Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Ruwi

For one person, living is cheaper in Al Ghubra: $90.0 a month against $639 in Ruwi, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Jump to prices

Al Ghubra

🇴🇲 Oman

$90.0

/mo nomad

Ruwi

🇴🇲 Oman

$639

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Al Ghubra and in Ruwi

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Al Ghubra and in Ruwi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $90.0 in Al Ghubra versus $639 in Ruwi.

Al Ghubra $90.0
Ruwi $639

Estimated couple costs with rent: $159 in Al Ghubra versus $833 in Ruwi.

Al Ghubra $159
Ruwi $833

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $229 in Al Ghubra versus $1,028 in Ruwi.

Al Ghubra $229
Ruwi $1,028

Living in Al Ghubra costs roughly 86% less than in Ruwi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al Ghubra 93% lower, Ruwi 53% lower.

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$2.56 OMR 0.99

$1.99 OMR 0.77

28.64%

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Eggs

$1.17 OMR 0.45

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.03 OMR 0.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.93 OMR 1.90

Apples (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

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

$25.53 OMR 9.83

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$79.3 OMR 30.55

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.01 OMR 17.33

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.68 OMR 14.12

Cinema Ticket

$9.16 OMR 3.53

$8.97 OMR 3.45

2.12%

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

$180 OMR 69.5

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$396 OMR 152

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$397 OMR 153

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$901 OMR 347

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$581 OMR 224

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,110 OMR 1,197

$4,398 OMR 1,693

-29.30%

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

Last update for Al Ghubra: October 11, 2026

Last update for Ruwi: October 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Ruwi pays 41% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Good to know

🇴🇲 Al Ghubra

🇴🇲 Ruwi

🕒 Local time

09:31 9:31 AM

Same time as Al Ghubra

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

797,000

💱 Currency

Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.

📈 Exchange rate

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.31 EUR

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.31 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Al Ghubra Ruwi 15 km

From you

Al Ghubra
Ruwi

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Ghubra vs Ruwi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al Ghubra and Ruwi differ by about 610% in total monthly costs ($90.0 vs $639 including rent). Al Ghubra is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

On paper, salaries run 41% 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 363% higher in Ruwi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $90.0 per month in Al Ghubra versus $639 in Ruwi – a 610% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Al Ghubra 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 Ghubra 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 Al Ghubra gentler on the wallet – expenses run 610% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.