Cost of living in Muscat (Oman) is 69% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 275 prices entered by 22 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Muscat (Oman) is 43% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 7 (RM76) | RM21 | + 265% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 3.528 (RM41) | RM19 | + 119% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 1.679 (RM19) | RM11 | + 79% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 0.774 (RM9) | RM8 | + 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 1.023 (RM12) | RM12 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 0.467 (RM5.37) | RM8 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 1.877 (RM22) | RM28 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 1.282 (RM15) | RM9 | + 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 0.544 (RM6) | RM5.23 | + 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ﷼ 1.320 (RM15) | RM11 | + 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ﷼ 7 (RM81) | RM147 | - 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 0.855 (RM10) | RM4.89 | + 101% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 0.400 (RM4.60) | RM3.59 | + 28% | |
| Housing | + 112% | |||
| Housing in Muscat (Oman) is 112% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 481 (RM5,533) | RM2,760 | + 101% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 298 (RM3,432) | RM1,631 | + 110% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 45 (RM515) | RM257 | + 100% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 367 (RM4,216) | RM1,723 | + 145% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 196 (RM2,253) | RM1,046 | + 115% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 28 (RM320) | RM164 | + 95% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 25 (RM290) | RM115 | + 153% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 120 (RM1,381) | RM1,737 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 41 (RM475) | RM584 | - 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 3.722 (RM43) | RM30 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 3.744 (RM43) | RM25 | + 71% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in Muscat (Oman) is 15% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 22 (RM248) | RM295 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 15 (RM168) | RM114 | + 47% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 37 (RM429) | RM289 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 28 (RM317) | RM331 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | + 27% | |||
| Transportation in Muscat (Oman) is 27% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 7,990 (RM91,902) | RM160,078 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 0.260 (RM2.99) | RM2.39 | + 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 19 (RM222) | RM117 | + 89% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 5.597 (RM64) | RM47 | + 37% | |
| Personal Care | + 138% | |||
| Personal Care in Muscat (Oman) is 138% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 1.776 (RM20) | RM14 | + 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 6 (RM72) | RM22 | + 228% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 15 (RM168) | RM78 | + 116% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 3.388 (RM39) | RM34 | + 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 2.343 (RM27) | RM7 | + 277% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 2.054 (RM24) | RM12 | + 94% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 0.823 (RM9) | RM5.06 | + 87% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 1.923 (RM22) | RM7 | + 210% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 4.164 (RM48) | RM39 | + 22% | |
| Entertainment | + 155% | |||
| Entertainment in Muscat (Oman) is 155% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Muscat | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 9 (RM105) | RM46 | + 126% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 7 (RM82) | RM26 | + 219% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 52 (RM598) | RM70 | + 754% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 19 (RM219) | RM114 | + 92% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ﷼ 8 (RM95) | RM26 | + 259% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 2.976 (RM34) | RM12 | + 176% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ﷼ 4.173 (RM48) | RM16 | + 207% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 244 (RM2,811) | RM1,865 | + 51% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.155 (RM1.79) | RM0.27 | + 553% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 14 (RM166) | RM180 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 1.878 (RM22) | RM17 | + 30% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 69% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 275 prices entered by 22 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
11.502
MYR
/
OMR
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For example, you would need at least RM13,537 (﷼ 1,177) in Muscat to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,000 in Kota Kinabalu.
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