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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $493 in Ruwi versus $345 in Al Ghubra.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $753 in Ruwi versus $465 in Al Ghubra.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,013 in Ruwi versus $585 in Al Ghubra.

Living in Ruwi is roughly 43% more expensive than Al Ghubra, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 63% lower, Al Ghubra 74% lower.

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$1.97 OMR 0.76

$1.87 OMR 0.72

5.35%

White Bread (500g)

$2.01 OMR 0.77

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$2.12 OMR 0.82

-51.89%

Eggs

$1.22 OMR 0.47

$5.18 OMR 1.99

-76.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.96 OMR 0.76

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.92 OMR 1.90

Apples (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

$2.12 OMR 0.82

-52.36%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 OMR 0.37

$1.87 OMR 0.72

-48.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.85 OMR 0.71

-47.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.31 OMR 0.51

-22.14%

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$0.68 OMR 0.26

45.59%

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 OMR 0.26

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$0.50 OMR 0.19

104.00%

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

$113 OMR 43.36

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

$26.00 OMR 10.01

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.2 OMR 29.71

$84.3 OMR 32.46

-8.48%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.59 OMR 16.78

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.90 OMR 14.21

Cinema Ticket

$9.25 OMR 3.56

$9.02 OMR 3.47

2.55%

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

$185 OMR 71.1

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.2K OMR 5,080

$10.6K OMR 4,066

24.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 OMR 151

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$255 OMR 98.2

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$920 OMR 354

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$573 OMR 221

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,566 OMR 988

$2,669 OMR 1,028

-3.85%

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

Last update for Ruwi: June 2, 2026

Last update for Al Ghubra: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Al Ghubra pays 4% 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

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

Ruwi and Al Ghubra differ by about 43% in total monthly costs ($493 vs $345 including rent). Al Ghubra is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

On paper, Al Ghubra earns 4% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Supermarket bills run roughly 28% higher in Ruwi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $493 per month in Ruwi versus $345 in Al Ghubra – a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Al Ghubra gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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, Ruwi 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 43% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.