Muscat is neither a bargain city nor an absurdly expensive one. What it costs to live well here depends far more on your housing choice, school situation, and driving habits than on small daily purchases.
This guide breaks down the real cost of living in Muscat in a way that helps new arrivals budget properly instead of relying on vague averages that tell them very little.
One of the nicest surprises about moving to Muscat is how far your money goes. When we first worked out our monthly budget here, we genuinely couldn’t believe how much we were saving compared to what friends back in Dubai or London were spending. Muscat runs about 25–35% cheaper than Dubai, and with zero personal income tax, your take-home pay is your actual pay. Here’s what you can realistically expect to spend each month in 2026.
What usually drives your budget most
- rent
- school fees if you have children
- transport and car costs
- lifestyle choices such as compounds, premium areas, and eating out
What You’ll Actually Spend Each Month
| Lifestyle | Monthly budget |
| Modest single (shared housing) | OMR 580–700 |
| Comfortable single | OMR 900–1,200 |
| Comfortable couple | OMR 1,400–1,800 |
| Family of four (local school) | OMR 1,800–2,500 |
| Family of four (international school) | OMR 2,500–3,500 |
| Premium lifestyle | OMR 3,500+ |
Rent — Your Biggest Monthly Cost by Far
Housing takes 35–45% of budget. → /muscat/best-areas-muscat
| Property | Budget area | Mid-range | Premium |
| 1-bed apt | OMR 150–250 | OMR 250–400 | OMR 400–800 |
| 2-bed apt | OMR 250–400 | OMR 400–650 | OMR 600–1,100 |
| 3-bed villa | OMR 400–650 | OMR 650–1,200 | OMR 1,200–2,500 |
Rent is paid 6–12 months upfront.
See renting guide
Utilities — One of the Best Surprises About Living Here
Government-subsidised. 2-bed with heavy AC: OMR 45–75/month. Annual average: single OMR 40–55, family OMR 60–85. Water separate at OMR 10–20.
See utilities setup
Food and Groceries
Monthly grocery: single OMR 120–200, family OMR 280–450. LuLu for everyday, Carrefour for imports. 20% cheaper than Dubai.
See supermarkets
Eating out: local restaurants OMR 2–5, mid-range OMR 5–15, upscale OMR 25–60.
Transport
Fuel: OMR 0.18–0.22/litre. Monthly driving: OMR 30–50. Insurance: OMR 200–400/year. Careem/OTaxi rides: OMR 3–7 within Muscat.
See taxi apps
Healthcare
Employer insurance mandatory. Out-of-pocket: GP OMR 15–30, specialist OMR 25–50, dental OMR 20–40.
See healthcare
Education
| Curriculum | Annual fees | Monthly |
| Indian (CBSE) | OMR 670–1,500 | OMR 56–125 |
| British mid-range | OMR 3,200–5,800 | OMR 267–483 |
| IB | OMR 4,000–7,000 | OMR 333–583 |
| Premium | OMR 7,500–10,000+ | OMR 625–833+ |
Add 20–35% for bus, uniforms, books, activities.
See schools
How Muscat Stacks Up Against Dubai, London & Mumbai
| City | vs Muscat cost of living |
| Dubai | 25–35% more expensive |
| London | 40–60% more expensive |
| Mumbai | 30–40% cheaper |
The Zero Income Tax Advantage
OMR 2,000/month in Oman = OMR 2,000 in your pocket. £2,000/month in UK ≈ £1,600 after tax. This changes the real value of an Oman package considerably.
A Few Things Nobody Mentions Until You’re Here
- Alcohol is more expensive than home countries — available at licensed venues and stores for residents.
- Ramadan affects eating-out costs — restaurants change menus and hours.
Related: Best Areas | Supermarkets | School Fees | Arrival Pack