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Doha vs Dubai

Doha runs about 23% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 640 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
The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Doha monthly
$2,777
Index 44 (NYC = 100)
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+23%
Dubai relative to Doha
Rent gap
$500
Dubai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DohaDubai
  • Housing
    Housing: Doha $1,600, Dubai $2,100. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Food
    Food: Doha $568, Dubai $620. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Transport
    Transport: Doha $47, Dubai $92. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Doha $249, Dubai $264. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Doha $39, Dubai $44. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Doha $187, Dubai $199. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Other
    Other: Doha $87, Dubai $98. 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

MetricDohaDubai
Cost
Total monthly cost2,777 USD✓3,417 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)44✓54
Housing1,600 USD✓2,100 USD
Utilities249 USD✓264 USD
Food568 USD✓620 USD
Transport47 USD✓92 USD
Healthcare39 USD✓44 USD
Lifestyle187 USD✓199 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✓4,917 USD
Average local net salary3,600 USD3,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD✓2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD✓4,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,600 USD✓5,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓88/100
Healthcare78/10080/100✓
Air quality44/10048/100✓
Public transport60/10072/100✓
Walkability40/10055/100✓
English proficiency80/10088/100✓
Nightlife50/10086/100✓
Family friendliness76/10076/100
Median broadband250 Mbps300 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high42°C41°C✓
Winter low14°C15°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,500 h✓
Annual rainfall75 mm✓90 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access20 min15 min✓
CurrencyQARAED
Time zoneAsia/QatarAsia/Dubai

Doha runs about 23% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 640 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Doha or Dubai cheaper?

Doha runs about 23% cheaper than Dubai for this household, a difference of 640 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Dubai compared with Doha?

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

Which has better quality of life, Doha or Dubai?

Doha scores 92/100 on safety and 78/100 on healthcare; Dubai scores 88 and 80. Doha averages 28°C against 28°C in Dubai.