Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwi and Al Ghubra

For one person, living is cheaper in Al Ghubra: $90.4 a month against $641 in Ruwi, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Jump to prices

Ruwi

🇴🇲 Oman

$641

/mo nomad

Al Ghubra

🇴🇲 Oman

$90.4

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ruwi and in Al Ghubra

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $641 in Ruwi versus $90 in Al Ghubra.

Ruwi $641
Al Ghubra $90

Estimated couple costs with rent: $830 in Ruwi versus $160 in Al Ghubra.

Ruwi $830
Al Ghubra $160

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,020 in Ruwi versus $230 in Al Ghubra.

Ruwi $1,020
Al Ghubra $230

Living in Ruwi is roughly 609% more expensive than in Al Ghubra, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 53% lower, Al Ghubra 93% lower.

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

$2.64 OMR 1.02

-22.35%

White Bread (500g)

$2.02 OMR 0.78

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Eggs

$1.18 OMR 0.45

Local Cheese (1kg)

$1.95 OMR 0.75

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.95 OMR 0.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.05 OMR 1.94

Apples (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

Oranges (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

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

$26.10 OMR 10.05

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$79.4 OMR 30.56

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.83 OMR 17.26

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.27 OMR 13.96

Cinema Ticket

$9.07 OMR 3.49

$9.03 OMR 3.48

0.44%

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

$185 OMR 71.1

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$385 OMR 148

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$397 OMR 153

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$911 OMR 351

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$569 OMR 219

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,443 OMR 1,710

$3,063 OMR 1,179

45.08%

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

Last update for Ruwi: October 25, 2026

Last update for Al Ghubra: October 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Ruwi pays 45% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Good to know

🇴🇲 Ruwi

🇴🇲 Al Ghubra

🕒 Local time

08:53 8:53 AM

Same time as Ruwi

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

797,000

💱 Currency

Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.

📈 Exchange rate

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.32 EUR

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.32 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Ruwi Al Ghubra 15 km

From you

Ruwi
Al Ghubra

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

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

Total monthly costs including rent come to $641 in Ruwi and $90 in Al Ghubra, so Al Ghubra is about 86% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

Average pay runs 45% higher in Ruwi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Supermarket bills run roughly 355% higher in Ruwi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you’ll spend $641 per month in Ruwi versus $90 in Al Ghubra – Al Ghubra is about 86% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.

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 both considered safe, so it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.

It comes down to priorities – Al Ghubra wins on affordability, Ruwi on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.