Cost of living in Manama (Bahrain) is 8% cheaper than in Muscat (Oman)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 127 prices entered by 44 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 20% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Manama (Bahrain) is 20% cheaper than in Muscat (Oman) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Manama | Muscat | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dinar 3.149 (﷼ 3.216) | ﷼ 3.089 | + 4% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dinar 2.835 (﷼ 2.895) | ﷼ 2.805 | + 3% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dinar 1.256 (﷼ 1.283) | ﷼ 1.617 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dinar 0.585 (﷼ 0.597) | ﷼ 0.880 | - 32% | |
12 eggs, large | Dinar 1.090 (﷼ 1.114) | ﷼ 1.565 | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dinar 0.436 (﷼ 0.445) | ﷼ 1.120 | - 60% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dinar 2.585 (﷼ 2.640) | ﷼ 1.555 | + 70% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dinar 1.028 (﷼ 1.050) | ﷼ 0.856 | + 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dinar 0.374 (﷼ 0.382) | ﷼ 0.843 | - 55% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dinar 1.328 (﷼ 1.356) | ﷼ 1.617 | - 16% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dinar 7 (﷼ 7) | ﷼ 8 | - 11% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dinar 0.890 (﷼ 0.909) | ﷼ 1.182 | - 23% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dinar 0.303 (﷼ 0.310) | ﷼ 0.509 | - 39% | |
Housing | - 14% | |||
Housing in Manama (Bahrain) is 14% cheaper than in Muscat (Oman) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Manama | Muscat | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dinar 395 (﷼ 403) | ﷼ 460 | - 12% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dinar 346 (﷼ 353) | ﷼ 314 | + 12% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dinar 83 (﷼ 85) | ﷼ 62 | + 37% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dinar 347 (﷼ 355) | ﷼ 253 | + 40% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dinar 228 (﷼ 233) | ﷼ 168 | + 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dinar 35 (﷼ 36) | ﷼ 37 | - 2% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dinar 14 (﷼ 14) | ﷼ 31 | - 54% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dinar 130 (﷼ 133) | ﷼ 188 | - 29% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 44 (﷼ 45) | ﷼ 54 | - 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dinar 3.592 (﷼ 3.668) | ﷼ 3.346 | + 10% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dinar 2.778 (﷼ 2.837) | ﷼ 3.176 | - 11% | |
Clothes | + 31% | |||
Clothes in Manama (Bahrain) is 31% more expensive than in Muscat (Oman) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Manama | Muscat | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dinar 20 (﷼ 20) | ﷼ 16 | + 26% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dinar 20 (﷼ 20) | ﷼ 16 | + 25% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 41 (﷼ 42) | ﷼ 29 | + 45% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dinar 42 (﷼ 43) | ﷼ 27 | + 61% | |
Transportation | + 1% | |||
Transportation in Manama (Bahrain) is about the same as in Muscat (Oman) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Manama | Muscat | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dinar 6,996 (﷼ 7,144) | ﷼ 7,619 | - 6% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dinar 0.196 (﷼ 0.200) | ﷼ 0.216 | - 7% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dinar 14 (﷼ 14) | ﷼ 14 | + 4% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Dinar 6 (﷼ 7) | ﷼ 5.623 | + 17% | |
Personal Care | - 7% | |||
Personal Care in Manama (Bahrain) is 7% cheaper than in Muscat (Oman) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Manama | Muscat | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 1.768 (﷼ 1.805) | ﷼ 4.302 | - 58% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dinar 5.870 (﷼ 5.994) | ﷼ 8 | - 24% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dinar 15 (﷼ 15) | ﷼ 11 | + 41% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dinar 2.448 (﷼ 2.500) | ﷼ 3.044 | - 18% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dinar 2.171 (﷼ 2.217) | ﷼ 1.891 | + 17% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dinar 2.161 (﷼ 2.207) | ﷼ 1.890 | + 17% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dinar 1.133 (﷼ 1.157) | ﷼ 1.115 | + 4% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dinar 1.286 (﷼ 1.313) | ﷼ 1.490 | - 12% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dinar 2.424 (﷼ 2.476) | ﷼ 4.479 | - 45% | |
Entertainment | - 3% | |||
Entertainment in Manama (Bahrain) is about the same as in Muscat (Oman) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Manama | Muscat | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dinar 13 (﷼ 14) | ﷼ 8 | + 61% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dinar 7 (﷼ 7) | ﷼ 7 | + 1% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dinar 27 (﷼ 28) | ﷼ 72 | - 61% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dinar 20 (﷼ 20) | ﷼ 12 | + 64% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dinar 6 (﷼ 6) | ﷼ 9 | - 32% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dinar 2.130 (﷼ 2.175) | ﷼ 1.888 | + 15% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dinar 3.146 (﷼ 3.213) | ﷼ 3.968 | - 19% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dinar 192 (﷼ 196) | ﷼ 172 | + 14% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dinar 0.024 (﷼ 0.025) | ﷼ 0.053 | - 53% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dinar 25 (﷼ 25) | ﷼ 27 | - 6% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dinar 1.483 (﷼ 1.514) | ﷼ 2.393 | - 37% | |
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TOTAL | - 8% |

These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.021
OMR
/
BHD
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ﷼ 1,400 in Muscat you would need to make just about ﷼ 1,285 (Dinar 1,258) in Manama.
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