Cost of Living in Muscat - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Muscat
Address: Muscat, OM

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,331 monthly including rent, or $769 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,982 with rent, or $1,208 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,633 including rent, or $1,647 for daily expenses alone.

Muscat sits 1–7% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 27% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.29 OMR 2.04

$3.97 OMR 1.53

$10.59 OMR 4.08

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.39 OMR 10.16

$18.48 OMR 7.11

$92.4 OMR 35.56

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 OMR 3.02

$6.53 OMR 2.51

$10.45 OMR 4.02

Cappuccino

$4.95 OMR 1.90

$3.16 OMR 1.21

$7.89 OMR 3.04

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$0.64 OMR 0.25

$2.56 OMR 0.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 OMR 0.13

$0.27 OMR 0.10

$1.34 OMR 0.52

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$12.16 OMR 4.68

$6.40 OMR 2.46

$20.03 OMR 7.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.87 OMR 4.57

$7.92 OMR 3.05

$15.83 OMR 6.10

Milk (1 liter)

$2.00 OMR 0.77

$1.33 OMR 0.51

$2.94 OMR 1.13

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 OMR 0.46

$0.77 OMR 0.30

$2.96 OMR 1.14

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 OMR 0.65

$0.79 OMR 0.30

$2.62 OMR 1.01

Eggs

$2.45 OMR 0.94

$1.59 OMR 0.61

$3.17 OMR 1.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.84 OMR 1.48

$2.11 OMR 0.81

$13.20 OMR 5.08

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.16 OMR 1.98

$2.41 OMR 0.93

$8.56 OMR 3.30

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.46 OMR 3.26

$4.90 OMR 1.89

$15.47 OMR 5.96

Apples (1kg)

$2.54 OMR 0.98

$1.29 OMR 0.50

$3.87 OMR 1.49

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 OMR 0.66

$1.05 OMR 0.41

$2.64 OMR 1.01

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 OMR 0.68

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$3.82 OMR 1.47

Tomato (1kg)

$1.13 OMR 0.44

$0.64 OMR 0.25

$1.54 OMR 0.59

Potato (1kg)

$1.00 OMR 0.38

$0.66 OMR 0.26

$1.33 OMR 0.51

Onion (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$0.74 OMR 0.29

$1.59 OMR 0.61

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

$0.51 OMR 0.20

$2.03 OMR 0.78

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 OMR 0.22

$0.40 OMR 0.16

$0.81 OMR 0.31

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.22 OMR 2.39

$5.07 OMR 1.95

$7.61 OMR 2.93

Wine (Bottle)

$15.55 OMR 5.99

$10.37 OMR 3.99

$31.12 OMR 11.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.25 OMR 1.64

$2.58 OMR 0.99

$5.15 OMR 1.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.90 OMR 3.04

$5.27 OMR 2.03

$10.54 OMR 4.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

$0.76 OMR 0.29

$1.27 OMR 0.49

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$62.3 OMR 23.99

$57.1 OMR 21.99

$77.9 OMR 29.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 OMR 1.22

$2.64 OMR 1.02

$3.96 OMR 1.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.80 OMR 0.31

$0.53 OMR 0.20

$1.06 OMR 0.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.34 OMR 3.98

$7.76 OMR 2.99

$12.93 OMR 4.98

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 OMR 0.23

$0.57 OMR 0.22

$0.63 OMR 0.24

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.8K OMR 8,778

$20.7K OMR 7,980

$31.1K OMR 12.0K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.8K OMR 8,405

$20.0K OMR 7,707

$23.6K OMR 9,068

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

$107 OMR 41.32

$78.1 OMR 30.06

$156 OMR 60.1

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

$40.60 OMR 15.63

$20.52 OMR 7.90

$69.2 OMR 26.66

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.5 OMR 27.13

$65.6 OMR 25.26

$91.9 OMR 35.36

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.24 OMR 18.19

$25.67 OMR 9.88

$180 OMR 69.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.99 OMR 8.85

$12.91 OMR 4.97

$30.99 OMR 11.93

Cinema Ticket

$10.47 OMR 4.03

$7.85 OMR 3.02

$13.09 OMR 5.04

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

$192 OMR 74.1

$104 OMR 40.01

$520 OMR 200

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,757 OMR 3,756

$5,142 OMR 1,980

$18.0K OMR 6,929

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.7 OMR 19.53

$18.36 OMR 7.07

$105 OMR 40.38

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.51 OMR 15.21

$15.69 OMR 6.04

$78.5 OMR 30.20

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.4 OMR 30.56

$52.3 OMR 20.12

$131 OMR 50.3

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$90.0 OMR 34.66

$47.57 OMR 18.32

$132 OMR 50.9

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$619 OMR 238

$469 OMR 181

$1,043 OMR 402

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$410 OMR 158

$313 OMR 120

$912 OMR 351

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,222 OMR 470

$844 OMR 325

$2,077 OMR 800

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$730 OMR 281

$527 OMR 203

$1,317 OMR 507

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,666 OMR 1,026

$1,563 OMR 602

$3,178 OMR 1,224

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,552 OMR 597

$1,191 OMR 459

$1,787 OMR 688

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,654 OMR 637

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.15

6.3

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $619 for a central one-bedroom, or $410 outside the center. At 37% of the average salary ($1,654), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,654, while typical expenses reach $1,331. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,997.

Expect to spend about $231 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $26.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $62.3 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Imported beer is among the 20 most expensive worldwide (out of 7,257 cities)

Local beer is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

Local beer is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Muscat Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Muscat - Frequently Asked Questions

Muscat tends to offer a favorable balance of quality and cost for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, especially when you compare it with larger regional hubs. You’ll find that daily essentials, meals, and utilities are reasonable, while housing in popular districts can be more affordable than in Western capitals. The city emphasizes safety, reliability, and a welcoming expat scene, which adds value beyond price. Expect a mix of modern amenities and a laid‑back coastal lifestyle, with seasonal breezes that temper peak heat at certain times. When you weigh it against global benchmarks, Cost of Living in Muscat, Oman sits in a comfortable middle ground. Tip: choose neighborhoods with easy access to coworking spaces and reliable internet to keep your work schedule smooth.

Housing in Muscat ranges from compact apartments in central districts to larger villas in suburban pockets. Start your search in areas like Qurum, Muttrah, or Azaiba for walkable amenities and a range of coworking options; short-term leases help you test neighborhoods. For food, you’ll find local markets, fresh seafood, and a spectrum of international eateries, plus groceries that span traditional retailers to modern supermarkets. Transport leans on car ownership or ride-hailing, with limited public transit options; plan for trips during cooler parts of the day. Co-working spaces and cafes can support a flexible routine. Muscat, Oman living cost can fluctuate with seasons and demand. Tip: map errands by district to save time and energy.

Quality of life in Muscat blends safety, outdoor access, and a calm pace that suits many remote workers. Use a simple budgeting framework with monthly categories – housing, utilities, groceries, dining out, and activities – and adjust for seasonal comfort, when air conditioning and cooling costs rise. Practical savings come from cooking at home with fresh local produce, shopping at traditional markets, and choosing longer leases to lock in stable rents in favorable neighborhoods. Seasonality affects outdoor plans more than overall costs, with milder winter days inviting coastal strolls and weekend trips to nearby sights. For neighborhood fit, consider a balance between central amenities and quieter residential pockets. Tip: visit multiple areas at different times to gauge vibe.

With 37% of the average paycheck going to rent, Muscat is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

All in, Muscat runs about $1,331 monthly with rent, or $769 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.

Earning $1,997 monthly in Muscat means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Muscat range from $410 to $619, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Muscat runs about $62.3, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $231 monthly, food costs in Muscat sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $2,000 in Muscat means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,331. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Remote workers pick Muscat for good reason: fast internet, low crime rates, family-friendly facilities, all at about $1,331 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Muscat run around $1,331, so putting money aside takes more than $1,997 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.