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: $492 in Ruwi versus $226 in Matrah.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $751 in Ruwi versus $367 in Matrah.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,010 in Ruwi versus $508 in Matrah.

Living in Ruwi is roughly 117% more expensive than in Matrah, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

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

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

$2.54 OMR 0.98

-22.05%

White Bread (500g)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

$1.02 OMR 0.39

100.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$2.64 OMR 1.02

-62.50%

Eggs

$1.18 OMR 0.46

$4.73 OMR 1.82

-75.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$1.96 OMR 0.75

$5.08 OMR 1.96

-61.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

$5.35 OMR 2.06

-62.99%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.13 OMR 1.98

$7.59 OMR 2.92

-32.41%

Apples (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.29 OMR 0.50

-24.03%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.74 OMR 0.67

-41.38%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

$2.29 OMR 0.88

-55.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 OMR 0.37

$1.23 OMR 0.47

-21.14%

Potato (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.11 OMR 0.43

-11.71%

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 OMR 0.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$0.51 OMR 0.19

92.16%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.21 OMR 1.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$15.90 OMR 6.12

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

$26.34 OMR 10.14

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.7 OMR 29.90

Cinema Ticket

$9.25 OMR 3.56

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K OMR 4,935

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$387 OMR 149

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$259 OMR 99.8

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$905 OMR 348

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$569 OMR 219

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,409 OMR 1,698

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

Last update for Ruwi: July 25, 2026

Last update for Matrah: July 27, 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 117% 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 $738 in Ruwi and $340 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 87% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $492 per month in Ruwi versus $226 in Matrah – a 117% 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 117% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.