Cost of Living Comparison Between Muscat and Nizwa Cost of Living Comparison Between Muscat and Nizwa

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,519 in Muscat versus $44.58 in Nizwa.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,303 in Muscat versus $65.0 in Nizwa.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,087 in Muscat versus $84.9 in Nizwa.

Living in Muscat is roughly 3306% more expensive than in Nizwa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Muscat is 10% above, Nizwa is 97% 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 3.04

Cappuccino

$4.79 OMR 1.84

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

$0.89 OMR 0.34

$1.05 OMR 0.41

-15.24%

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

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 29.52

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 9,621

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

$23.0K OMR 8,865

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 12.06

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.0 OMR 26.56

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.5 OMR 24.05

$39.15 OMR 15.07

59.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.49 OMR 11.35

Cinema Ticket

$10.31 OMR 3.97

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

$293 OMR 113

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K OMR 4,121

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 34.91

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$94.1 OMR 36.25

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 327

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

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 Nizwa: September 7, 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 Nizwa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Muscat and Nizwa differ by about 3306% in total monthly costs ($1,519 vs $44.58 including rent). Nizwa is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $2,278 in Muscat and $66.9 in Nizwa 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 $44.58 in Nizwa versus $1,519 in Muscat, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Nizwa but tight or insufficient in Muscat. The gap between the two cities makes Nizwa 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 Nizwa 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 Nizwa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3306% less than in Muscat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.