Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Qatar
Currency:
| Food | - 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 38% cheaper than in Qatar | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (46 ﷼) | 93 ﷼ | - 51% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 34 (34 ﷼) | 30 ﷼ | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 18 (18 ﷼) | 17 ﷼ | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 6 (6 ﷼) | 7 ﷼ | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (13 ﷼) | 14 ﷼ | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 6 (6 ﷼) | 5.83 ﷼ | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 19 (19 ﷼) | 21 ﷼ | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (9 ﷼) | 8 ﷼ | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.47 (4.43 ﷼) | 5.16 ﷼ | - 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 10 (10 ﷼) | 36 ﷼ | - 74% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 59 (59 ﷼) | 142 ﷼ | - 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 7 (7 ﷼) | 7 ﷼ | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 5.06 (5.02 ﷼) | 6 ﷼ | - 19% | |
| Housing | + 39% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 39% more expensive than in Qatar | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 14,225 (14,117 ﷼) | 9,147 ﷼ | + 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 9,147 (9,078 ﷼) | 5,116 ﷼ | + 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 766 (760 ﷼) | 401 ﷼ | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 8,038 (7,976 ﷼) | 5,490 ﷼ | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 5,261 (5,221 ﷼) | 3,850 ﷼ | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 580 (576 ﷼) | 254 ﷼ | + 126% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 331 (328 ﷼) | 326 ﷼ | + 1% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 811 (805 ﷼) | 733 ﷼ | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (339 ﷼) | 355 ﷼ | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 33 (32 ﷼) | 31 ﷼ | + 3% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 29 (29 ﷼) | 44 ﷼ | - 34% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 16% more expensive than in Qatar | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 263 (261 ﷼) | 213 ﷼ | + 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 228 (226 ﷼) | 197 ﷼ | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 407 (404 ﷼) | 385 ﷼ | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 419 (416 ﷼) | 330 ﷼ | + 26% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 21% more expensive than in Qatar | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 96,151 (95,419 ﷼) | 80,945 ﷼ | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.88 (2.86 ﷼) | 2.06 ﷼ | + 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 270 (268 ﷼) | 220 ﷼ | + 22% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 38% more expensive than in Qatar | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (22 ﷼) | 22 ﷼ | - 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 99 (98 ﷼) | 58 ﷼ | + 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 315 (312 ﷼) | 281 ﷼ | + 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 21 (20 ﷼) | 31 ﷼ | - 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 22 (21 ﷼) | 12 ﷼ | + 82% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 22 (22 ﷼) | 13 ﷼ | + 64% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 11 (11 ﷼) | 9 ﷼ | + 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 16 (16 ﷼) | 7 ﷼ | + 116% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 41 (41 ﷼) | 46 ﷼ | - 12% | |
| Entertainment | - 9% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 9% cheaper than in Qatar | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 179 (177 ﷼) | 233 ﷼ | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 96 (95 ﷼) | 110 ﷼ | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 484 (481 ﷼) | 120 ﷼ | + 302% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 284 (281 ﷼) | 325 ﷼ | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 78 (77 ﷼) | 100 ﷼ | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 22 (22 ﷼) | 22 ﷼ | - 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (45 ﷼) | 55 ﷼ | - 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,716 (1,703 ﷼) | 900 ﷼ | + 89% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 1.20 (1.20 ﷼) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 321 (319 ﷼) | 383 ﷼ | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 22 (22 ﷼) | 18 ﷼ | + 18% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,037 prices entered by 195 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.992
QAR
/
AED
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 8% more expensive than in Qatar
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