Cost of Living Comparison Between Ibra and Muscat Cost of Living Comparison Between Ibra and Muscat

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $814 per month in Ibra vs $1,331 in Muscat, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,244 per month in Ibra vs $1,982 in Muscat, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,673 per month in Ibra vs $2,633 in Muscat, rent included.

Ibra is about 39% cheaper than Muscat, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Ibra and Muscat are more affordable than the global median – Ibra 39% lower, Muscat 1% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.17 OMR 1.99
$5.29 OMR 2.04
-2.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.53 OMR 10.21
$26.39 OMR 10.16
0.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.99 OMR 3.08
$7.84 OMR 3.02
1.91%
Cappuccino
$5.01 OMR 1.93
$4.95 OMR 1.90
1.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 OMR 0.40
$1.02 OMR 0.39
2.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 OMR 0.13
$0.34 OMR 0.13
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$12.37 OMR 4.76
$12.16 OMR 4.68
1.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.57 OMR 4.45
$11.87 OMR 4.57
-2.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.91 OMR 0.74
$2.00 OMR 0.77
-4.50%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 OMR 0.47
$1.20 OMR 0.46
2.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.71 OMR 0.66
$1.70 OMR 0.65
0.59%
Eggs
$2.46 OMR 0.95
$2.45 OMR 0.94
0.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.82 OMR 1.47
$3.84 OMR 1.48
-0.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.11 OMR 1.97
$5.16 OMR 1.98
-0.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.49 OMR 3.27
$8.46 OMR 3.26
0.35%
Apples (1kg)
$2.48 OMR 0.95
$2.54 OMR 0.98
-2.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 OMR 0.66
$1.72 OMR 0.66
0.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.79 OMR 0.69
$1.77 OMR 0.68
1.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.14 OMR 0.44
$1.13 OMR 0.44
0.88%
Potato (1kg)
$0.97 OMR 0.37
$1.00 OMR 0.38
-3.00%
Onion (1kg)
$0.99 OMR 0.38
$1.02 OMR 0.39
-2.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 OMR 0.42
$1.03 OMR 0.40
4.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 OMR 0.20
$0.56 OMR 0.22
-7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.51 OMR 2.51
$6.22 OMR 2.39
4.66%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.83 OMR 6.10
$15.55 OMR 5.99
1.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.38 OMR 1.69
$4.25 OMR 1.64
3.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.61 OMR 2.93
$7.90 OMR 3.04
-3.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.27 OMR 0.49
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$62.3 OMR 23.99
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.19 OMR 1.23
$3.16 OMR 1.22
0.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.75 OMR 0.29
$0.80 OMR 0.31
-6.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.42 OMR 4.01
$10.34 OMR 3.98
0.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.60 OMR 0.23
$0.60 OMR 0.23
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.7K OMR 8,731
$22.8K OMR 8,778
-0.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.4K OMR 8,234
$21.8K OMR 8,405
-2.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$109 OMR 41.87
$107 OMR 41.32
1.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.78 OMR 15.70
$40.60 OMR 15.63
0.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.4 OMR 27.12
$70.5 OMR 27.13
-0.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.05 OMR 11.95
$47.24 OMR 18.19
-34.27%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.36 OMR 7.07
$22.99 OMR 8.85
-20.14%
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 OMR 2.69
$10.47 OMR 4.03
-33.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$192 OMR 74.0
$192 OMR 74.1
-0.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,837 OMR 3,787
$9,757 OMR 3,756
0.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.31 OMR 18.98
$50.7 OMR 19.53
-2.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.60 OMR 15.25
$39.51 OMR 15.21
0.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.5 OMR 30.99
$79.4 OMR 30.56
1.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.8 OMR 34.18
$90.0 OMR 34.66
-1.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$619 OMR 238
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$410 OMR 158
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,222 OMR 470
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$730 OMR 281
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,666 OMR 1,026
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,552 OMR 597
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ibra
Muscat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,190 OMR 1,613
$1,654 OMR 637
153.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.15
5.15
-

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

Last update for Ibra: May 31, 2026

Last update for Muscat: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 153% higher in Ibra, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $27.00 in Ibra versus $26.00 in Muscat. Groceries tell a different story – $230 in Ibra vs $231 in Muscat – so Ibra wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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
Ibra vs Muscat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ibra or Muscat?
Muscat costs about 63% more than Ibra, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ibra vs Muscat?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,222 per month in Ibra and $1,997 in Muscat. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Ibra compared to Muscat?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $814 in Ibra and $1,331 in Muscat. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Ibra and Muscat?
Kindergarten costs $192 per month in Ibra and $192 in Muscat. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ibra or Muscat?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ibra, where all-in costs run around $814, than in Muscat at $1,331. In Ibra it covers expenses comfortably, while in Muscat it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Ibra – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Ibra compared to Muscat?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Ibra or Muscat?
If budget matters most, go with Ibra. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Muscat makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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