🇦🇪 Dubai vs 🇴🇲 Muscat
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Muscat is 45% cheaper than Dubai
Quick answer
Comparing Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Muscat, Oman: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $3,846 in Dubai versus $2,100 in Muscat. Muscat is roughly 45% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $2,286/mo (Dubai) vs $800/mo (Muscat). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $3,846/mo in Dubai single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $2,100/mo in Muscat single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $2,286/mo in Dubai · $800/mo in Muscat.
- Cheaper overall: Muscat ~45% cheaper than Dubai.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 🇴🇲 Muscat | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2,700/mo | $1,450/mo | -46% |
| Moderate | $3,846/mo | $2,100/mo | -45% |
| Comfortable | $5,750/mo | $3,150/mo | -45% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 🇴🇲 Muscat | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $2,286/mo | $800/mo | -65% |
| Groceries & Food | $480/mo | $400/mo | -17% |
| Dining Out | $240/mo | $200/mo | -17% |
| Transport | $240/mo | $200/mo | -17% |
| Utilities & Internet | $240/mo | $200/mo | -17% |
| Healthcare | $192/mo | $160/mo | -17% |
| Leisure & Personal | $168/mo | $140/mo | -17% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Dubai
$2,286
Muscat
$800
Groceries & Food
Dubai
$480
Muscat
$400
Dining Out
Dubai
$240
Muscat
$200
Transport
Dubai
$240
Muscat
$200
Utilities & Internet
Dubai
$240
Muscat
$200
Healthcare
Dubai
$192
Muscat
$160
Leisure & Personal
Dubai
$168
Muscat
$140
Quick Facts
🇦🇪 Dubai
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $3,846
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,286/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $10.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $80
- Internet speed
- 200 Mbps
- Safety index
- 88/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 97/100
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
🇴🇲 Muscat
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,100
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $800/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $5.00
- Internet speed
- 80 Mbps
- Safety index
- 92/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 87/100
- Country
- Oman
Explore more: Dubai city guide | Muscat city guide | United Arab Emirates | Oman
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubai or Muscat cheaper to live in?
Muscat is approximately 45% cheaper than Dubai overall.
How much does it cost to live in Dubai per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Dubai is approximately $3,846 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Muscat per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Muscat is approximately $2,100 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Dubai and Muscat?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $2,286/month in Dubai and $800/month in Muscat.