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Doha vs Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 22% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 608 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
Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018
Riyadh
$2,169/month · Saudi Arabia
B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0
Doha monthly
$2,777
Index 44 (NYC = 100)
Riyadh monthly
$2,169
Index 34 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-22%
Riyadh relative to Doha
Rent gap
$500
Doha costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DohaRiyadh
  • Housing
    Housing: Doha $1,600, Riyadh $1,100. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Food
    Food: Doha $568, Riyadh $496. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Transport
    Transport: Doha $47, Riyadh $85. Cheaper in Doha.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Doha $249, Riyadh $204. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Doha $39, Riyadh $35. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Doha $187, Riyadh $170. Cheaper in Riyadh.
  • Other
    Other: Doha $87, Riyadh $79. Cheaper in Riyadh.
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

MetricDohaRiyadh
Cost
Total monthly cost2,777 USD2,169 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4434✓
Housing1,600 USD1,100 USD✓
Utilities249 USD204 USD✓
Food568 USD496 USD✓
Transport47 USD✓85 USD
Healthcare39 USD35 USD✓
Lifestyle187 USD170 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 USD6,165 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓2,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD1,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD2,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,600 USD2,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓80/100
Healthcare78/100✓74/100
Air quality44/100✓38/100
Public transport60/100✓45/100
Walkability40/100✓30/100
English proficiency80/100✓66/100
Nightlife50/100✓25/100
Family friendliness76/100✓72/100
Median broadband250 Mbps✓140 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C26°C✓
Summer high42°C✓44°C
Winter low14°C✓9°C
Sunshine hours per year3,400 h3,400 h
Annual rainfall75 mm✓110 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓None nearby
CurrencyQARSAR
Time zoneAsia/QatarAsia/Riyadh

Riyadh runs about 22% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 608 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Doha or Riyadh cheaper?

Riyadh runs about 22% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 608 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Riyadh compared with Doha?

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

Which has better quality of life, Doha or Riyadh?

Doha scores 92/100 on safety and 78/100 on healthcare; Riyadh scores 80 and 74. Doha averages 28°C against 26°C in Riyadh.