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: $510 in Ruwi versus $355 in Al Ghubra.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $774 in Ruwi versus $473 in Al Ghubra.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,039 in Ruwi versus $591 in Al Ghubra.

Living in Ruwi is roughly 44% more expensive than in Al Ghubra, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 62% lower, Al Ghubra 73% lower.

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 OMR 0.78

$1.84 OMR 0.71

9.78%

White Bread (500g)

$1.95 OMR 0.75

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$2.13 OMR 0.82

-53.99%

Eggs

$1.18 OMR 0.46

$5.10 OMR 1.96

-76.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.07 OMR 1.95

Apples (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$2.11 OMR 0.81

-53.08%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.86 OMR 0.72

-47.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.83 OMR 0.71

-44.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.27 OMR 0.49

-22.83%

Potato (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

$0.62 OMR 0.24

62.90%

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 OMR 0.26

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$0.54 OMR 0.21

83.33%

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

$113 OMR 43.34

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

$25.58 OMR 9.85

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.5 OMR 30.22

$85.8 OMR 33.01

-8.45%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.51 OMR 16.75

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$37.04 OMR 14.26

Cinema Ticket

$9.03 OMR 3.48

$8.88 OMR 3.42

1.69%

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

$182 OMR 69.9

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K OMR 4,911

$10.5K OMR 4,038

21.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$387 OMR 149

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$255 OMR 98.1

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$900 OMR 346

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$582 OMR 224

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,481 OMR 1,725

$3,096 OMR 1,191

44.75%

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

Last update for Ruwi: July 13, 2026

Last update for Al Ghubra: July 13, 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.

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 44% in total monthly costs ($510 vs $355 including rent). Al Ghubra is meaningfully more affordable – 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 29% higher in Ruwi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $510 per month in Ruwi versus $355 in Al Ghubra – a 44% 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 44% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.