Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Qom is a holy city in Iran, known for its religious significance and beautiful architecture. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 1,200,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average 20-30 Mbps, with limited access in some areas |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 35,000 IRR, 1 USD ≈ 30,000 IRR. Cash is preferred and credit cards are limited due to sanctions. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended for drinking without filtration. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from major providers like Hamrah-e-Awal, Irancell, and Rightel. Plans average around 1,000,000 IRR for 5GB. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Local banks mostly support local transactions. Recommended to use cash or look for local services. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and local guesthouses are available. Prices range from 600,000 IRR to 1,500,000 IRR per night for decent options. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Limited. Cash is required for most transactions. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Sites like Airbnb feature options from 600,000 IRR per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options start from around 500,000 IRR per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Stay near the Holy Shrine of Fatima Masumeh for easy access to main attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Consider residential areas around Bahonar Street for a quieter experience with access to cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking spaces are limited, with some small setups available in local cafes. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Naseem provides Wi-Fi and is a comfortable place to work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Local tech meetups are rare; better to connect via social platforms. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups for expats occasionally host meetups, but they are infrequent. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Snapp is the most reliable local ride-hailing app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Biking in Qom is rare due to traffic; no formal rental services. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | No beach; closest significant water is around 120 km at the Caspian Sea. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Iran Air - connects to major cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Mahan Air and Iran Air operate international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected via the Tehran-Qom highway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Qom railway station connects to Tehran and other cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Limited public transportation options; mainly buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and taxis are available for nearby cities such as Tehran. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Al-Zahra Hospital is the leading medical center in Qom. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Limited options; some local gyms offer classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness clubs like Fitness Club Arya offer local workout facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Available at hotels and some local laundries. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Snapp Food provides a variety of food options from local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Fesenjan', a traditional Persian stew. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Limited; local restaurants mainly serve meat dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Bakery Khodkar for traditional sweets like Baklava. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local bazaars offer fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local websites like Digikala offer electronics and household items. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Some local shops offer delivery services; check with the store. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Qom is not known for nightlife; conservative culture limits options. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Alcohol is not available due to Islamic laws. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Not available due to restrictions on alcohol. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors sell local snacks like 'Samosa' and 'Kebab'. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza and slow-grilled kebabs are popular among locals and visitors. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Holy Shrine of Fatima Masumeh and Jamkaran Mosque. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Qom showcases local history and artifacts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the ancient Qom Castle. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Numerous mosques, particularly Masjid-e Jamkaran. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Religious gatherings during Muharram attract many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Downtown Qom has many cultural landmarks worth visiting. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Limited theatrical productions; check local listings. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Bazaar of Qom is a vibrant place for shopping. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Traditional Persian music can be found at cultural events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art is not common due to regulations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking schools offer Persian cooking classes; research online. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Limited galleries; the best options are found in larger cities like Tehran. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Qom Bazaar complexes are fascinating examples of local architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Rich in Persian culture and Islamic history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mountains surrounding Qom offer hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Nazarabad Forest Park is a local natural escape. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Limited walking paths; best to explore on foot in the city. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Views from the elevated areas near the mosques are stunning. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands around Qom attract various bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Not common due to restrictions on open flames. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Local and international shipping via Post Office or DHL. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local repair shops mostly focus on mobile devices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Available at local community centers; may need to check availability. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Local institutes offer Farsi language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Qom University Library is a good historical study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local cultural centers provide workshops and community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Not common; gaming is mostly at home. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Not allowed due to Islamic laws. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 15,000,000 IRR per m² (40 m² = 600,000,000 IRR) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 10,000,000 IRR per m² (40 m² = 400,000,000 IRR) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 18,000,000 IRR per m² (60 m² = 1,080,000,000 IRR) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 12,000,000 IRR per m² (60 m² = 720,000,000 IRR) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 20,000,000 IRR per m² (80 m² = 1,600,000,000 IRR) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 15,000,000 IRR per m² (80 m² = 1,200,000,000 IRR) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% corporate tax applies. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | There is a 10% withholding tax on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 25%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 9% standard Value Added Tax. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No controlled foreign company rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual fixed tax based on property square footage. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Transfer tax is 4% on property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Digital nomads are taxed on local income only; foreign income is not taxed. |