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Istanbul vs Doha

Istanbul runs about 96% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 1,361 USD a month.

drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
View from the Multi Purpose Hall (Amphitheatre) of Katara Cultural Village, Doha, Qatar
Doha
$2,777/month · Qatar
Zairon · CC BY 4.0
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Doha monthly
$2,777
Index 44 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+96%
Doha relative to Istanbul
Rent gap
$900
Doha costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricIstanbulDoha
Cost
Total monthly cost1,416 USD✓2,777 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)22✓44
Housing700 USD✓1,600 USD
Utilities112 USD✓249 USD
Food384 USD✓568 USD
Transport67 USD47 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD✓39 USD
Lifestyle84 USD✓187 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,269 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate48.8%0.0%✓
Left over each month2,853 USD5,556 USD✓
Average local net salary800 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD✓1,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD✓3,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD✓3,600 USD
Quality of life
Safety54/10092/100✓
Healthcare66/10078/100✓
Air quality42/10044/100✓
Public transport76/100✓60/100
Walkability70/100✓40/100
English proficiency42/10080/100✓
Nightlife84/100✓50/100
Family friendliness66/10076/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps250 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓28°C
Summer high29°C✓42°C
Winter low3°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,350 h3,400 h✓
Annual rainfall840 mm75 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access30 min20 min✓
CurrencyTRYQAR
Time zoneEurope/IstanbulAsia/Qatar

Istanbul runs about 96% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 1,361 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in IstanbulCost of living in DohaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Istanbul or Doha cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 96% cheaper than Doha for this household, a difference of 1,361 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Doha compared with Istanbul?

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

Which has better quality of life, Istanbul or Doha?

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