Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwi and Matrah Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwi and Matrah

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $494 in Ruwi versus $223 in Matrah.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $746 in Ruwi versus $364 in Matrah.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $999 in Ruwi versus $506 in Matrah.

Living in Ruwi is roughly 121% more expensive than Matrah, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 63% lower, Matrah 83% lower.

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 OMR 0.78

$2.52 OMR 0.97

-19.84%

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 OMR 0.78

$1.02 OMR 0.39

100.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

$2.67 OMR 1.03

-61.42%

Eggs

$1.18 OMR 0.45

$4.63 OMR 1.78

-74.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$1.99 OMR 0.77

$4.84 OMR 1.86

-58.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.96 OMR 0.75

$5.11 OMR 1.97

-61.64%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.89 OMR 1.88

$7.65 OMR 2.95

-36.08%

Apples (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

$1.31 OMR 0.50

-21.37%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.80 OMR 0.69

-43.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

$2.38 OMR 0.91

-57.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

$1.24 OMR 0.48

-16.94%

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.07 OMR 0.41

-4.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$0.50 OMR 0.19

96.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.04 OMR 1.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$15.49 OMR 5.96

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

$25.61 OMR 9.86

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$79.3 OMR 30.53

Cinema Ticket

$8.98 OMR 3.45

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K OMR 4,983

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$390 OMR 150

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$262 OMR 101

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$926 OMR 356

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$566 OMR 218

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,602 OMR 1,002

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

Last update for Ruwi: June 6, 2026

Last update for Matrah: June 9, 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

Ruwi vs Matrah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Matrah wins on cost – living expenses run 121% lower than in Ruwi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Matrah the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $740 in Ruwi and $334 in Matrah 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.

Shoppers in Ruwi pay roughly 84% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $494 per month in Ruwi versus $223 in Matrah – a 121% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Matrah 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 Matrah 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 Matrah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 121% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.