Cost of Living in Muscat 2026: Complete Expat Budget Breakdown

Muscat Cost of Living Overview

Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, offers one of the most balanced cost-of-living propositions in the GCC. Neither as expensive as Dubai and Doha nor as stripped-down as some budget destinations, Muscat combines affordable living costs with a genuinely beautiful natural setting — mountains, wadis, and pristine coastline — that is unmatched by any other GCC capital. Oman has no personal income tax, and the city's moderate pace of life appeals to professionals and families seeking quality over flash.

Based on 2026 data, a single professional can live comfortably in Muscat on OMR 450-800 per month (approximately USD 1,170-2,080), while a family of four should budget OMR 1,100-1,800 per month (USD 2,860-4,680) excluding school fees. These figures place Muscat alongside Riyadh and Kuwait City as one of the most affordable GCC capitals, offering substantial savings potential — particularly for professionals arriving from more expensive cities.

Muscat's cost of living index sits at approximately 45 compared to New York City's baseline of 100. The city is spread along a narrow coastal strip flanked by the Hajar Mountains, creating a linear urban layout that makes location choice particularly important for both commute times and lifestyle. Unlike the compact island of Bahrain or the centralized grid of Kuwait City, Muscat's geography means housing and work location decisions have an outsized impact on daily costs.

Housing: The Biggest Expense

Housing is the largest expense for Muscat residents, but offers excellent value compared to the UAE or Qatar. The rental market has been relatively soft since 2019, with moderate vacancy rates giving tenants bargaining power. The city's linear layout means that neighborhoods are strung along the coast from the airport in the east to Seeb and Al Mouj in the west, with the traditional city center around Muttrah and Old Muscat in between.

Apartment Rental Prices (Monthly)

• Studio apartment (Al Khuwair): OMR 150-280 — Central area near the Ministry district and government offices. Mix of older and newer building stock with good access to supermarkets, restaurants, and the Oman Avenues Mall.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Qurum): OMR 250-400 — One of Muscat's most desirable residential areas, with mature trees, the Qurum Nature Reserve, and a mix of apartments and villas. Popular with mid-level professionals and couples.
• 1-bedroom apartment (Al Mouj/The Wave): OMR 300-450 — Muscat's premier planned community with a marina, golf course, beach access, and international restaurants. Modern apartments with resort-style living.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Madinat Sultan Qaboos/MQ): OMR 280-400 — Established residential area near the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with good shopping at Qurum City Centre and diverse dining options.
• 2-bedroom apartment (Bausher): OMR 220-350 — Growing residential area behind the commercial strip, offering newer apartments at competitive prices. Good connectivity via the highway.
• 3-bedroom apartment (Ghubra/Azaiba): OMR 300-450 — Coastal areas west of the center with a mix of commercial and residential development. Good value for larger apartments.

Villa Rental Prices (Monthly)

• 3-bedroom villa (Qurum/Shatti Al Qurum): OMR 500-800 — Premium residential areas with beach access, established gardens, and proximity to the beach hotels and diplomatic area. The most sought-after villa locations in Muscat.
• 3-bedroom villa (Madinat Sultan Qaboos): OMR 400-650 — Established compound-style and standalone villas in a central residential area. Good access to schools, hospitals, and the highway.
• 4-bedroom villa (Al Mouj/The Wave): OMR 600-900 — Modern villas in the premier planned community with golf course and marina access.
• 3-bedroom villa (Al Hail/Al Seeb): OMR 300-500 — Western suburbs near the airport and Muscat International Airport. Newer developments at competitive prices, popular with families on moderate budgets.

Rental Market Essentials

Muscat's rental market is relatively tenant-friendly and straightforward:

• Payment structure: Rent is typically paid monthly or quarterly by post-dated cheques or bank transfer. Annual payments with a discount are also common. Monthly payment is more widely accepted in Muscat than in the UAE.
• Tenancy contract: Must be registered with the Municipality (Baladiya). This is required for visa processing and utility connections. The registration process is straightforward and can often be handled by the landlord or their agent.
• Security deposit: Usually one to two months' rent, refundable at lease end.
• Agency fee: Typically one month's rent, though many properties are rented directly through landlords, especially villas.
• MEDC/Nama deposit: OMR 50-100 for utility connection, plus a small activation fee.
• Rent decreases: The soft rental market means there is genuine room for negotiation. Many landlords are willing to reduce rent by 5-15% to secure reliable tenants, and renewal negotiations can yield further reductions if market conditions remain favorable.

Groceries and Dining

Grocery Costs

Muscat has a growing range of supermarket options, though the market is smaller than Dubai's or Riyadh's:

• Budget supermarkets (Lulu, Al Fair, Nesto): OMR 50-80/month for a single person. Lulu Hypermarket is the dominant value option with excellent pricing on staples, fresh produce, and a wide range of South Asian and Filipino products.
• Mid-range supermarkets (Carrefour, Al Meera, Sultan Center): OMR 80-120/month. Good selection of international products and fresh items.
• Premium supermarkets (Spinneys, Al Fair Gourmet, Markaz Al Bahja): OMR 120-160/month. Imported specialty products and organic ranges.

Common item prices:

• Milk (1 liter): OMR 0.400-0.600
• Bread (loaf): OMR 0.300-0.700
• Rice (1 kg): OMR 0.350-0.900
• Chicken breast (1 kg): OMR 1.500-2.500
• Eggs (dozen): OMR 0.700-1.200
• Apples (1 kg): OMR 0.600-1.200
• Water (1.5L bottle): OMR 0.100-0.200

Dining Out

Muscat's dining scene is smaller than Dubai's but offers good variety and value:

• Fast food meal: OMR 1.500-2.500
• Casual restaurant (per person): OMR 2.500-5.000
• Mid-range restaurant (2 people, 3 courses): OMR 12.000-25.000
• Fine dining (per person): OMR 15.000-35.000+
• Cafe coffee: OMR 1.200-2.000
• Local shawarma/plate: OMR 0.500-1.000
• Food delivery (average order): OMR 2.000-4.000 plus OMR 0.300-0.800 delivery fee

Budget tip: Muscat's best value dining is in the Ruwi and Muttrah areas, where Indian, Pakistani, and Yemeni restaurants serve excellent meals for OMR 1.000-2.000. The Muttrah Souq corniche area is particularly atmospheric for an evening meal. Al Khuwair and Qurum have a growing number of independent cafes and casual restaurants offering good food at moderate prices. Oman's own culinary tradition — including shuwa (slow-cooked lamb), harees, and Omani halwa — is worth exploring at traditional restaurants.

Transportation

Muscat is a car-dependent city with limited public transport, though recent improvements have expanded options:

Public Transport

• Mwasalat bus: Oman's public transport company operates bus routes covering major corridors in Muscat. Single ride: OMR 0.200-0.500. Routes connect the airport, Ruwi, Al Khuwair, Qurum, and Seeb. Service is clean and air-conditioned but frequency is limited on some routes.
• No metro system: Muscat does not have a metro or light rail. Given the city's linear geography and relatively small population, a metro is not currently planned.
• Intercity bus (Muscat to Salalah/Sohar): OMR 5-12 one way via Mwasalat. Long-distance routes connect Muscat to other Omani cities.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Taxi (10 km ride): OMR 2.000-4.000. Traditional orange-and-white taxis are metered but drivers sometimes prefer to negotiate. Always insist on the meter.
• OTaxi/Careem: Available and growing in popularity. A 10 km ride costs OMR 1.500-3.000. More transparent pricing than traditional taxis.
• Airport transfer (Muscat International to Qurum): OMR 5.000-8.000. The airport is located in Seeb, approximately 30 km from central Muscat.

Private Vehicle

• Fuel (per liter): OMR 0.199-0.236 (government-set monthly). Affordable by international standards, though higher than Kuwait or Saudi Arabia due to Oman's subsidy reforms.
• Car payment (mid-range sedan): OMR 100-200/month for financing.
• Insurance: OMR 100-300/year. Third-party is mandatory; comprehensive is recommended given the mountainous roads.
• No road tolls: Oman has no toll system on any roads.
• Parking: Largely free throughout the city, including most commercial areas. Paid parking is limited to a few central zones at OMR 0.100-0.300/hour.

Car ownership is essentially necessary in Muscat, given the city's linear spread and limited public transport. However, the costs are very manageable — no tolls, cheap fuel, free parking, and low insurance make operating a vehicle in Muscat significantly cheaper than in the UAE.

Utilities

Utility costs in Muscat are managed through MEDC (Muscat Electricity Distribution Company, part of the Nama Group):

• Electricity (apartment): OMR 15-40/month depending on size and AC usage. Oman reformed its utility subsidies in recent years, with a tiered tariff system that charges higher rates for higher consumption. The first 3,000 kWh/month is at a subsidized rate, with higher tiers at market rates.
• Water (apartment): OMR 3-10/month. Water is scarce in Oman and mostly produced through desalination, but residential rates remain affordable.
• Electricity + Water (villa): OMR 40-100/month. Larger properties, particularly those with gardens requiring irrigation, consume significantly more.
• Internet (Omantel, Ooredoo Oman): OMR 15-30/month for 100-500 Mbps fiber packages. Omantel has the widest fiber coverage, while Ooredoo offers competitive alternatives.
• Mobile phone plan: OMR 8-20/month for plans with unlimited calls and 20-100+ GB data.

Utility costs in Muscat are moderate — higher than Kuwait's heavily subsidized rates, but lower than the UAE's. The tiered electricity tariff means that energy-conscious residents can keep costs very low. All utilities can be managed through respective provider apps.

Healthcare

Oman has invested significantly in healthcare infrastructure, and Muscat offers good quality care:

• Health insurance: Mandatory for all expat workers under the Dhamani health insurance scheme (launched 2019). Employers must provide coverage. Plans range from basic to comprehensive, covering government and private facilities.
• GP consultation (private): OMR 8-20 per visit. Government health centers: OMR 1-3 with a valid resident card.
• Specialist consultation (private): OMR 15-35 per visit.
• Dental checkup: OMR 8-20 (basic cleaning and exam).
• Emergency room visit: OMR 10-50+ at private facilities. Government hospitals handle emergencies at nominal cost for residents.
• Pharmacy: Prescription medications are affordable at OMR 1-8 for common medications.

Major facilities include Royal Hospital (government flagship), Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (academic medical center), Khoula Hospital (trauma center), Starcare Hospital (private), and Muscat Private Hospital. The Royal Hospital and SQUH are considered among the best government hospitals in the GCC, with modern equipment and well-trained staff. Healthcare costs in Muscat are among the lowest in the region for comparable quality.

Education

Muscat has a growing international school sector, though it is smaller than Dubai's or Riyadh's:

• International schools (per year): OMR 2,500-5,000 depending on curriculum and reputation. British, American, and IB curricula are available. The British curriculum is the most common.
• Premium schools (per year): OMR 5,000-6,000 for top-tier schools like the British School Muscat, American British Academy, and Muscat International School.
• Indian curriculum schools (per year): OMR 500-1,500. Schools like the Indian School Muscat and Indian School Al Ghubra are well-established with large enrollments and strong academic records.
• Nursery/preschool (per month): OMR 80-220 for children aged 2-4. Quality varies, with international nurseries at the higher end.

Education in Muscat is affordable by GCC standards, with fees roughly comparable to Bahrain and Kuwait. The Ministry of Education regulates school operations. Some employers, particularly in the oil and gas sector (PDO, OQ, Shell Oman), provide generous education allowances of OMR 2,000-5,000 per child per year, which can cover a significant portion of premium school fees.

Detailed Monthly Budget Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single Professional (Moderate Lifestyle)

Scenario 2: Couple (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Scenario 3: Family of Four (Comfortable Lifestyle)

Money-Saving Tips for Muscat

• Choose Al Hail or Seeb for maximum housing value: These western suburbs near the airport offer 3-bedroom villas at OMR 300-450/month — up to 40% less than equivalent properties in Qurum or Shatti Al Qurum. The trade-off is a 25-35 minute commute to central Muscat, but the newer housing stock and proximity to Muscat International Airport are advantages.
• Embrace Oman's free outdoor lifestyle: Muscat's greatest cost advantage is free entertainment. Wadi Shab, Wadi Bani Khalid, Jebel Akhdar, and dozens of other natural destinations cost nothing beyond fuel. Snorkeling at Bandar Khayran, hiking in the Hajar Mountains, and camping in the desert are weekend activities that families enjoy year-round during cooler months.
• Shop at Lulu and local souqs: Lulu Hypermarket offers the best everyday prices in Muscat. For fresh fish, the Muttrah Fish Market has the freshest and cheapest seafood in the city. Local fruit and vegetable souqs in Seeb and Ruwi offer produce at 30-50% below supermarket prices.
• Use Mwasalat for select routes: While a car is essential for most needs, the Mwasalat bus is excellent for the Ruwi-Al Khuwair-Seeb corridor. Single professionals working along this route can use the bus for daily commuting at OMR 0.200-0.500/ride and reserve the car for evenings and weekends.
• Negotiate rent aggressively: Muscat's rental market has had moderate vacancy rates, giving tenants leverage. Ask for 10-15% reductions at lease signing and renewal. Offering a multi-year commitment can secure additional discounts of 5-10%.
• Take advantage of PDO and oil-sector social clubs: If you or your partner works in the oil and gas sector, company social clubs (PDO, Shell, OQ) offer subsidized sports facilities, restaurants, and family activities at well below market rates. These memberships represent significant recreational value.
• Cook seafood at home: Oman's coastline produces exceptional fresh fish at low prices. The Muttrah Fish Market sells fresh catch daily — kingfish, hammour, prawns, and lobster at a fraction of restaurant prices. Cooking at home 5-6 nights per week saves OMR 100-150/month compared to dining out regularly.
• Time your electronics and clothing purchases: Muscat Festival (January-February) and Eid sales offer 30-50% discounts at malls. Electronics are often cheaper in Muscat than Dubai due to lower overhead costs for retailers, particularly at the Ruwi electronics souq.