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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,519 in Muscat versus $89.3 in Al Ghubra.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,303 in Muscat versus $157 in Al Ghubra.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,087 in Muscat versus $225 in Al Ghubra.

Living in Muscat is roughly 1601% more expensive than in Al Ghubra, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Muscat is 10% above, Al Ghubra is 94% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.22 OMR 2.01

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.29 OMR 13.20

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.88 OMR 3.03

Cappuccino

$4.79 OMR 1.84

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

$0.89 OMR 0.34

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 OMR 0.11

$0.27 OMR 0.10

7.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.75 OMR 4.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.96 OMR 4.99

Milk (1 liter)

$2.36 OMR 0.91

$2.65 OMR 1.02

-10.94%

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 OMR 0.71

Eggs

$2.85 OMR 1.10

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.53 OMR 2.90

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.80 OMR 2.62

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.36 OMR 3.99

Apples (1kg)

$3.43 OMR 1.32

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 OMR 0.75

Oranges (1kg)

$2.41 OMR 0.93

Tomato (1kg)

$1.26 OMR 0.49

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 OMR 0.46

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 OMR 0.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.85 OMR 0.71

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 OMR 0.24

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.45 OMR 2.48

Wine (Bottle)

$15.36 OMR 5.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.43 OMR 2.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.04 OMR 3.48

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.32 OMR 0.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.7 OMR 29.51

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 OMR 1.28

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.62 OMR 1.01

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.90 OMR 3.04

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 OMR 0.24

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

$25.0K OMR 9,618

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

$23.0K OMR 8,863

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

$173 OMR 66.4

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

$31.32 OMR 12.05

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.0 OMR 26.56

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.5 OMR 24.04

$44.66 OMR 17.19

39.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.49 OMR 11.35

$37.11 OMR 14.28

-20.53%

Cinema Ticket

$10.31 OMR 3.97

$8.95 OMR 3.45

15.20%

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

$293 OMR 113

$185 OMR 71.4

57.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K OMR 4,120

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.5 OMR 21.36

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.08 OMR 16.97

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.7 OMR 34.90

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.1 OMR 36.24

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$665 OMR 256

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$457 OMR 176

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,340 OMR 516

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$848 OMR 326

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,837 OMR 1,092

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,589 OMR 612

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,698 OMR 654

$3,147 OMR 1,211

-46.02%

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 Muscat: September 6, 2026

Last update for Al Ghubra: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Al Ghubra pays 85% 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

Muscat vs Al Ghubra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Muscat and Al Ghubra differ by about 1601% in total monthly costs ($1,519 vs $89.3 including rent). Al Ghubra is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

On paper, salaries run 85% lower in Al Ghubra. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Childcare runs $293 in Muscat versus $185 in Al Ghubra. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

All in, you'll spend $1,519 per month in Muscat versus $89.3 in Al Ghubra – a 1601% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $89.3 in Al Ghubra versus $1,519 in Muscat, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Al Ghubra but tight or insufficient in Muscat. The gap between the two cities makes Al Ghubra the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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, Muscat and Al Ghubra 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 1601% less than in Muscat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.