Is Oman expensive for expats?

No, and that surprises people who price the Gulf off Dubai headlines. CostLiving’s moderate benchmark for Oman is $1,350 per person per month, less than half the United States benchmark of $3,275, and Muscat carries no premium over the rest of the country. Rent is the anchor: $541 a month at the moderate tier buys a proper one-bed, not a studio compromise. Petrol and utilities run cheap, there is no personal income tax, and eating like a local costs a fraction of eating like a tourist. Where expat budgets blow out is the imported lifestyle: international school fees for families, premium compounds, and Western groceries, which is what separates the $1,350 moderate tier from the $2,095 comfortable tier. The honest comparison for most expats weighing Gulf options is that Oman trades a quieter social scene for meaningfully lower costs and less pressure to perform wealth. Full figures on our Oman cost of living page.