Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-Buraimi and Ruwi Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-Buraimi and Ruwi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $923 in Al-Buraimi versus $624 in Ruwi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,351 in Al-Buraimi versus $824 in Ruwi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,778 in Al-Buraimi versus $1,023 in Ruwi.

Living in Al-Buraimi is roughly 48% more expensive than in Ruwi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al-Buraimi 33% lower, Ruwi 55% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.07 OMR 1.95

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.24 OMR 5.10

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 OMR 3.02

Cappuccino

$4.87 OMR 1.87

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 OMR 0.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.84 OMR 4.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.96 OMR 4.99

Milk (1 liter)

$2.31 OMR 0.89

$1.98 OMR 0.76

16.67%

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 OMR 0.48

$1.97 OMR 0.76

-37.06%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 OMR 0.59

$1.01 OMR 0.39

51.49%

Eggs

$2.91 OMR 1.12

$1.22 OMR 0.47

138.52%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.62 OMR 2.55

$2.02 OMR 0.78

227.72%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.56 OMR 2.14

$1.99 OMR 0.77

179.40%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.90 OMR 3.42

$4.87 OMR 1.87

82.75%

Apples (1kg)

$2.12 OMR 0.82

$0.97 OMR 0.37

118.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 OMR 0.70

$1.03 OMR 0.40

75.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 OMR 0.79

$1.03 OMR 0.40

100.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.25 OMR 0.48

$1.02 OMR 0.39

22.55%

Potato (1kg)

$1.21 OMR 0.47

$0.98 OMR 0.38

23.47%

Onion (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.84 OMR 0.33

$0.99 OMR 0.38

-15.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.66 OMR 0.25

$1.03 OMR 0.40

-35.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.06 OMR 1.95

Wine (Bottle)

$15.70 OMR 6.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.68 OMR 2.19

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.86 OMR 3.41

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.22 OMR 15.10

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 OMR 1.26

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.86 OMR 3.03

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.64 OMR 0.25

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.3K OMR 9,741

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.4K OMR 8,610

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$76.7 OMR 29.53

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$31.38 OMR 12.08

$25.65 OMR 9.88

22.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.1 OMR 26.59

$77.9 OMR 30.00

-11.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.0 OMR 24.63

Cinema Ticket

$7.86 OMR 3.03

$8.93 OMR 3.44

-11.98%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$264 OMR 102

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K OMR 4,121

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.0 OMR 21.56

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.79 OMR 16.47

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.5 OMR 35.63

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.3 OMR 37.47

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$396 OMR 153

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$385 OMR 148

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$912 OMR 351

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$582 OMR 224

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,575 OMR 1,376

$4,419 OMR 1,701

-19.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.25

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Al-Buraimi: August 31, 2026

Last update for Ruwi: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Ruwi pays 24% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Al-Buraimi vs Ruwi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ruwi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 48% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

On paper, salaries run 24% lower in Ruwi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Supermarket bills run roughly 118% higher in Al-Buraimi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $923 per month in Al-Buraimi versus $624 in Ruwi – a 48% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Ruwi gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Al-Buraimi and Ruwi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Ruwi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 48% less than in Al-Buraimi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.