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Doha vs Abu Dhabi

Doha runs about 7% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

View from the Multi Purpose Hall (Amphitheatre) of Katara Cultural Village, Doha, Qatar
Doha
$2,777/month · Qatar
Zairon · CC BY 4.0
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
Doha monthly
$2,777
Index 44 (NYC = 100)
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+7%
Abu Dhabi relative to Doha
Rent gap
$100
Abu Dhabi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DohaAbu Dhabi
  • Housing
    Housing: Doha $1,600, Abu Dhabi $1,700. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Food
    Food: Doha $568, Abu Dhabi $597. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Transport
    Transport: Doha $47, Abu Dhabi $83. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Doha $249, Abu Dhabi $255. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Doha $39, Abu Dhabi $42. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Doha $187, Abu Dhabi $191. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Other
    Other: Doha $87, Abu Dhabi $93. 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

MetricDohaAbu Dhabi
Cost
Total monthly cost2,777 USD✓2,960 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)44✓46
Housing1,600 USD✓1,700 USD
Utilities249 USD✓255 USD
Food568 USD✓597 USD
Transport47 USD✓83 USD
Healthcare39 USD✓42 USD
Lifestyle187 USD✓191 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD8,333 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%0.0%
Left over each month5,556 USD✓5,373 USD
Average local net salary3,600 USD3,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD✓1,700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD✓3,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,600 USD✓4,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety92/10092/100
Healthcare78/10080/100✓
Air quality44/10052/100✓
Public transport60/100✓55/100
Walkability40/10045/100✓
English proficiency80/10086/100✓
Nightlife50/10066/100✓
Family friendliness76/10080/100✓
Median broadband250 Mbps290 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high42°C42°C
Winter low14°C14°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,400 h
Annual rainfall75 mm60 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access20 min15 min✓
CurrencyQARAED
Time zoneAsia/QatarAsia/Dubai

Doha runs about 7% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in DohaCost of living in Abu DhabiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Doha vs DubaiDoha vs RiyadhDoha vs Tel Aviv
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Doha or Abu Dhabi cheaper?

Doha runs about 7% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

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

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

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

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