2,000-5,000/year depending on vehicle and driver profile. Third-party is mandatory.
• No road tolls: Qatar has no toll system, unlike Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This is a notable saving for daily commuters.
• Parking: Free in most residential areas. QAR 2-5/hour in some commercial districts. Many employers provide parking.

Utilities

Utility costs in Doha are managed through Kahramaa (Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation):

• Electricity + Water (apartment): QAR 300-800/month depending on apartment size and AC usage. Qatar's extreme summer heat (regularly exceeding 45°C) means air conditioning is running around the clock from May through October, significantly increasing bills.
• Electricity + Water (villa): QAR 800-2,000/month. Larger properties with gardens consume substantially more water.
• Internet (Ooredoo/Vodafone Qatar): QAR 300-500/month for 100-500 Mbps fiber packages. Ooredoo has broader coverage; Vodafone Qatar is competitive on pricing.
• Mobile phone plan: QAR 100-250/month for plans with unlimited calls and 20-100+ GB data.
• District cooling: Many developments in Lusail and The Pearl use district cooling, billed separately at QAR 200-500/month for an apartment.

Kahramaa bills can be paid through the Kahramaa app or government services portal (Hukoomi). Expat rates for electricity and water are higher than citizen rates, which is standard practice in the GCC.

Healthcare

Qatar has invested heavily in healthcare, and Doha offers some of the best medical facilities in the region:

• Health insurance: Mandatory for all residents. Employers must provide coverage. Qatar's national health scheme covers basic services at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) facilities, but most expat employers provide supplementary private insurance for faster access to private hospitals.
• GP consultation (private): QAR 200-500 per visit (insurance typically covers with QAR 20-50 co-pay).
• Specialist consultation: QAR 400-900 per visit.
• Dental checkup: QAR 200-400 (basic cleaning and exam).
• Emergency room visit: QAR 300-1,500+ depending on treatment.
• Pharmacy: Prescription medications are reasonably priced at QAR 15-80 for common medications.

Major facilities include Hamad Medical Corporation (the public health system, which is highly regarded), Sidra Medicine (world-class women's and children's hospital), Al Ahli Hospital, and Aster DM Healthcare. Sidra Medicine, funded by Qatar Foundation, is considered one of the best pediatric facilities in the Middle East.

Education

Doha has a well-developed international school sector, plus the unique Education City offering university-level programs from top global institutions:

• International schools (per year): QAR 25,000-55,000 depending on curriculum and reputation. British, American, IB, and French curricula are available.
• Premium schools (per year): QAR 55,000-70,000 for top-tier schools like Doha College, ACS Doha International School, and Park House English School.
• Indian curriculum schools (per year): QAR 8,000-20,000. Schools like DPS-Modern Indian School and Birla Public School are well-established.
• Nursery/preschool (per month): QAR 2,000-5,000 for children aged 1-4. International nurseries on The Pearl and in West Bay are at the higher end.

Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education regulates school operations, though fee regulation is less structured than in the UAE. Many Qatari employers — especially in oil/gas (QatarEnergy, RasGas) and government — provide generous education allowances of QAR 25,000-60,000 per child per year. Some premium employers cover fees entirely up to a specified school tier.

Detailed Monthly Budget Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single Professional (Moderate Lifestyle)

Scenario 2: Couple (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Scenario 3: Family of Four (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Money-Saving Tips for Doha

• Choose Lusail or Al Sadd over The Pearl: The Pearl-Qatar is prestigious but commands a 20-40% premium over comparable apartments in Lusail or Al Sadd. Both alternative areas have excellent metro access and growing amenity bases.
• Shop at Al Meera: As the government-affiliated supermarket chain, Al Meera consistently offers the best prices on staples and fresh produce. Combine with Lulu for bulk purchases and Carrefour for specific international items.
• Use the Doha Metro strategically: At QAR 2-6 per ride, the metro is extremely affordable. If your workplace and home are on the metro network, you can eliminate car costs entirely — saving QAR 2,000-3,500/month.
• Eat at Souq Waqif and surrounding streets: Some of the best dining value in Doha is in and around Souq Waqif, where you can enjoy atmospheric Qatari, Yemeni, and Iranian restaurants for QAR 20-40 per person. The souq is also one of the best free walking experiences in the GCC.
• Leverage compound amenities: If you choose compound living, maximize the included facilities — pools, gyms, tennis courts, and social clubs can replace QAR 500-1,000/month in external membership fees.
• Plan weekend activities around free options: Doha's Corniche is a world-class free waterfront walkway. Katara Cultural Village hosts free exhibitions and events. The Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid) and desert camping require only fuel costs. The Museum of Islamic Art is free on certain days.
• Negotiate furnished vs. unfurnished: In Doha, furnished apartments are widely available and eliminate the QAR 15,000-30,000 upfront cost of furnishing. For short-to-medium assignments (1-3 years), furnished is often more economical despite the monthly premium.
• Take advantage of Ramadan: Restaurants and malls offer significant promotions during Ramadan, and many hotels launch heavily discounted iftar and suhoor buffets. Grocery stores also run major sales on staples and premium items throughout the holy month.