Living in Muscat, Oman
Muscat is one of the Oman destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Muscat city center rents for around OMR 820/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages OMR 560/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about OMR 160 for groceries (single person) and OMR 32 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Muscat scores 95, which makes it one of the more expensive cities in the region.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Muscat starts at roughly OMR 1,012/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost OMR 13 for a mid-range meal and OMR 1 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around OMR 2. Owning a car adds approximately OMR 220/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Muscat skip this in favour of public transport or the OMR 32/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
Private health insurance for a single expat in Muscat costs around OMR 35/month, with a family plan at OMR 110. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about OMR 29, while specialists charge around OMR 53. Families should budget OMR 700/month for international schooling, or OMR 380/month for a local private school.
Who does Muscat suit best?
Muscat works especially well for mid-career remote workers who want a Western European base without London or Paris prices, digital nomads — a hot desk here costs around OMR 120, families with school-age children who need international education below the €18k/year mark.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.