If you are one of the people who are looking to immigrate to Oman, information about the cost of living in this country can be very useful. Oman is a country with a rich culture, beautiful scenery, and a balanced urban life, but immigration to any country comes with financial challenges. In the following, we will discuss some important points about the cost of living in Oman.
The cost of living in Oman is more reasonable than many neighboring countries, and incomes are generally tax-free. Prices are highest in the capital of Oman, Muscat, and according to Mercer’s cost of living survey in 2023, it ranks 130th out of 227 capitals.
Housing Cost in Oman
The cost of housing in Oman is relatively reasonable compared to many neighboring countries. Due to the ongoing construction of new homes, it is easy to find a suitable place for any budget, taste, and lifestyle.
In many cases, the costs of water, gas, and electricity are added to the advertised rent price.
Monthly Rent
The monthly rent of a house in Oman varies depending on the type of house, location, and its amenities. In general, the monthly rent of a house in Oman ranges from 120 to 500 Omani rials per month.
- Small, simple houses in low-cost areas range from 120 to 200 Omani rials per month;
- Larger and more equipped houses in high-cost areas range from 300 to 500 Omani rials per month.
New immigrants should note that some landlords may require a payment of four, six, or twelve months’ rent as a deposit. This amount is determined by agreement between the landlord and the tenant. If the tenant has a checkbook, it is much easier. In any case, the tenant must carefully read the rental contract to be aware of its terms.
Hostel and Dormitory
The monthly rent of a hostel in Oman ranges from 120 to 150 Omani rials per month, while a dormitory with meals costs 90 Omani rials per month.
Daily Rent
The daily rent of a hotel in Oman starts from 20 Omani rials, and daily rent of a hostel starts from 8 Omani rials.
Transportation in Oman
Transportation in Oman is relatively affordable compared to many countries around the world, especially European countries. The price of petrol in Oman is approximately 1 Omani riyal for 4.5 liters.
Public transportation in Oman is mainly concentrated in major cities such as Muscat and Salalah. These cities have a network of buses and taxis that can transport people to different parts of the city. However, many people in Oman prefer to use their own cars. This is due to a number of factors, including the low cost of gasoline, the high quality of roads, and the driving culture in Oman.
The monthly cost of renting a car in Oman is also relatively low. For example, the cost of renting a standard passenger car for one month is about 150 Omani rials.
In addition, ride-hailing apps are also relatively affordable in Oman. The cost of ride-hailing apps such as Otaxi ranges from 1 to 10 Omani rials, depending on the distance.
Overall, it can be said that transportation in Oman offers a variety of options for people with different budgets.
Food Prices in Oman
The price of food in Oman varies depending on the type of food, quality, and location of purchase. In general, the price of food in Oman ranges from 40 to 150 Omani rials (OMR) per month.
People with a simple lifestyle can provide for their food needs with a budget of 40 to 50 OMR per month. These people typically use simple and affordable foods such as rice, bread, beans, vegetables, and seasonal fruits. For a moderate lifestyle, they can provide for their food needs with a budget of around 70 to 100 OMR per month, including a wider variety of foods such as meat, fish, dairy, and eggs.
For people with a luxurious lifestyle who use more expensive foods such as red meat, seafood, processed foods, and alcoholic beverages, they can provide for their food needs with a budget of around 120 to 150 OMR per month.
List of Food Prices in Oman
| Regular milk (1 liter) | 0.69 OMR | approximately between 0.45 and 1.00 |
| Fresh white bread (500 grams) | 0.44 OMR | between 0.30 and 0.80 |
| White rice (1 Kg) | 0.71 OMR | between 0.35 and 1.20 |
| Regular eggs (12 pieces) | 0.92 OMR | between 0.60 and 1.80 |
| Local cheese (1 Kg) | 2.28 OMR | between 1.00 and 8.00 |
| Chicken breast (1 Kg) | 2.00 OMR | between 1.00 and 3.20 |
| Beef sirloin (1 Kg) (or equivalent of red meat sirloin) | 3.41 OMR | between 2.39 and 5.60 |
| Apples (1 Kg) | 0.85 OMR | between 0.50 and 1.20 |
| Bananas (1 Kg) | 0.66 OMR | between 0.40 and 1.20 |
| Oranges (1 Kg) | 0.67 OMR | between 0.40 and 1.20 |
| Tomatoes (1 Kg) | 0.45 OMR | between 0.25 and 0.70 |
| Potatoes (1 Kg) | 0.38 OMR | between 0.25 and 0.50 |
| Onions (1 Kg) | 0.34 OMR | between 0.20 and 0.60 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.42 OMR | between 0.20 and 0.80 |
Cost of food and beverages in Oman is higher for Iranians than for Europeans. However, buying local products can be a solution to save money.
Sin Tax in Oman
Oman has imposed a sin tax on certain products such as tobacco, alcohol, pork, and energy drinks, which has significantly increased the price of these items. Therefore, the cost of purchasing these products in Oman will be prohibitive.
Sin taxes can reduce consumption of goods or services by increasing their prices.
Sin taxes can also be used to offset the social costs associated with the consumption of the goods or services that are subject to them.
Pros and Cons of Sin Tax
Sin tax has both economic and social pros and cons. Pros include reduced consumption of harmful goods or services and offset of social costs associated with them. Cons include increased prices of goods or services and discrimination against certain groups of people.
Alcohol in Oman
Buying alcohol in Oman can be complicated and expensive, and there are strict laws and customs to be aware of. Expats who wish to buy and consume alcohol in Oman must obtain an alcohol license, and the amount of alcohol they can buy is limited to their monthly income. It is illegal to buy more than 10% of your monthly income in alcohol. A valid residence card is required to obtain a license.
Alcohol can only be purchased and consumed in establishments and restaurants that have a proper license to sell it, and expats may face heavy fines if they do not comply with the laws. With an alcohol license, expats can also buy bottles of alcohol from authorized stores for consumption at home.
Clothing Prices in Oman
Clothing prices in a country can vary depending on the brand, location, and time of year.
In general, the cost of basic clothing items is similar in most countries. However, the cost of more expensive clothing items, such as designer clothing and high-end brands, can be significantly higher.
In countries with branches of international brands, the prices of clothing from these brands are often higher than the prices of clothing from local brands.