Cost of Living Comparison Between Muscat and Al-qabil Cost of Living Comparison Between Muscat and Al-qabil

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,346 in Muscat versus $46.66 in Al-qabil.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,982 in Muscat versus $70.0 in Al-qabil.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,619 in Muscat versus $94.1 in Al-qabil.

Living in Muscat is roughly 2785% more expensive than Al-qabil, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Muscat is 1% above, Al-qabil is 97% below.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.36 OMR 2.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.15 OMR 10.04

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.94 OMR 3.05

Cappuccino

$5.03 OMR 1.93

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

$1.05 OMR 0.40

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 OMR 0.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.51 OMR 4.81

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.65 OMR 4.47

Milk (1 liter)

$1.94 OMR 0.74

White Bread (500g)

$1.22 OMR 0.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.71 OMR 0.66

Eggs

$2.37 OMR 0.91

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.67 OMR 1.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.07 OMR 1.95

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.40 OMR 3.23

Apples (1kg)

$2.52 OMR 0.97

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 OMR 0.66

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 OMR 0.68

Tomato (1kg)

$1.13 OMR 0.44

Potato (1kg)

$1.00 OMR 0.38

Onion (1kg)

$0.97 OMR 0.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.08 OMR 0.41

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 OMR 0.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.36 OMR 2.44

Wine (Bottle)

$15.50 OMR 5.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.37 OMR 1.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.99 OMR 3.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.29 OMR 0.49

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$62.0 OMR 23.81

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.06 OMR 1.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 OMR 0.29

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.47 OMR 4.02

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.64 OMR 0.25

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

$22.6K OMR 8,695

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

$21.4K OMR 8,228

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

$109 OMR 41.88

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

$41.31 OMR 15.86

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.8 OMR 26.41

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.18 OMR 18.50

$26.08 OMR 10.02

84.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$23.11 OMR 8.87

Cinema Ticket

$10.27 OMR 3.94

$10.33 OMR 3.97

-0.58%

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

$189 OMR 72.7

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,697 OMR 3,723

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.9 OMR 19.56

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.59 OMR 15.20

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.4 OMR 30.48

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.4 OMR 34.69

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$611 OMR 235

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$411 OMR 158

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,230 OMR 472

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$733 OMR 281

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,609 OMR 1,002

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,545 OMR 593

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,746 OMR 670

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.15

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

Last update for Muscat: April 26, 2026

Last update for Al-qabil: April 27, 2026

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-qabil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-qabil is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 2785% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $2,019 in Muscat and $70.0 in Al-qabil to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

At $46.66 in Al-qabil versus $1,346 in Muscat, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al-qabil but tight or insufficient in Muscat. The gap between the two cities makes Al-qabil 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-qabil 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-qabil gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2785% less than in Muscat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.