Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Muscat and Ibra

For one person, living is cheaper in Ibra: $981 a month against $1,555 in Muscat, rent and utilities included – about $6,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Muscat, Oman
Ibra, Oman
Muscat
🇴🇲 Oman
$1,555
/mo nomad
Ibra
🇴🇲 Oman
$981
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Muscat and in Ibra

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

A single person spends $1,555 per month in Muscat vs $981 in Ibra, rent included.

  • Muscat $1,555
  • Ibra $981

A couple spends around $2,287 per month in Muscat vs $1,480 in Ibra, rent included.

  • Muscat $2,287
  • Ibra $1,480

A family of three spends $3,020 per month in Muscat vs $1,979 in Ibra, rent included.

  • Muscat $3,020
  • Ibra $1,979

Muscat costs about 58% more than Ibra, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Muscat sits 15% above the global median, while Ibra is 27% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.26 OMR 2.03
$5.06 OMR 1.95
3.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.68 OMR 14.89
$38.86 OMR 14.96
-0.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.99 OMR 3.46
$7.69 OMR 2.96
16.91%
Cappuccino
$5.09 OMR 1.96
$5.08 OMR 1.96
0.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 OMR 0.35
$0.92 OMR 0.35
-1.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 OMR 0.11
$0.27 OMR 0.10
7.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$13.20 OMR 5.08
$12.83 OMR 4.94
2.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.90 OMR 4.97
$13.09 OMR 5.04
-1.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.13 OMR 0.82
$2.36 OMR 0.91
-9.75%
White Bread (500g)
$1.19 OMR 0.46
$1.19 OMR 0.46
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 OMR 0.72
$1.92 OMR 0.74
-2.08%
Eggs
$3.08 OMR 1.19
$2.97 OMR 1.14
3.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.27 OMR 2.80
$7.29 OMR 2.81
-0.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.86 OMR 2.64
$6.95 OMR 2.68
-1.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.21 OMR 3.93
$10.13 OMR 3.90
0.79%
Apples (1kg)
$3.67 OMR 1.41
$3.56 OMR 1.37
3.09%
Banana (1kg)
$2.03 OMR 0.78
$1.97 OMR 0.76
3.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.34 OMR 0.90
$2.42 OMR 0.93
-3.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.26 OMR 0.48
$1.31 OMR 0.50
-3.82%
Potato (1kg)
$1.20 OMR 0.46
$1.17 OMR 0.45
2.56%
Onion (1kg)
$1.25 OMR 0.48
$1.23 OMR 0.47
1.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 OMR 0.69
$1.81 OMR 0.70
-1.66%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 OMR 0.26
$0.70 OMR 0.27
-2.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.42 OMR 2.47
$6.54 OMR 2.52
-1.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.67 OMR 6.03
$15.65 OMR 6.02
0.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$5.99 OMR 2.30
$6.04 OMR 2.33
-0.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.25 OMR 3.94
$10.29 OMR 3.96
-0.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.28 OMR 0.49
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 OMR 29.77
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.27 OMR 1.26
$3.33 OMR 1.28
-1.80%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.65 OMR 1.02
$2.54 OMR 0.98
4.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.71 OMR 2.97
$7.67 OMR 2.95
0.52%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.64 OMR 0.25
$0.64 OMR 0.25
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8K OMR 9,551
$24.9K OMR 9,584
-0.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K OMR 7,991
$20.7K OMR 7,978
0.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$181 OMR 69.7
$181 OMR 69.7
0.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.82 OMR 11.86
$31.19 OMR 12.00
-1.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.7 OMR 27.59
$71.6 OMR 27.56
0.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$67.7 OMR 26.07
$31.10 OMR 11.97
117.78%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.82 OMR 11.48
$18.46 OMR 7.11
61.54%
Cinema Ticket
$10.51 OMR 4.05
$7.13 OMR 2.74
47.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$495 OMR 191
$500 OMR 192
-0.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.8K OMR 6,091
$10.7K OMR 4,119
47.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4 OMR 21.34
$56.8 OMR 21.86
-2.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.33 OMR 16.68
$42.83 OMR 16.49
1.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.8 OMR 34.94
$89.5 OMR 34.45
1.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.4 OMR 34.04
$88.7 OMR 34.13
-0.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$708 OMR 273
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$442 OMR 170
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,212 OMR 466
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$768 OMR 296
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,821 OMR 1,086
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,621 OMR 624
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Muscat
Ibra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,551 OMR 597
$4,110 OMR 1,582
-62.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.25
5.25
-

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

Last update for Muscat: November 2, 2026

Last update for Ibra: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Muscat
$442
Ibra
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Muscat
$289
Ibra
$291 0.8% $2.4
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muscat
$284
Ibra
$284 0.1% $0.2
Eating Out
Muscat
$227
Ibra
$220 3.1% $7.1
Clothing & Footwear
Muscat
$125
Ibra
$125 0.1% $0.1
Getting Around
Muscat
$99
Ibra
$16 * 83.8% $83
Sport & Entertainment
Muscat
$89
Ibra
$45 48.9% $43

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Salaries in Ibra are about 2.6 times higher, 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 $39 in Muscat versus $39 in Ibra. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $289 vs $291 – making Muscat the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇴🇲 Muscat
🇴🇲 Ibra
🕒 Local time
16:36 4:36 PM
16:36 4:36 PM
Same time as Muscat
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,090,797 Capital
35,000
💱 Currency
Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.
Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to OMR – Omani Rial Converter

Omani Rial exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 0.385 OMR (1 OMR = 2.6 USD). 1 EUR = 0.432 OMR (1 OMR = 2.32 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Muscat Ibra 100 km
From you
  • Muscat
  • Ibra

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
Muscat vs Ibra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Muscat or Ibra?
Muscat costs about 58% more than Ibra, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. 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 Muscat and in Ibra?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,332 per month in Muscat and $1,472 in Ibra. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Muscat compared to Ibra?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,555 in Muscat and $981 in Ibra. That makes Ibra about 37% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in Muscat and in Ibra?
Kindergarten costs $495 per month in Muscat and $500 in Ibra. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Muscat or in Ibra?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,555 in Muscat and $981 in Ibra. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Muscat or Ibra?
It depends on your priorities. Muscat has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $981 in Ibra to $1,555 in Muscat. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Muscat compared to Ibra?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Muscat vs other spots: cost of living compared

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