Oman offers one of the most comfortable and relatively affordable expatriate lifestyles in the Gulf. While not as cheap as some Southeast Asian or South Asian locations, Oman’s combination of safety, quality of life, tax-free income, and cost levels well below Dubai makes it attractive for professionals at all salary levels. This guide breaks down the numbers for 2026.
Housing — Muscat
Monthly rental ranges for the main Muscat residential areas:
- Studio (Qurm, Shatti): OMR 200 – OMR 350
- 1BR apartment (city average): OMR 250 – OMR 450
- 2BR apartment (Qurm, MSQ, Bausher): OMR 350 – OMR 650
- 3BR villa (Bausher, Ansab): OMR 500 – OMR 900
- Al Mouj/The Wave (premium): OMR 600 – OMR 1,200 for 2BR
Food and Dining
- Groceries (monthly for couple): OMR 120 – OMR 200
- Inexpensive restaurant meal: OMR 1.5 – OMR 4
- Mid-range restaurant (two people): OMR 12 – OMR 25
- Excellent budget dining available — South Asian restaurants serving a full meal for OMR 1–2
- Fish from Oman’s abundant seas is fresh, high quality, and competitively priced at markets
Transport
- Fuel: around OMR 0.24 a litre for M-95 petrol as of August 2026. Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals sets retail fuel prices monthly, so check the current month’s announcement before budgeting
- Car rental: OMR 8 – OMR 15/day for economy class
- Public transport in Muscat is limited — a car is strongly recommended for most expats
- Taxis and Careem/OTaxi available throughout Muscat
Healthcare
- Private health insurance (individual): OMR 200 – OMR 500/year (employer typically provides)
- GP consultation (private): OMR 10 – OMR 20
- Specialist consultation: OMR 20 – OMR 50
- Oman has both public (government) hospitals (free/subsidised for residents) and private hospitals (Royal Hospital, Muscat Private Hospital, Badr Al Samaa group)
Education
- British curriculum international schools: OMR 1,500 – OMR 4,500/year
- American curriculum: OMR 2,000 – OMR 5,000/year
- Indian curriculum (CBSE): OMR 500 – OMR 1,500/year
Salalah — Lower Costs
Salalah generally offers a lower cost of living than Muscat:
- Housing 20–35% lower than equivalent Muscat properties
- Fewer international dining options but very affordable local restaurants
- Smaller international school selection (primarily Indian curriculum)
Monthly Budget Summary — Muscat
- Single professional: OMR 500 – OMR 900/month
- Couple: OMR 800 – OMR 1,400/month
- Family with 2 children (school included): OMR 2,000 – OMR 3,500/month
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oman cheaper than UAE?
Yes — Muscat is notably cheaper than Dubai or Abu Dhabi across housing, school fees, and dining. A professional household in Dubai spending AED 25,000/month (OMR ~2,500) would typically achieve a comparable lifestyle in Muscat for OMR 1,500–2,000/month.
Does Oman have a minimum wage?
Oman’s minimum wage for Omani national employees is OMR 325/month. There is no statutory minimum wage for expatriate workers.
Related Reading
Also Read: Oman Real Estate 2026: Al Mouj Muscat, Foreign Ownership Rules and Property Market Guide | Duqm Special Economic Zone 2026: Why Oman’s Desert City Is Attracting Global Investment | Oman Banking and Finance 2026: Central Bank of Oman, Meethaq Islamic and Muscat Stock Exchange
Primary source: Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information.
