Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Ruwi Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Ruwi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $90.2 in Al Ghubra versus $624 in Ruwi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $158 in Al Ghubra versus $824 in Ruwi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $227 in Al Ghubra versus $1,023 in Ruwi.

Living in Al Ghubra costs roughly 86% less than in Ruwi, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al Ghubra 93% lower, Ruwi 55% lower.

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$2.56 OMR 0.99

$1.98 OMR 0.76

29.29%

White Bread (500g)

$1.97 OMR 0.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

Eggs

$1.22 OMR 0.47

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.02 OMR 0.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.99 OMR 0.77

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.87 OMR 1.87

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 OMR 0.37

Banana (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Potato (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

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

$25.65 OMR 9.88

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.9 OMR 30.00

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.27 OMR 17.04

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.71 OMR 13.75

Cinema Ticket

$9.01 OMR 3.47

$8.93 OMR 3.44

0.90%

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

$178 OMR 68.7

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)

$3,127 OMR 1,204

$4,419 OMR 1,701

-29.24%

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

Last update for Al Ghubra: August 29, 2026

Last update for Ruwi: August 31, 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.

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 592% in total monthly costs ($90.2 vs $624 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 $90.2 per month in Al Ghubra versus $624 in Ruwi – a 592% 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 592% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.