Cost of living in Qatar compared to China
Currency:
Food | + 71% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Qatar is 71% more expensive than in China | ||||
Qatar | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 40 ﷼ (78元) | 46元 | + 68% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 25 ﷼ (49元) | 40元 | + 24% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 19 ﷼ (37元) | 16元 | + 131% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 ﷼ (13元) | 18元 | - 28% | |
12 eggs, large | 22 ﷼ (43元) | 19元 | + 127% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 5.27 ﷼ (10元) | 11元 | - 6% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 27 ﷼ (52元) | 63元 | - 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7 ﷼ (14元) | 15元 | - 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4.87 ﷼ (9元) | 6元 | + 49% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 31 ﷼ (60元) | 7元 | + 718% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 112 ﷼ (217元) | 118元 | + 84% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 9 ﷼ (17元) | 8元 | + 103% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 4.25 ﷼ (8元) | 16元 | - 50% | |
Housing | + 92% | |||
Housing in Qatar is 92% more expensive than in China | ||||
Qatar | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 10,997 ﷼ (21,389元) | 15,059元 | + 42% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,427 ﷼ (14,445元) | 9,006元 | + 60% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 579 ﷼ (1,127元) | 421元 | + 167% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,671 ﷼ (14,919元) | 7,547元 | + 98% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,418 ﷼ (8,592元) | 4,347元 | + 98% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 368 ﷼ (715元) | 262元 | + 173% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 327 ﷼ (636元) | 115元 | + 452% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,531 ﷼ (2,978元) | 1,143元 | + 161% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 421 ﷼ (818元) | 589元 | + 39% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 54 ﷼ (105元) | 39元 | + 172% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 33 ﷼ (63元) | 51元 | + 24% | |
Clothes | + 3% | |||
Clothes in Qatar is about the same as in China | ||||
Qatar | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 221 ﷼ (429元) | 529元 | - 19% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 150 ﷼ (292元) | 248元 | + 18% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 359 ﷼ (697元) | 626元 | + 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 360 ﷼ (700元) | 828元 | - 15% | |
Transportation | + 6% | |||
Transportation in Qatar is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
Qatar | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 104,438 ﷼ (203,124元) | 161,247元 | + 26% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2.17 ﷼ (4.22元) | 9元 | - 51% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 125 ﷼ (242元) | 204元 | + 19% | |
Personal Care | + 31% | |||
Personal Care in Qatar is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
Qatar | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 18 ﷼ (35元) | 39元 | - 11% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 65 ﷼ (127元) | 27元 | + 372% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 263 ﷼ (512元) | 391元 | + 31% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 20 ﷼ (39元) | 53元 | - 26% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 14 ﷼ (27元) | 33元 | - 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 14 ﷼ (28元) | 34元 | - 19% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 13 ﷼ (25元) | 13元 | + 86% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 9 ﷼ (18元) | 15元 | + 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 59 ﷼ (114元) | 74元 | + 53% | |
Entertainment | + 81% | |||
Entertainment in Qatar is 81% more expensive than in China | ||||
Qatar | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 199 ﷼ (387元) | 265元 | + 46% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 78 ﷼ (152元) | 110元 | + 38% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 387 ﷼ (752元) | 1,294元 | - 42% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 321 ﷼ (625元) | 348元 | + 80% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 78 ﷼ (152元) | 79元 | + 92% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 23 ﷼ (45元) | 29元 | + 53% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 60 ﷼ (117元) | 18元 | + 551% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 1,699 ﷼ (3,304元) | 3,321元 | - 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.72 ﷼ (1.40元) | 0.20元 | + 600% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 350 ﷼ (680元) | 410元 | + 66% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 17 ﷼ (34元) | 24元 | + 39% | |
TOTAL | + 56% |

These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.945
CNY
/
QAR
Cost of living in Qatar is 56% more expensive than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Armenia is about the same as in China
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 70% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 13% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Andorra is 54% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 40% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 25% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 37% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is about the same as in China