The cost of living well in Doha.

Our verdict. Doha suits a family that wants Gulf tax terms and a British school at a little over a fifth of London's cost. Doha College charges QR 74,841 for the sixth form, and a 20 m berth at Old Doha Port QAR 50,000 a year. Salaries are not taxed, and foreign income generally falls outside Qatar's territorial tax. The drawback is the rent: a four-bedroom villa at West Bay Lagoon, the top of the villa market, costs QAR 23,428 a month, and Doha Golf Club publishes no fees. Next to Abu Dhabi, the school year costs about the same and the villa rent about half.

1. A prime family home, rented2026£58k

   QAR 281,136 a year · Average monthly rent, 4-bed villa, West Bay Lagoon (highest villa rents in Qatar), QAR 23,428 x 12

   Knight Frank, Qatar Real Estate Market Review Q1 2026, Q1 2026

2. Senior school fees, two children2026-27£31k

   QAR 74,841 a year a child · Doha College, 6th Form (Years 12-13) tuition QR 24,947 per term x 3 terms

   Doha College, School Fees, 2026-27 fee schedule

3. Membership at a leading golf club—

   Doha Golf Club publishes no current membership fees.

4. A berth for a 20 m yacht2026£10k

   QAR 50,000 a year · Old Doha Port (Mina District) general berth lease, 20-21 m band QAR 2,500 per metre per year x 20 m

   Old Doha Port, Berthing packages information, 2026 tariff

5. A full-time housekeeper or nanny2021£2,476

   QAR 12,000 a year · Statutory minimum basic wage QAR 1,000/month x 12, where the employer provides food and accommodation (live-in)

   ILO, Qatar's new minimum wage enters into force, Law No. 17 of 2020, in force 20 Mar 2021

6. Tasting menu for two, twice a month—

   IDAM, Doha’s best-known Michelin-starred restaurant, is temporarily closed, and the city’s other starred restaurants publish no tasting-menu price.

Figures are published prices, fees and surveys as dated, converted to pounds at the stated rates. They change, vary by home, school year and membership, and are a guide, not a quote. Nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice.

• London£322k+262%
• Monaco£313k+252%
• Dubai£307k+245%
• New York£255k+187%
• Hong Kong£208k+134%
• Miami£176k+98%
• Los Angeles£174k+95%
• Milan£171k+93%
• Paris£160k+80%
• Geneva£152k+71%
• Singapore£147k+66%
• Abu Dhabi£145k+63%
• Amsterdam£120k+35%
• Bangkok£112k+26%
• Riyadh£108k+22%
• Munich£104k+17%
• Manchester£95k+7%
• Lisbon£93k+5%
• Muscat£80k−10%
• Marbella£78k−12%
• Phuket£70k−21%
• Jeddah£68k−23%
• Kuala Lumpur£59k−34%
• Manama£36k−59%
• Kuwait City£25k−72%

Pounds at ECB reference rates (Gulf currencies at their dollar pegs) rates of 2026-10-20.