Cost Of Living For a Family in Muscat 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Muscat

Average monthly spending for families in Muscat

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: OMR
570 1,600 11,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,500 $4,200 $27,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Muscat?

Families in Muscat spend around 1,600 OMR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 570 OMR or as high as 11,000 OMR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Muscat


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Muscat

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

1 OMR 2.1 OMR 3.5 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.7 $5.4 $9

Restaurant meal for one

3.7 OMR 5.5 OMR 11 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.5 $14 $29

Fine dining meal for one

7.3 OMR 11 OMR 44 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $29 $110

Cappuccino or latte

0.87 OMR 1.4 OMR 2.1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.6 $5.4

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

0.70 OMR 0.84 OMR 1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.2 $2.7

12 eggs

0.52 OMR 0.70 OMR 1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.8 $2.7

Fresh whole chicken

1.2 OMR 1.5 OMR 2.2 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4 $5.7

Pack of beef

1.4 OMR 2.1 OMR 4.2 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $5.4 $11

Medium bag of rice

0.56 OMR 0.77 OMR 1.1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $2 $2.8

Bag of tomatos

0.21 OMR 0.28 OMR 0.52 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.54 $0.72 $1.4

Bag of apples

0.37 OMR 0.49 OMR 0.80 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.97 $1.3 $2.1
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Muscat


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

0.91 OMR 1.1 OMR 2.2 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $2.8 $5.7

Average car full tank

5.2 OMR 7 OMR 14 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $18 $36

Average car 1-day rental

5.7 OMR 7.7 OMR 11 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $20 $30

Average car price

2,600 OMR 5,200 OMR 7,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6,800 $14,000 $18,000

Bus ticket one way

0.19 OMR 0.29 OMR 0.58 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.50 $0.75 $1.5

Car Service

7.7 OMR 11 OMR 23 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20 $30 $60
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Muscat


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

28 OMR 81 OMR 530 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74 $210 $1,400

Internet and cable

5.2 OMR 10 OMR 14 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $27 $36

Mobile phone charges

4.2 OMR 7 OMR 21 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $18 $54

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

2.6 OMR 3.5 OMR 5.2 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.8 $9 $14

One month gym membership

9.2 OMR 11 OMR 23 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $30 $60
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Muscat


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

6.8 OMR 9.6 OMR 14 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $25 $37

Woman dress

6.4 OMR 8.8 OMR 29 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $23 $75

Woman shoes

6.1 OMR 8.2 OMR 19 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $21 $50

Men's shoes

5.2 OMR 6.4 OMR 13 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $17 $33

Men suit

5.7 OMR 7.2 OMR 38 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $19 $100

Regular t-shirt

2.9 OMR 3.8 OMR 11 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.5 $10 $30
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Muscat


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

96 OMR 140 OMR 380 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250 $370 $1,000

1-bedroom apartment

140 OMR 230 OMR 570 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $600 $1,500

2-bedroom apartment

190 OMR 290 OMR 770 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $750 $2,000

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

19,000 OMR 29,000 OMR 57,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$50,000 $75,000 $150,000

1-bedroom apartment

23,000 OMR 38,000 OMR 140,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60,000 $100,000 $370,000

2-bedroom apartment

38,000 OMR 110,000 OMR 230,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $300,000 $600,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Muscat


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

100 OMR 130 OMR 170 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $340 $450

Double Bed

70 OMR 100 OMR 130 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $270 $340

Single Bed

61 OMR 80 OMR 100 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $210 $270

Living Room

120 OMR 150 OMR 520 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $390 $1,400

Dining Table

52 OMR 70 OMR 130 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140 $180 $340

Sofa or Couch

70 OMR 95 OMR 210 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $250 $540
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Muscat


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

70 OMR 100 OMR 210 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $270 $540

Fridge or Freezer

61 OMR 95 OMR 130 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $250 $340

Washing Machine

80 OMR 120 OMR 210 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210 $300 $540

Stove or Cooker

75 OMR 95 OMR 130 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$190 $250 $340

Mobile Phone

87 OMR 100 OMR 150 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$230 $270 $390

Laptop or Computer

95 OMR 120 OMR 210 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250 $300 $540
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Muscat

Family expenditure to income ratio in Muscat

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Muscat

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

96%

85% to 110%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Muscat spend around 96% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 85% of their income while some as high as 110%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Muscat

How do families spend their money in Muscat?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost29%

29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)

LOW$470   180 OMR
AVERAGE$1,400   520 OMR
HIGH$8,800   3,400 OMR
Per Month

Families in Muscat typically spend from 24% to 39% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 29% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 520 OMR with expenditure ranging from 180 OMR to 3,400 OMR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$74   28 OMR
AVERAGE$210   81 OMR
HIGH$1,400   530 OMR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Muscat ranges from 2% to 7% of total expenses with 4% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 81 OMR with 28 OMR and 530 OMR being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$150   57 OMR
AVERAGE$420   160 OMR
HIGH$2,700   1,100 OMR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 57 OMR to 1,100 OMR in a month on commuting with 160 OMR being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$270   100 OMR
AVERAGE$760   290 OMR
HIGH$4,900   1,900 OMR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Muscat is 290 OMR. The cost of groceries can range between 100 OMR to 1,900 OMR. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$130   51 OMR
AVERAGE$420   160 OMR
HIGH$2,200   850 OMR
Per Month

Families in Muscat allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 51 OMR to 850 OMR with 160 OMR being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$74   28 OMR
AVERAGE$210   81 OMR
HIGH$1,400   530 OMR
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 28 OMR to 530 OMR with 81 OMR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$210   80 OMR
AVERAGE$590   230 OMR
HIGH$3,800   1,500 OMR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 230 OMR per month with 80 OMR being the minimum spent amount and 1,500 OMR being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$120   46 OMR
AVERAGE$340   130 OMR
HIGH$2,200   850 OMR
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Muscat

What percentage of families in Muscat are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
69%
Not Saving
31%

Almost 69% of surveyed families in Muscat said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 31% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Muscat

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 19% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

240 OMR
$610
670 OMR
$1,700
4,400 OMR
$11,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 11% to 31% of their monthly income to their savings, with 19% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 670 OMR with 240 OMR and 4,400 OMR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Muscat

Saving Challenges in Muscat

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Muscat. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans18%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later17%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Muscat

Typical saving choices for families in Muscat

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings16%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Muscat

Affordable living in Muscat

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Muscat?


Yes
85%
No
15%

Around 85% of surveyed families think that living in Muscat is affordable with proper budgeting while 15% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Muscat

Low-cost alternatives in Muscat

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options67%

Few low-cost options33%


Based on the survey, 67% of the families living in Muscat have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 33% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Muscat whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes81%

No19%


Based on the survey, 19% of the families living in Muscat said that they don't have an emergency fund while 81% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Muscat

Financial Literacy in Oman

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy73%


We asked family guardians and parents in Muscat whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 27% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 73% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of Oman have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 28% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 72% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance28%

Easily manages finances72%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Muscat

Financial goals of families in Muscat

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Muscat, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction33%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle11%
Healthcare Expenses9%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 33% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Muscat

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Muscat


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
31%
Debt Free
69%

According to the survey, 31% of the families in Muscat have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 69% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Muscat

Debt-to-income ratio in Muscat

Debt to income ratio

31%

21% to 41%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 31% of a family's monthly income in Muscat goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%12%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%15%
10% - 20%18%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Muscat pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Muscat

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage13%
Auto Loan22%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card25%
Personal Loan37%

13% of debtors in Muscat confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 22% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Muscat.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Muscat

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Muscat how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never55%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Muscat

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Muscat

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Muscat

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

96 OMR 140 OMR 380 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250 $370 $1,000

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

140 OMR 230 OMR 570 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $600 $1,500

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

190 OMR 290 OMR 770 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $750 $2,000

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

230 OMR 380 OMR 1,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$600 $1,000 $2,700

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

460 OMR 1,100 OMR 2,300 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,200 $3,000 $6,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

380 OMR 570 OMR 1,600 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,000 $1,500 $4,300

House monthly rent cost

460 OMR 1,100 OMR 2,300 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,200 $3,000 $6,000

Villa monthly rent cost

570 OMR 1,400 OMR 2,300 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,500 $3,700 $6,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Muscat ranges between 96 OMR and 380 OMR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 140 OMR to 570 OMR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 190 OMR and 770 OMR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 230 OMR to 1,000 OMR. The average rent of a townhouse in Muscat is around 570 OMR while house rental costs can be as high as 1,100 OMR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 570 OMR to 2,300 OMR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Muscat

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

19,000 OMR 29,000 OMR 57,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$50,000 $75,000 $150,000

1-bedroom apartment price

23,000 OMR 38,000 OMR 140,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$60,000 $100,000 $370,000

2-bedroom apartment price

38,000 OMR 110,000 OMR 230,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $300,000 $600,000

3-bedroom apartment price

130,000 OMR 190,000 OMR 570,000 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$330,000 $500,000 $1.5M

Townhouse price

160,000 OMR 380,000 OMR 1.4M OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$430,000 $1,000,000 $3.7M

House price

190,000 OMR 1.1M OMR 1.6M OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500,000 $3M $4.3M

Villa price

230,000 OMR 1.3M OMR 1.9M OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$600,000 $3.3M $5M

The average price of a studio apartment in Muscat can range from 19,000 OMR to 57,000 OMR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 23,000 OMR to 140,000 OMR. A villa can cost you 1.3M OMR on average with prices ranging from 230,000 OMR to 1.9M OMR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Muscat will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


45 x134 monthly income 233
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Muscat can be x134 to x233 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x134 multiples of the average monthly salary in Muscat.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


24% 35% of income 46%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Muscat is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 46% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
32%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.2%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


1.6 OMR 21 OMR 210 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Muscat

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Muscat

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

28 OMR 81 OMR 530 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74 $210 $1,400

Internet and cable cost

5.2 OMR 10 OMR 14 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$14 $27 $36

Mobile phone bill and charges

4.2 OMR 7 OMR 21 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $18 $54

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 81 OMR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 5.2 OMR to 14 OMR with 10 OMR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 7 OMR but can range between 4.2 OMR and 21 OMR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2.2% 5.5% of income 9.9%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Muscat is around 5.5%. This means that people pay 5.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.2% to 9.9% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Muscat

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Muscat

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

1 OMR 2.1 OMR 3.5 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.7 $5.4 $9

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Muscat is approximatly 2.1 OMR with meal cost ranging from 1 OMR to 3.5 OMR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

3.7 OMR 5.5 OMR 11 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.5 $14 $29

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 3.7 OMR and 11 OMR with 5.5 OMR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Muscat.

Fine dining meal for one price

7.3 OMR 11 OMR 44 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $29 $110

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 7.3 OMR to 44 OMR with the average cost being 11 OMR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Muscat.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

0.87 OMR 1.4 OMR 2.1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.6 $5.4

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Muscat is around 1.4 OMR. Price ranges between 0.87 OMR and 2.1 OMR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

0.70 OMR 0.84 OMR 1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.2 $2.7

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Muscat is 0.84 OMR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1 OMR and the minimum being 0.70 OMR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

0.52 OMR 0.70 OMR 1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.4 $1.8 $2.7

A dozen eggs costs around 0.70 OMR on average with 0.52 OMR and 1 OMR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

1.2 OMR 1.5 OMR 2.2 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4 $5.7

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Muscat is between 1.2 OMR and 2.2 OMR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1.5 OMR.

Pack of beef price

1.4 OMR 2.1 OMR 4.2 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $5.4 $11

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2.1 OMR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

0.56 OMR 0.77 OMR 1.1 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $2 $2.8

A bag of rice in Muscat costs around 0.77 OMR on average with prices rangeing between 0.56 OMR and 1.1 OMR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

0.21 OMR 0.28 OMR 0.52 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.54 $0.72 $1.4

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.21 OMR to 0.52 OMR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

0.37 OMR 0.49 OMR 0.80 OMR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.97 $1.3 $2.1

A bag of apples costs 0.49 OMR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


19% 27% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Muscat is around 27%. This means that families spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 34% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 100 OMR to 1,900 OMR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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