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Abu Dhabi vs Doha

Doha runs about 6% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

View of the beach at the Beach Rotana hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
$2,960/month · United Arab Emirates
Jpbowen · CC BY-SA 4.0
View from the Multi Purpose Hall (Amphitheatre) of Katara Cultural Village, Doha, Qatar
Doha
$2,777/month · Qatar
Zairon · CC BY 4.0
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Doha monthly
$2,777
Index 44 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-6%
Doha relative to Abu Dhabi
Rent gap
$100
Abu Dhabi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Abu DhabiDoha
  • Housing
    Housing: Abu Dhabi $1,700, Doha $1,600. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Food
    Food: Abu Dhabi $597, Doha $568. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Transport
    Transport: Abu Dhabi $83, Doha $47. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Abu Dhabi $255, Doha $249. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Abu Dhabi $42, Doha $39. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Abu Dhabi $191, Doha $187. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Other
    Other: Abu Dhabi $93, Doha $87. Cheaper in Doha.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAbu DhabiDoha
Cost
Total monthly cost2,960 USD2,777 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4644✓
Housing1,700 USD1,600 USD✓
Utilities255 USD249 USD✓
Food597 USD568 USD✓
Transport83 USD47 USD✓
Healthcare42 USD39 USD✓
Lifestyle191 USD187 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD8,333 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%0.0%
Left over each month5,373 USD5,556 USD✓
Average local net salary3,900 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD1,600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD3,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD3,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety92/10092/100
Healthcare80/100✓78/100
Air quality52/100✓44/100
Public transport55/10060/100✓
Walkability45/100✓40/100
English proficiency86/100✓80/100
Nightlife66/100✓50/100
Family friendliness80/100✓76/100
Median broadband290 Mbps✓250 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high42°C42°C
Winter low14°C14°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,400 h
Annual rainfall60 mm✓75 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓20 min
CurrencyAEDQAR
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAsia/Qatar

Doha runs about 6% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Abu DhabiCost of living in DohaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Abu Dhabi vs DubaiAbu Dhabi vs Tel AvivAbu Dhabi vs Riyadh
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Abu Dhabi or Doha cheaper?

Doha runs about 6% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Doha compared with Abu Dhabi?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Abu Dhabi and $8,333 in Doha, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Abu Dhabi or Doha?

Abu Dhabi scores 92/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Doha scores 92 and 78. Abu Dhabi averages 28°C against 28°C in Doha.