Living and studying in Qum naturally involves various expenses, including accommodation, daily necessities, transport and recreational activities. Given the importance of this aspect for potential students and the concerns they have, this topic will be dealt with in some depth; however, it goes without saying that the figures quoted here heavily depend on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices.
Similarly, as hawzah students, it is important to remember that we do not see ourselves as solely responsible for meeting these expenses; rather it is Allah (swt) who is the ultimate Provider and Sustainer and He (swt) opens the doors of blessings and sustenance for those who sincerely strive for Him. Therefore, the purpose of this section is to provide general ideas of living costs so students can budget accordingly, rather than to discourage them from pursuing the path of knowledge in the holy city.
Accommodation
Accommodation constitutes a significant portion of a married student’s budget whereas single students are normally provided free accommodation in the hawzah dormitory. More detailed information regarding accommodation can be found in the Accommodation chapter; however, as a summary, there are three main expenses one should be aware of: the monthly rent, the security deposit and the setting-up costs. Utilities such as electricity, water, and gas are usually additional expenses and will vary based on the season but would average around $5 to $10 per month.
| Size (m²) | Bedrooms | Av. monthly rent ($) | Av. security deposit ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75–80 | 1 | 100–120 | 5,000 |
| 100–110 | 2 | 120–150 | 6,000 |
| 150–160 | 3 | 220–250 | 12,000 |
In terms of initial setup expenses, as most properties are unfurnished, the student will need to purchase various items to make the property habitable, although again, the items required will differ greatly depending on individual circumstances. In addition to these items, naturally, there will be numerous other lower value essentials that may need to be purchased such as kitchenware and linen etc.
| Item | Second-hand ($) | New, budget ($) | New, high-end ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fridge/freezer | 100 | 350 | 700 |
| Stove/oven | 75 | 200 | 400 |
| Washing machine | 80 | 225 | 350 |
| Double mattress | 20 | 50 | 300 |
| Single mattress | 15 | 30 | 200 |
| Carpet (per m²) | — | 1.50 | 5 |
| Persian rug (12 m²) | 40 | 80 | 250 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 40 | 75 | 175 |
| Television (43”) | 100 | 150 | 225 |
| Sofa set | 50 | 250 | 1,000 |
Transport
Transportation in Qum primarily consists of taxis, buses, and private vehicles. Overall, taxi and bus fares are relatively affordable, making it convenient for students to navigate the city and access various amenities, religious sites and hawzahs. The fare for private taxis within the city varies depending on the distance travelled and the time of day. To give a general idea, the cost of a taxi from the haram of Lady Masumah (a) to Jamkaran mosque (approx. 7km) would cost between $0.60
- $1 in mid-morning but may be 20 - 25% more expensive in the evening where traffic is greater. Shared cabs and buses are much cheaper with a single journey costing up to a maximum of $0.30 and $0.10 respectively. Primary expenses for those with personal vehicles include maintenance, which can vary significantly depending on the work required, and petrol, which is extremely cheap at $0.05 per litre.
Recreation
A variety of recreational activities are available in Qum to suit different budgets and readers can refer to the Fitness & Recreation chapter for more details. The cost of sports and fitness activities varies depending on the type of activity but typically ranges from $0.50 to $3 per session per person.
Dining out at restaurants and cafes with friends and family is a popular pastime, although it can become expensive with frequent visits with the average cost of a meal ranging from $4 to $6 per person.
For those looking to engage in activities without significant financial burden, options include leisurely strolls through parks and gardens, picnics, visiting historical sites such as mosques, Imam Zadehs, Khizr mountain, and exploring the numerous libraries available in the city.
Groceries & Household Items
Grocery expenses will vary depending on the size of the family, cooking & eating habits, personal preferences and budget. A conservative estimate for monthly groceries ranges from $150 to $200 for a family of four. A price list of common items is provided below.
Meat, Poultry & Fish
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Meat (1 kg) | 8.50 |
| Mince meat (1 kg) | 6.75 |
| Whole chicken (1.5 kg) | 2.00 |
| Chicken breast (900 g) | 2.25 |
| Fish fillet (500 g) | 5.00 |
| Canned tuna (180 g) | 1.40 |
Pantry Staples
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Indian rice (1 kg) | 0.80 |
| White flour (1 kg) | 0.60 |
| Spaghetti (500 g) | 0.45 |
| Pasta (500 g) | 0.45 |
| Instant noodles (77 g) | 0.20 |
| Eggs (×15) | 1.00 |
| Sunflower oil (1.5 L) | 1.45 |
| Sugar (1 kg) | 0.80 |
| Tomato paste (800 g) | 0.80 |
Pulses
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Lentils (900 g) | 1.50 |
| Red beans (900 g) | 2.10 |
| Split peas (900 g) | 1.70 |
| Chickpeas (900 g) | 1.70 |
Dairy
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | 0.50 |
| Yoghurt (900 g) | 0.70 |
| Butter (100 g) | 0.50 |
| Cream (200 g) | 0.40 |
| Cream cheese (350 g) | 1.00 |
| Sliced cheese (×10) | 1.25 |
Fruit & Vegetables
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Apples (1 kg) | 1.10 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | 0.75 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 1.50 |
| Cucumber (1 kg) | 0.75 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 0.75 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 0.50 |
| Onions (1 kg) | 0.75 |
| Carrots (1 kg) | 0.50 |
Spreads, Snacks & Treats
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Jam (310 g) | 1.00 |
| Chocolate spread (330 g) | 2.00 |
| Peanut butter (450 g) | 2.50 |
| Cereal (300 g) | 1.25 |
| Crisps (60 g) | 0.30 |
| Cake (50 g) | 0.20 |
| Digestive biscuits (100 g) | 0.20 |
| Chocolate bar (40 g) | 0.35 |
| Jelly sweets (90 g) | 0.60 |
| Peanuts (15 g) | 0.25 |
Frozen & Convenience
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Frozen burgers (×4) | 3.00 |
| Chicken schnitzel (500 g) | 3.00 |
| Chicken nuggets (300 g) | 1.50 |
| Pizza (450 g) | 2.50 |
| Frozen sweetcorn (400 g) | 1.00 |
| Frozen peas (400 g) | 0.75 |
| White sliced bread (560 g) | 0.75 |
Drinks
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Water (6 × 1.5 L) | 0.75 |
| Soft drink (1.5 L) | 0.50 |
| Tea (100 bags) | 2.00 |
| Instant coffee (100 g) | 3.00 |
Household & Toiletries
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| Toilet roll (×8) | 1.60 |
| Facial tissue (250 sheets) | 0.75 |
| Bleach (1 L) | 0.30 |
| Toilet cleaner (1 L) | 0.70 |
| Dishwashing liquid (1 kg) | 0.70 |
| Laundry powder (4 kg) | 3.50 |
| Cleaning spray (750 ml) | 0.75 |
| Shampoo (750 ml) | 1.20 |
| Soap bar (90 g) | 0.25 |
| Toothpaste (75 ml) | 0.90 |
| Dental floss (50 m) | 0.75 |
| Deodorant spray (150 ml) | 1.20 |
Tuition Fees
SIOS, similar to almost all other hawzahs in Qum, upholds the noble Islamic tradition of providing education gratis (free of charge) for full-time registered students. This means there are no tuition fees for the entire duration of study. However, students will likely incur related expenses such as textbooks, other course material, stationary etc. There are some other hawzahs and institutes which provide part-time courses that may involve paying fees.
Schooling
Students coming to Qum with their families may face the additional expense of their children’s school fees. Primary, secondary, and high schools in Iran are categorised as either governmental or non-governmental (private). Governmental schools are free, but they often have drawbacks such as large class sizes, less experienced teachers, limited facilities, and a lack of extracurricular activities. As a result, many parents opt for non-governmental schools, which claim to address these disadvantages, albeit at a financial cost. Yearly school fees vary based on the school, location, and grade, but average as follows:
| School grade | Yearly fees ($) / child |
|---|---|
| 1–6 | 200–300 |
| 7–9 | 300–500 |
| 10–12 | 500–1,000 |
In addition to these fees, one should also take into account the cost of transport to and from the school. This is usually arranged by the school and costs from $20 - $40 per month per child.
Summary
The items discussed above represent only some of the major expenses a student may encounter. It is important to note that there will be other miscellaneous expenses, such as medical fees, house maintenance etc. which should also be taken into consideration. Overall, considering the above estimates, the total monthly expenses for a family of four (excluding initial set-up costs, security deposit and school fees) can range from $400 to $600 or more, depending on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices.
While hawzah students should plan ahead and budget carefully to manage their finances, being constantly mindful of the verse from the holy Qurʾan: ”… and put your trust in Allah, for Allah suffices as trustee” (4:81), can bring peace in knowing that their sustenance is ultimately in Allah’s hands.
Comments & Suggestions
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