Quick Answer: A single expat needs QR 8,000 to QR 14,000 per month to live in Qatar in 2026. A couple without children needs QR 14,000 to QR 25,000. A family of four with two school-age children needs QR 25,000 to QR 45,000. Qatar has zero income tax, the cheapest petrol in the world, and heavily subsidised utilities — but international school fees, rent, and imported food prices are high.
If you have just received a job offer from Qatar and you are trying to work out whether the salary is enough, this guide is for you. If you have been in Qatar for six months and you cannot figure out where your money goes, this guide is also for you.
Most Qatar cost of living articles fail in the same two ways. First, they present generic category averages without connecting them to real lifestyle decisions. Second, they ignore the two things that genuinely define whether a salary works in Qatar: the annual rent upfront requirement and international school fees for families. This guide covers both, in full, with real 2026 numbers.
One important conversion note for international readers: the Qatari Riyal (QAR) is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 3.64. There is no exchange rate risk. QR 10,000 equals approximately USD 2,747.
The Qatar Cost of Living Reality Check
Before the numbers, it helps to understand what actually drives the cost of living in Qatar — and what makes it more affordable than the surface impression suggests.
What Makes Qatar Expensive
Most food in Qatar is imported. Fresh produce, meat, dairy, and packaged goods all carry an import premium that keeps grocery bills consistently higher than in South or Southeast Asia. A basket of food that costs USD 80 in Manila or Colombo costs QR 400 to QR 600 in Doha.
Central housing in premium areas like The Pearl, West Bay, and Lusail is expensive by regional standards. International school fees are among the highest in the Gulf. Alcohol at hotel bars costs as much as in London or Singapore. Entertainment options are more limited than Dubai, which means people tend to eat out more frequently as their primary social activity — driving food spending higher.
What Makes Qatar More Affordable Than You Think
Qatar has zero personal income tax. Everything you earn, you keep. For someone earning QR 25,000 per month who would pay 40% income tax in the UK, the effective real-world pay rise from moving to Qatar is QR 10,000 per month before any other consideration.
Qatar’s cost of living, according to Numbeo’s February 2026 data, is updated with contributions from 95 different contributors, making it one of the more robustly tracked datasets in the Gulf.
Petrol costs approximately QR 0.85 per litre for premium grade — among the cheapest fuel prices anywhere on earth. Filling a mid-size SUV from empty costs roughly QR 85. Electricity and water through Kahramaa are government-subsidised and cost far less than in Europe or North America. The PHCC government clinic network charges expats just QR 30 per GP visit. Domestic workers — maids, drivers, nannies — are available at QR 1,200 to QR 2,500 per month.
Doha is 17% cheaper than Dubai and 5% cheaper than Abu Dhabi by cost index comparison.
The Annual Rent Upfront Problem
This is the information that most cost of living guides in Qatar bury in a footnote or skip entirely, and it is the single biggest financial shock for new arrivals.
In Qatar, the overwhelming majority of landlords expect the full year’s rent paid upfront at lease signing, or in quarterly post-dated cheques. On a QR 8,000 per month apartment, this means producing QR 96,000 at the start. On a QR 12,000 apartment, it is QR 144,000.
Monthly payment arrangements exist — some residential compounds offer them — but they typically carry a 10 to 20% premium above the annual rate. If you cannot negotiate a joining allowance or relocation package from your employer that covers this upfront commitment, you need to arrive in Qatar with enough savings to cover several months’ rent before your first salary lands.
Plan for this before you arrive. It is not negotiable with most landlords.
Three Lifestyle Tiers: Budget, Mid-Range, Premium
This guide uses three lifestyle tiers across three personas (single, couple, family). Every number that follows connects to one of these tiers.
The Budget tier describes an expat who rents in an affordable area, cooks at home most days, uses the Metro or has one used car, and is focused on maximising savings.
The Mid-Range tier describes the majority of Qatar’s professional expat community: a decent apartment in a central area, eating out two to three times per week, one car, a gym membership, occasional hotel brunches, and mid-tier entertainment choices.
The Premium tier describes expats with household incomes above QR 30,000 for singles or QR 60,000 for families: premium apartments or compound villas, regular fine dining and brunches, top-tier international schools, frequent travel, and full domestic help.
Housing Costs in Qatar 2026
Housing is typically the largest single monthly expense for any expat in Qatar. Where you live in Doha determines not just your rent figure but your commute time, your access to amenities, and your quality of life.
Rent by Area and Property Size (Monthly Equivalent)
| Area | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pearl / West Bay | QR 5,000 to QR 7,000 | QR 7,000 to QR 12,000 | QR 11,000 to QR 18,000 | QR 16,000 to QR 30,000 |
| Lusail | QR 4,000 to QR 6,000 | QR 6,000 to QR 10,000 | QR 9,000 to QR 15,000 | QR 13,000 to QR 22,000 |
| Al Sadd / Fereej | QR 2,500 to QR 4,000 | QR 3,500 to QR 6,000 | QR 5,500 to QR 8,500 | QR 8,000 to QR 12,000 |
| Old Airport / Najma | QR 2,000 to QR 3,500 | QR 3,000 to QR 5,000 | QR 4,500 to QR 7,000 | QR 7,000 to QR 10,000 |
| Al Wakrah / Suburban | QR 2,000 to QR 3,000 | QR 2,800 to QR 4,500 | QR 4,000 to QR 6,500 | QR 6,000 to QR 9,000 |
| Compound villas | N/A | N/A | QR 8,000 to QR 14,000 | QR 10,000 to QR 20,000 |
The median rent in Qatar was QR 155 per square metre as of June 2025, with apartment purchase prices averaging QR 15,484 per square metre.
Should You Live in a Compound?
Compound villas charge QR 1,000 to QR 3,000 more per month than a comparable standalone apartment. What you get in return: a swimming pool, gymnasium, 24-hour security, maintenance, parking, and a built-in expat community with events and social activities.
For families with children, the compound pool and playground replace paid weekend activities and significantly reduce entertainment spending. For couples, the compound gym eliminates a QR 300 to QR 600 monthly gym membership. The compound premium often makes economic sense once you account for what it replaces.
Hidden Costs of Renting in Qatar
On top of rent itself, budget for the following:
Agency or broker fee: one month’s rent, paid once at signing. Security deposit: one to two months’ rent, refundable at end of tenancy. Ejari registration: approximately QR 100, mandatory under Qatar tenancy law. Furniture: most Qatar apartments are unfurnished. Furnishing a one to two bedroom apartment from scratch, shopping at IKEA Doha and local furniture stores, costs QR 5,000 to QR 20,000 depending on your taste.
Food and Grocery Costs in Qatar 2026
Monthly Grocery Budgets
The monthly average spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks in Qatar is approximately QR 2,051 per person, according to 2025 data. This figure reflects the mid-range lifestyle and includes eating out occasionally.
For a single expat cooking primarily at home and shopping at Al Meera or Carrefour, QR 800 to QR 1,200 per month is realistic. Buying imported goods from Spinneys or Monoprix — French cheese, European deli meats, specialist ingredients — can push grocery spending to QR 2,500 to QR 3,500 per person per month.
For a family of four, mid-range grocery spending at Carrefour or Lulu ranges from QR 3,500 to QR 5,000 per month.
Key Grocery Prices (2026)
Milk (1 litre) costs QR 4 to QR 7. A dozen eggs runs QR 8 to QR 15. Chicken breast per kilogram is QR 18 to QR 28. Beef mince per kilogram costs QR 30 to QR 55. A 5kg bag of rice is QR 15 to QR 25. Fresh tomatoes per kilogram cost QR 4 to QR 8. A cafe coffee runs QR 15 to QR 28.
Eating Out
Qatar’s dining scene spans an enormous range. A meal at a local Indian, Yemeni, or Filipino restaurant costs QR 10 to QR 25 per person and is excellent value. A mid-range sit-down restaurant with table service costs QR 80 to QR 200 per person. Fine dining at a premium hotel restaurant runs QR 250 to QR 500 per person. The famous Qatar Friday brunch — a long-standing expat social institution — costs QR 180 to QR 400 per person at most hotels.
Transport Costs in Qatar 2026
Public Transport
The Doha Metro is excellent value. A single metro journey costs between QR 2 and QR 10 depending on distance, and a monthly pass ranges from approximately QR 100 to QR 250. The Metro connects central Doha, West Bay, Hamad International Airport, Education City, and key suburban hubs, but coverage outside these corridors is limited.
Karwa taxis start at QR 10 with QR 1.60 per kilometre. Careem rides for a typical city journey cost QR 20 to QR 60.
Car Ownership
Outside central Doha, a car is more a necessity than a choice. Monthly car costs including loan repayment on a mid-range vehicle, insurance, fuel, and maintenance average QR 2,000 to QR 3,000 per month. Petrol at QR 0.85 per litre for premium grade is an almost negligible running cost by international standards.
Utilities in Qatar 2026
Kahramaa (Electricity and Water)
Electricity, water, and gas are substantially subsidised by the Qatari government. Average monthly utility expenses range from QR 200 to QR 600 depending on usage and property size.
These figures apply to the October to May cooler months. The summer situation is different. From June through September, air conditioning runs continuously in Qatar’s extreme heat. A two-bedroom apartment’s Kahramaa bill can jump from QR 250 in April to QR 700 in August. A three-bedroom villa can reach QR 1,200 to QR 1,500 per month at the summer peak. Budget for this.
Internet and Mobile
Fibre internet plans from Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar start at QR 149 per month for 100 Mbps. Postpaid mobile plans with generous data packages cost QR 120 to QR 220 per month.
Education Costs in Qatar 2026
School fees are the variable that makes or breaks a family budget in Qatar. There is no free government schooling for expatriate children. Every expat child attends a fee-paying private or international school.
International School Fee Bands (2025/2026 Verified Fees)
Budget community schools charge QR 10,000 to QR 25,000 per child per year. Mid-range British and American curriculum schools, including Park House English School and Qatar International School, charge QR 30,000 to QR 45,000. The upper mid-range bracket, covering schools like Compass International and Newton British, runs from QR 55,000 to QR 80,000 for primary, rising at secondary and IGCSE/IB Diploma level. The premium tier, including the American School of Doha and Doha British School, charges QR 85,000 to QR 125,000 or more per child per year.
At Qatar International School, first-year enrolment fees are QR 32,970, based on 2025/2026 published figures. At Compass International School (part of Nord Anglia), Early Years 1 fees are QR 45,000 and Early Years 2 fees are QR 55,000 for the current academic year.
Beyond tuition, factor in school uniforms (QR 500 to QR 2,000 per child), school bus (QR 3,000 to QR 6,000 per child per year), school trips and exam fees (QR 1,000 to QR 5,000 per child), and in some cases textbooks charged separately.
Negotiating Education Allowances
Many Qatar employers in oil and gas, banking, healthcare, and education include a school fee allowance in the employment package, typically QR 30,000 to QR 80,000 per child per year. Employers in Qatar often provide educational allowances or benefits to support employees with children attending international schools. If you have school-age children and your employer has not offered this, ask. It is the norm in professional Qatar employment packages, not an unusual request.
Healthcare Costs in Qatar 2026
Every legal Qatar resident can register with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) for subsidised government healthcare at QR 30 per consultation. For everyday GP needs, prescriptions, and routine care, PHCC is excellent value and significantly underused by the expat community.
Private health insurance for expatriates, which most employers provide, has estimated average monthly costs of around QR 324 per person. The mandatory visitors’ health insurance for those on visit visas is QR 50 per month, covering basic emergency care.
Private clinic GP visits cost QR 200 to QR 400. Specialist consultations run QR 350 to QR 700. Hamad Medical Corporation emergency care is covered by health insurance for residents.
Entertainment and Lifestyle Costs
Hotel bar drinks cost QR 35 to QR 85 each. Qatar Distribution Company (QDC) retail pricing for licence holders is 60 to 70% cheaper. A monthly alcohol budget for a social drinker using a mix of QDC and hotel bar visits runs QR 600 to QR 1,500.
A gym membership costs QR 200 to QR 600 per month at commercial gyms. Compound residents typically use the compound gym for free. A cinema ticket at VOX or Novo costs QR 30 to QR 55. A hotel Friday brunch runs QR 180 to QR 400 per person.
Domestic Help: Qatar’s Hidden Cost Advantage
For families from Western countries, Qatar’s affordability for domestic help is often the biggest pleasant surprise. A full-time live-in maid costs QR 1,200 to QR 2,000 per month. A live-in nanny costs QR 1,500 to QR 2,500. A full-time driver runs QR 1,500 to QR 2,500.
The same full-time nanny in London or Sydney costs the equivalent of QR 15,000 to QR 25,000 per month. For dual-income professional families in Qatar, domestic help dramatically improves quality of life at a cost that would be unthinkable in their home country.
Complete Monthly Budget by Persona
Single Expat
| Category | Budget (QR) | Mid-Range (QR) | Premium (QR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | 3,500 | 6,000 | 11,000 |
| Groceries | 800 | 1,400 | 2,500 |
| Eating out | 300 | 800 | 2,500 |
| Transport | 500 | 1,800 | 3,000 |
| Utilities | 350 | 500 | 700 |
| Mobile | 80 | 150 | 200 |
| Healthcare | 100 | 300 | 600 |
| Entertainment | 300 | 700 | 3,000 |
| Alcohol | 0 | 500 | 2,000 |
| Buffer / savings | 500 | 800 | 2,000 |
| Total | 6,430 | 12,950 | 27,500 |
QR 8,000 per month is survival-level. QR 12,000 is comfortable. QR 20,000 as a single is an excellent standard of living with meaningful savings.
Couple Without Children
| Category | Budget (QR) | Mid-Range (QR) | Premium (QR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR) | 5,500 | 9,000 | 15,000 |
| Groceries | 1,500 | 2,500 | 5,000 |
| Eating out | 600 | 1,500 | 4,000 |
| Transport (1 car) | 1,500 | 2,200 | 3,500 |
| Utilities | 450 | 650 | 900 |
| Mobile (x2) | 160 | 280 | 400 |
| Healthcare | 200 | 600 | 1,200 |
| Entertainment | 500 | 1,500 | 5,000 |
| Alcohol | 0 | 800 | 2,500 |
| Buffer / savings | 800 | 1,200 | 3,000 |
| Total | 11,210 | 20,230 | 40,500 |
QR 14,000 combined is workable for a couple. QR 20,000 is comfortable with room for savings. QR 30,000 combined is a genuinely comfortable life with regular dining out, travel, and a savings buffer.
Family of Four (2 Adults, 2 School-Age Children)
| Category | Budget (QR) | Mid-Range (QR) | Premium (QR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (3BR or compound) | 8,000 | 13,000 | 22,000 |
| Groceries | 2,500 | 4,000 | 8,000 |
| Eating out | 800 | 2,000 | 5,000 |
| Transport (1 to 2 cars) | 2,000 | 3,500 | 5,500 |
| Utilities | 600 | 900 | 1,400 |
| Mobile (x2 adults) | 160 | 280 | 400 |
| School fees (2 children) | 3,000 | 7,500 | 17,000 |
| School bus | 700 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Healthcare | 400 | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Entertainment | 800 | 2,000 | 6,000 |
| Domestic help | 1,200 | 1,800 | 2,500 |
| Alcohol | 0 | 800 | 2,000 |
| Buffer / savings | 1,000 | 2,000 | 5,000 |
| Total | 21,160 | 39,480 | 77,800 |
QR 25,000 per month is the minimum viable family salary in Qatar without employer-provided housing or school allowances. QR 35,000 to QR 45,000 is the comfortable mid-range. QR 60,000 and above is premium lifestyle territory with full schooling, regular travel, and strong savings capacity.
Salary Adequacy Quick Reference
| Monthly Salary (QR) | Single | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | Tight | Very tight | Insufficient |
| 12,000 | Comfortable | Tight | Insufficient |
| 18,000 | Very comfortable | Comfortable | Very tight |
| 25,000 | Premium | Very comfortable | Minimum viable |
| 35,000 | Excellent | Premium | Comfortable |
| 50,000+ | Exceptional | Excellent | Very comfortable |
If your employer provides accommodation and school fees as part of the package — very common in Qatar’s major employment sectors — your required cash salary drops by QR 8,000 to QR 25,000 per month depending on family size. Always evaluate the total package, not just the salary line.
Money-Saving Tips for Qatar Expats
Shop at Al Meera for everyday groceries. It is the most affordable major supermarket in Qatar and consistently underestimated by new arrivals who default to Carrefour or Lulu.
Register at your nearest PHCC clinic the week you get your QID. Paying QR 30 for a GP visit versus QR 300 at a private clinic is a saving that compounds meaningfully over a year.
Rent slightly outside the centre. Al Sadd and Old Airport Road are 10 to 15 minutes from West Bay by Metro and Careem. Rents in these areas run 40 to 50% below comparable West Bay apartments.
Get a QDC alcohol licence as soon as your QID and WPS salary are active. The QR 70 monthly licence fee pays back within one evening’s worth of hotel bar drink prices.
If you have children, seriously evaluate compound living. The pool, gym, playground, and community events replace multiple paid weekend activities and cut entertainment spending considerably.
Negotiate your employment package properly. In Qatar’s professional job market, housing allowance, school fees, annual flights home, and health insurance are standard package components, not bonuses. If these are not offered, ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to live comfortably in Qatar as a single expat? QR 10,000 to QR 14,000 per month covers a comfortable life for a single expat in Doha — a decent one-bedroom apartment in a central area, a car, eating out a few times per week, gym membership, and some savings. QR 8,000 is workable but leaves little room for extras.
Q: Is Qatar expensive for expats? It depends on your reference point. Qatar is expensive for groceries, alcohol, and premium housing. It is genuinely cheap for petrol, utilities, domestic help, and healthcare. Zero income tax means your gross salary equals your take-home pay, which changes the comparison against Western countries significantly.
Q: Is Qatar more expensive than Dubai? Doha is approximately 17% cheaper than Dubai by cost of living index. Qatar’s fuel is dramatically cheaper than the UAE. Housing and school fees are broadly comparable. Dubai offers more entertainment options.
Q: Do I pay income tax in Qatar? No. Qatar levies zero personal income tax on expatriates or residents. Your gross monthly salary is your take-home salary.
Q: Is rent in Qatar paid monthly? The standard in Qatar is annual rent paid upfront or in quarterly post-dated cheques. Monthly payment arrangements are available in some compounds but carry a premium. Plan for the upfront commitment before arriving.
Q: How much are international school fees in Qatar? Annual fees at international schools in Qatar typically range from QR 20,000 to QR 80,000 or more depending on school reputation, curriculum, and facilities. Premium schools charge QR 85,000 to QR 125,000 per child per year. Always ask your employer about an education allowance — it is standard in many professional Qatar contracts.
Summary
Qatar in 2026 is an expensive city by global standards in specific areas — rent, school fees, alcohol, and imported food. It is genuinely and dramatically affordable in others — fuel, utilities, domestic help, and healthcare. The zero income tax structure means every Qatari Riyal you earn is yours to keep, which transforms the comparison against salaries in tax-heavy Western countries.
A single expat can live comfortably on QR 12,000 per month. A couple needs QR 20,000. A family of four needs QR 30,000 to QR 45,000 depending on school choice. The most important financial preparation is understanding the annual rent upfront requirement and, for families, factoring international school fees into the package negotiation before signing anything.
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Last Reviewed: February 2026 | Sources: Numbeo, Expatistan, Expatica Qatar, Edarabia, Living Cost Index, school fee data from Doha British School, Compass International, Qatar International School | Reading Time: 16 minutes
Data in this article is sourced from Numbeo (February 2026), Expatistan (2026), Expatica Qatar (2026), Living Cost Index (Doha 2026), Edarabia school fee data (2025/2026), and published fee schedules from Doha British School, Compass International School, and Qatar International School. Individual costs vary significantly based on lifestyle, employer package, and area. Always verify current figures with specific providers before making financial decisions.
Published on Alzeenah.com — Qatar’s Trusted Expat Resource