Essentials
- City
- Qom, Qom Province, Iran
- Population
- Approximately 1,200,000
- Internet Speed
- Fixed: 15-20 Mbps, 4G/LTE: 30 Mbps (VPN required for most sites)
- Currency & Banking
- Iranian Rial (IRR). 1 USD ≈ 600,000 IRR (Free Market Rate March 2026). Dual system: Rial vs Toman.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; high salt/mineral content. Buy bottled water (e.g., Damavand, 50,000 IRR).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Hamrah-e-Aval (MCI) or Irancell. Available at Qom Central Post Office on Molasadra St.
- Banking for Expats
- International cards (Visa/Mastercard) NOT accepted. Use Mahoot/Daric tourist cards or cash.
- Accommodation
- Aria Hotel or SnappRoom app for local guesthouses.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, but only via local debit cards (Shetab system). Cash required for foreigners.
- Short Term Rentals
- SnappTrip or local real estate 'Amlak' offices near Bajak District.
- Budget Accommodation
- Qom International Hostel (near the Shrine area) - ~$12/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near Fatima Masumeh Shrine (Astaneh Sq) for convenience.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Salariyeh or Bajak districts (more modern, quieter, better infrastructure).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Omid Innovation Center (Daneshgah St) - ~1,500,000 IRR/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Moon Cafe (Salariyeh Blvd) - Good Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Tech meetups at University of Qom (Ghadir Blvd).
- Social Events for Expats
- Seminary circles (Hawza) cultural exchanges or 'Expats in Qom' Telegram groups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Snapp or Tapsi (Extremely cheap, starting at 150,000 IRR per ride).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; some public bikes near Al-Ghadir Park (Local ID usually required).
- Best Beach Nearby
- None (Desert city). Closest is Caspian Sea (6 hours north via Tehran).
- Top Regional Airline
- Mahan Air (Flights usually via Tehran IKA, 1.5 hours away).
- Top International Airline
- Qatar Airways or Turkish Airlines (Operating via Tehran IKA).
- Highway Access
- Route 7 (Tehran-Qom-Isfahan Expressway).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Qom Railway Station (Near center for domestic) and Mohammadiyeh Station (High speed).
- Public Transport Passes
- Qom Card for city buses (Purchase at main kiosks on Eram St).
- Regional Travel
- VIP Buses to Isfahan or Tehran from Qom Central Bus Terminal.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Shahid Beheshti Hospital (Shahid Beheshti Blvd) - High quality for the region.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Zahra Wellness Club (Amin Blvd) - Note: Gender segregated hours/facilities.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygen Gym (Salariyeh) - Modern equipment, monthly ~$20.
- Laundry Services
- Clean Laundry (Safayieh St) - Professional dry cleaning and wash.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- SnappFood (Wide range of local Persian and fast food).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Abgoosht (Dizi) or Qom-style Sohan (Saffron brittle).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Baaghi Cafe (Salariyeh) - Offers salads and vegetable-based pasta.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Sohan-e-Mohammad Sima (Main branch near the shrine).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Qom Old Bazaar for spices and local goods.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Digikala (The Amazon of Iran).
- Grocery Delivery
- SnappExpress or Okala app.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- No bars (Alcohol is illegal). Socializing happens in juice bars and tea houses on Safayieh St.
- Local Brewery
- N/A (Alcohol-free malt drinks like Istak are popular).
- Wine Bars
- Strictly prohibited.
- Street Food Stalls
- Falafel stalls on Niruahgah St or Liver Kababs near the Bazaar.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Arg-e-Salariyeh (Middle Eastern/International mix).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Shrine of Fatima Masumeh (One of Iran's holiest sites).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Astaneh Museum (Islamic art and rare manuscripts).
- Historical Sites
- Jamkaran Mosque (Significant pilgrimage site on the outskirts).
- Religious Sites
- Feyziyeh Seminary (Central hub of Islamic scholarship).
- Annual Events
- Nowruz (Persian New Year) and Ashura (Religious processions).
- Cultural Districts
- The Old District around the Grand Bazaar.
- Theater Venues
- Kalleh Performing Arts Center (Lavasani St).
- Local Markets
- Qom Bazaar (Timcheh-ye-Bozorg) - stunning 19th-century architecture.
- Music Scene
- Traditional Persian music performances at local cultural institutes.
- Street Art
- 大量 Religious calligraphy and murals on Moallem Blvd.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions for Persian cooking (Contact 'Taste of Iran' guides).
- Art Galleries
- Sarv Art Gallery (Molasadra St).
- Historic Buildings
- House of Imam Khomeini (Museum) on Moallem St.
- Local Heritage
- Sohan production workshops and silk carpet weaving.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Salt Lake (Namak Lake) - stunning white landscape 40km away.
- National Parks Nearby
- Kavir National Park (Needs a 4x4 and permits).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Al-Ghadir Park walking tracks.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Kuh-e-Khezr (Khezr Mountain) - panoramic views of the city at sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Hoz-e-Soltan Salt Lake during migration seasons.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Desert camping spots near Maranjab (requires local guide).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Tipax (Domestic) or Iran Post (International - limited).
- Tech Repair Services
- Bozorgmehr Computer Center (Safayieh St).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Qom Sports Complex (Shahid Beheshti Blvd).
- Language Classes
- Jamiat-al-Mustafa (For Persian/Arabic studies).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Ayatollah Marashi Najafi Library (One of the world's largest collections).
- Community Centers
- Eshragh Cultural Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- Game Net Centers on Amin Blvd.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Iran.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $20,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $27,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $32,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in Iran)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Currently no withholding tax on dividends in Iran)
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residency based (Expatriates taxed on income earned in Iran)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (For income exceeding certain thresholds)
- VAT
- 9%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, but generally low based on government valuation.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax of around 5% of the regional value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None officially. No specific nomad visa yet. Most work on tourist visas informally.