Cost of living in Muscat (Oman) is 29% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 863 prices entered by 154 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Muscat (Oman) is 12% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 69) | Dirham 45 | + 55% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 3.523 (Dirham 34) | Dirham 34 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 1.682 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 17 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 0.750 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 7 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 1.022 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 12 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 0.472 (Dirham 4.50) | Dirham 6 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 1.879 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 17 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 1.286 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 9 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 0.549 (Dirham 5.24) | Dirham 4.48 | + 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ﷼ 1.325 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 10 | + 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 68) | Dirham 59 | + 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 0.817 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 0.402 (Dirham 3.84) | Dirham 5.13 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Muscat (Oman) is 57% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 499 (Dirham 4,763) | Dirham 14,724 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 288 (Dirham 2,746) | Dirham 9,417 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 46 (Dirham 441) | Dirham 829 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 325 (Dirham 3,105) | Dirham 8,201 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 186 (Dirham 1,774) | Dirham 5,341 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 30 (Dirham 287) | Dirham 622 | - 54% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 230) | Dirham 336 | - 31% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 120 (Dirham 1,149) | Dirham 770 | + 49% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 41 (Dirham 395) | Dirham 296 | + 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 3.828 (Dirham 37) | Dirham 41 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 3.720 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 31 | + 16% | |
| Clothes | - 28% | |||
| Clothes in Muscat (Oman) is 28% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 21 (Dirham 204) | Dirham 251 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 140) | Dirham 220 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 37 (Dirham 356) | Dirham 399 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 233) | Dirham 408 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in Muscat (Oman) is 27% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 7,948 (Dirham 75,823) | Dirham 92,536 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 0.260 (Dirham 2.48) | Dirham 2.88 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 19 (Dirham 185) | Dirham 303 | - 39% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 10 (Dirham 98) | Dirham 36 | + 168% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Muscat (Oman) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 1.793 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 25 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 75) | Dirham 38 | + 99% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 139) | Dirham 284 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 3.377 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 21 | + 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 2.340 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 19 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 2.034 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 21 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 0.829 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 10 | - 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 1.719 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 13 | + 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 4.164 (Dirham 40) | Dirham 40 | - 2% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Muscat (Oman) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 86) | Dirham 147 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 66) | Dirham 98 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 52 (Dirham 499) | Dirham 283 | + 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 19 (Dirham 182) | Dirham 275 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 79) | Dirham 75 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 2.985 (Dirham 28) | Dirham 22 | + 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ﷼ 4.154 (Dirham 40) | Dirham 45 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 234 (Dirham 2,235) | Dirham 1,999 | + 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.156 (Dirham 1.49) | Dirham 0.56 | + 166% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 14 (Dirham 135) | Dirham 318 | - 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 2.130 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 22 | - 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 29% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 863 prices entered by 154 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.540
AED
/
OMR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 41,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 28,998 (﷼ 3,040) in Muscat.
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