A realistic, itemised look at the cost of living in Qum — accommodation, transport, recreation, groceries, tuition and schooling — so you can budget with confidence.
Living and studying in Qum naturally involves various expenses: accommodation, daily necessities, transport and recreation. Because this matters so much to prospective students, it is covered here in some depth — but remember that the figures below depend heavily on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices.
As hawzah students, it is also worth keeping in mind that we do not see ourselves as solely responsible for meeting these costs; rather, it is Allah (swt) who is the ultimate Provider and Sustainer, and He opens the doors of blessing and sustenance for those who sincerely strive for Him. The purpose of this section is simply to give a general idea of living costs so you can budget accordingly — not to discourage anyone from pursuing knowledge in the holy city.
Accommodation
Accommodation is a significant part of a married student’s budget; single students are normally provided free accommodation in the hawzah dormitory. There is more detail in the Accommodation chapter, but in summary there are three main expenses: the monthly rent, the security deposit and the setting-up costs. Utilities (electricity, water, gas) are usually extra and vary by season, averaging around $5–$10 per month.
| Size (m²) | Bedrooms | Av. monthly rent ($) | Av. security deposit ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75–80 | 1 | 100–120 | 5,000 |
| 100–110 | 2 | 120–150 | 6,000 |
| 150–160 | 3 | 220–250 | 12,000 |
Since most properties are unfurnished, you’ll need to buy various items to make a place habitable. The table below gives a sense of prices; naturally there will also be many smaller essentials to pick up, such as kitchenware and linen.
| Item | Second-hand ($) | 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
Transport in Qum is mostly taxis, buses and private vehicles, and fares are relatively affordable. A private taxi from the haram of Lady Masumah (a) to Jamkaran Mosque (about 7 km) costs around $0.60–$1 in mid-morning, but can be 20–25% more in the busier evening traffic. Shared cabs and buses are far cheaper — a single journey costs at most about $0.30 and $0.10 respectively. For those with a private vehicle, the main costs are maintenance (highly variable) and petrol, which is extremely cheap at around $0.05 per litre. See the Local Transport chapter for more.
Recreation
A variety of recreational activities suit different budgets — see the Fitness & Recreation chapter for details. Sports and fitness sessions typically range from $0.50 to $3 per person, per session. Dining out with friends or family is a popular pastime, though it adds up: expect $4–$6 per person for a meal. For little or no cost, there are leisurely strolls through parks and gardens, picnics, visits to historical sites such as mosques, Imam Zadehs and Khizr Mountain, and the city’s many libraries.
Groceries & household items
Grocery spending depends on family size, cooking and eating habits, preferences and budget. A conservative estimate for a family of four is around $150–$200 per month. The price list below covers common items.
Meat, poultry & fish
| Item | Price ($) |
|---|---|
| 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, like almost all hawzahs in Qum, upholds the noble Islamic tradition of providing education gratis (free of charge) for full-time registered students — there are no tuition fees for the entire duration of study. You will, however, likely incur related costs such as textbooks, course materials and stationery. Some other hawzahs and institutes offer part-time courses that may charge fees.
Schooling
Students who come to Qum with their families may face the added expense of school fees. Primary, secondary and high schools in Iran are either governmental or non-governmental (private). Governmental schools are free, but often have larger class sizes, less experienced teachers, limited facilities and few extracurricular activities. Many parents therefore opt for non-governmental schools, which aim to address these drawbacks — at a cost.
| School grade | Yearly fees ($) / child |
|---|---|
| 1–6 | 200–300 |
| 7–9 | 300–500 |
| 10–12 | 500–1,000 |
On top of fees, factor in transport to and from school, usually arranged by the school at around $20–$40 per month per child.
Summary
The items above represent only some of the major expenses you may meet; there will be other miscellaneous costs too, such as medical fees and house maintenance. Taking the estimates together, total monthly expenses for a family of four (excluding initial set-up costs, the security deposit and school fees) can range from $400 to $600 or more, depending on circumstances and lifestyle.
While it is wise to plan ahead and budget carefully, being mindful of the verse — “…and put your trust in Allah, for Allah suffices as trustee” (4:81) — can bring peace in knowing that your sustenance is ultimately in Allah’s hands.
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