I have lived in Europe briefly, and of course my native Australia. I lived in Abu Dhabi 2 years prior to coming here.
In comparison to Abu Dhabi - much the same for groceries, cheaper for accomodation.
As a general rule, petrol and cigarettes, and consumer durable products are much cheaper here than Australia & Europe. Groceries are much more expensive, as they are imported. However, and ironically, I have been paying less for Australian lamb & beef here, than when I left Australia.
I'm just trying to save ex-pats from the pitfalls I faced when I landed here awhile back. It wasn't until I found Strong that I realized I was being screwed on car rentals.
Groceries are not as expensive as Kuwait or Bahrain (both countries I have lived in recently). Perhaps you just haven't lived in too many other places to judge prices properly....? just a thought...
mr. qatar-engineer seems more like the salesman at Strong rent a car.
Anyway, Qatar is one of the most expensive countries to live in. Agreed, this is not the case if your housing, schooling, etc are paid. But groceries are obv much more expensive than every country I have been to (except Japan).
Since qatar does not have income tax, assume you are taxed about 30% of your salary when you go to buy food, cars, groceries etc.
I agree 100% with Ralph, the 1st post. Housing is very expensive, although it's coming down very fast. I just signed a lease on a villa for 10500QR/mth(~$2900USD). It's brand new, 2 stories, 4 beds, 3 1/2 baths, huge rear patio, covered parking, pool, clubhouse, close to Villagio Mall. You can get furnished 2-3 bed apts for 6500-9000Qr/mth (~$1800+) all over the place nowadays. Groceries are cheap for the most part. Only certain , select items are really expensive. Petrol is practically free here. Utilities (if you have to pay them at all) are very cheap. The best place to buy clothing is on the internet or wait for a sale in the mall stores. Other household items and appliances are very reasonably priced as well. As someone mentioned, it really depends on your income and usual standard of living. The 'general labor' ex-pats will find it extremely expensive.
For you and anyone looking for the best car rental rates from a professional rental company, I would suggest using "Strong Rent-A-Car" on Salwa Rd. I purchased a primary car to move the family around, but I rented a 2nd car from Strong for 1740QR/mth for a 1 yr contract. It's a brand new Nissan Sunny, but it's clean and reliable as a 2nd car. AVOID Petra rent-a-car in Al Saad. They have beaten down old cars and they will charge you 2000-2500QR/mth. They're not very professional and just very difficult to deal with, for ex-pats at least.
Doha is the most expensive city in the GCC (atleast more expensive than Dubai these days). House rents, car rentals, groceries, and everything else, except for petrol is higher. Please don't ask me for a source. This is my personal opinion.
The cost of living here is cheap! Although when we talk about rentals for apartments/villas/flats it is expensive. Grocery items are priced reasonably and is affordable and worth. Eating at restaurants more than once a week is fine (restaurants that are not fine dine). Clothing. There are many store here to choose your clothes from. There are many stores inside the shopping mall that is more often than not that sell on sale. Cosmetics. Well I'm a boy and so I don't know much about these but I see most women here wear make up always so I think the price is tolerable. Obviously the prices of oil and gas here is cheap. So overall, living here in Doha is cheap.
Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.
thanks qatar_engineer will keep the car rental place in mind as we too are thinking of leasing a 2nd car.
and Mick_Ryan - I'm a fellow Aussie - it's goog to know meats from downunder are not only available, but cheaper too!
What's the deal with furniture? I take it there's no IKEA here?
I have lived in Europe briefly, and of course my native Australia. I lived in Abu Dhabi 2 years prior to coming here.
In comparison to Abu Dhabi - much the same for groceries, cheaper for accomodation.
As a general rule, petrol and cigarettes, and consumer durable products are much cheaper here than Australia & Europe. Groceries are much more expensive, as they are imported. However, and ironically, I have been paying less for Australian lamb & beef here, than when I left Australia.
Mick
I'm just trying to save ex-pats from the pitfalls I faced when I landed here awhile back. It wasn't until I found Strong that I realized I was being screwed on car rentals.
Groceries are not as expensive as Kuwait or Bahrain (both countries I have lived in recently). Perhaps you just haven't lived in too many other places to judge prices properly....? just a thought...
mr. qatar-engineer seems more like the salesman at Strong rent a car.
Anyway, Qatar is one of the most expensive countries to live in. Agreed, this is not the case if your housing, schooling, etc are paid. But groceries are obv much more expensive than every country I have been to (except Japan).
Since qatar does not have income tax, assume you are taxed about 30% of your salary when you go to buy food, cars, groceries etc.
I agree 100% with Ralph, the 1st post. Housing is very expensive, although it's coming down very fast. I just signed a lease on a villa for 10500QR/mth(~$2900USD). It's brand new, 2 stories, 4 beds, 3 1/2 baths, huge rear patio, covered parking, pool, clubhouse, close to Villagio Mall. You can get furnished 2-3 bed apts for 6500-9000Qr/mth (~$1800+) all over the place nowadays. Groceries are cheap for the most part. Only certain , select items are really expensive. Petrol is practically free here. Utilities (if you have to pay them at all) are very cheap. The best place to buy clothing is on the internet or wait for a sale in the mall stores. Other household items and appliances are very reasonably priced as well. As someone mentioned, it really depends on your income and usual standard of living. The 'general labor' ex-pats will find it extremely expensive.
For you and anyone looking for the best car rental rates from a professional rental company, I would suggest using "Strong Rent-A-Car" on Salwa Rd. I purchased a primary car to move the family around, but I rented a 2nd car from Strong for 1740QR/mth for a 1 yr contract. It's a brand new Nissan Sunny, but it's clean and reliable as a 2nd car. AVOID Petra rent-a-car in Al Saad. They have beaten down old cars and they will charge you 2000-2500QR/mth. They're not very professional and just very difficult to deal with, for ex-pats at least.
COMPARE TO OTHER MIDDLE EAST SPECIALLY DUBAI AND KUWAIT DOHA IS LESS EXPENSIVE.RENT IS AFFORDABLE ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE'S STANDARD.
Doha is the most expensive city in the GCC (atleast more expensive than Dubai these days). House rents, car rentals, groceries, and everything else, except for petrol is higher. Please don't ask me for a source. This is my personal opinion.
30% MORE EXPENSIVE THAN 4 YEARS AGO.
DON'T BE FOOLED....£5 FOR A DOZEN EGGS. MAKEUP DOUBLE THAN IN UK. WESTERN BUTTER £3 SMALL.
CLOTHES FROM WESTERN SHOPS 20% MORE...JUST READ THE LABELS.
I BUY IN UK AND BRING IT OVER
ONLY THING GOOD IS THE PETROL, £6 TO FILL MY COROLLA.
its depends on ur earning & ur life style but i think its expensive:)
doha is very cheap..for rich people.
The cost of living here is cheap! Although when we talk about rentals for apartments/villas/flats it is expensive. Grocery items are priced reasonably and is affordable and worth. Eating at restaurants more than once a week is fine (restaurants that are not fine dine). Clothing. There are many store here to choose your clothes from. There are many stores inside the shopping mall that is more often than not that sell on sale. Cosmetics. Well I'm a boy and so I don't know much about these but I see most women here wear make up always so I think the price is tolerable. Obviously the prices of oil and gas here is cheap. So overall, living here in Doha is cheap.