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Doha vs Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 49% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 1,361 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
drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
Doha monthly
$2,777
Index 44 (NYC = 100)
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-49%
Istanbul relative to Doha
Rent gap
$900
Doha costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DohaIstanbul
  • Housing
    Housing: Doha $1,600, Istanbul $700. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Food
    Food: Doha $568, Istanbul $384. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Transport
    Transport: Doha $47, Istanbul $67. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Doha $249, Istanbul $112. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Doha $39, Istanbul $16. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Doha $187, Istanbul $84. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Other
    Other: Doha $87, Istanbul $53. Cheaper in Istanbul.
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

MetricDohaIstanbul
Cost
Total monthly cost2,777 USD1,416 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4422✓
Housing1,600 USD700 USD✓
Utilities249 USD112 USD✓
Food568 USD384 USD✓
Transport47 USD✓67 USD
Healthcare39 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle187 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD✓4,269 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%✓48.8%
Left over each month5,556 USD✓2,853 USD
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD1,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,600 USD3,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓54/100
Healthcare78/100✓66/100
Air quality44/100✓42/100
Public transport60/10076/100✓
Walkability40/10070/100✓
English proficiency80/100✓42/100
Nightlife50/10084/100✓
Family friendliness76/100✓66/100
Median broadband250 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C15°C✓
Summer high42°C29°C✓
Winter low14°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h✓2,350 h
Annual rainfall75 mm✓840 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access20 min✓30 min
CurrencyQARTRY
Time zoneAsia/QatarEurope/Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 49% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 1,361 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in DohaCost of living in IstanbulConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Doha or Istanbul cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 49% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 1,361 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Istanbul compared with Doha?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Doha and $4,269 in Istanbul, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Doha or Istanbul?

Doha scores 92/100 on safety and 78/100 on healthcare; Istanbul scores 54 and 66. Doha averages 28°C against 15°C in Istanbul.