Compare countries · Oman vs Saudi Arabia
Oman vs Saudi Arabia
Oman(Asia)·
Saudi Arabia(Asia)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Oman leads on 6, Saudi Arabia on 4, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Oman cheaper than Saudi Arabia?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Oman at 43.6 and Saudi Arabia at 43.9. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is Oman or Saudi Arabia safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Oman scores 1.85 and Saudi Arabia scores 2.07. Oman ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Oman or Saudi Arabia?
On the UN Human Development Index, Oman scores 0.819 and Saudi Arabia scores 0.875. Saudi Arabia scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Oman compared to Saudi Arabia?
GNI per capita runs $19,520 in Oman against $36,070 in Saudi Arabia; people live 80.2 years on average against 79.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 64 against 62. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Oman
43.6
Around the global middle
Saudi Arabia
43.9
Worse than 56% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Oman
13.2
Better than 56% of countries
Saudi Arabia
13.5
Around the global middle
Oman: 2% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Oman
1.85
Better than 64% of countries
Saudi Arabia
2.07
Worse than 58% of countries
Oman: more peaceful (1.85 vs 2.07).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Oman
81.6
Better than 96% of countries
Saudi Arabia
76.7
Better than 91% of countries
Oman: higher perceived safety (81.6 vs 76.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Oman
0.819
Better than 70% of countries
Saudi Arabia
0.875
Better than 79% of countries
Saudi Arabia: higher human development (0.875 vs 0.819).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Oman
$42,295
Better than 70% of countries
Saudi Arabia
$73,784
Better than 89% of countries
Saudi Arabia: 74% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Oman
80.2 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
Saudi Arabia
79.0 yrs
Better than 76% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Oman
63.5
Around the global middle
Saudi Arabia
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Oman: better-rated healthcare (63.5 vs 62.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Oman
95 Mbps
Around the global middle
Saudi Arabia
164 Mbps
Better than 71% of countries
Saudi Arabia: 73% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Oman
44/100
Worse than 71% of countries
Saudi Arabia
19/100
Worse than 98% of countries
Oman: freer press (44 vs 19 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Oman
6.20
Better than 60% of countries
Saudi Arabia
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
Saudi Arabia: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.20).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Oman
71.3
Worse than 68% of countries
Saudi Arabia
38.6
Worse than 95% of countries
Oman: more pleasant climate rating (71.3 vs 38.6).
Not comparable for this pair
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
Deciding between Oman and Saudi Arabia for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Oman profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Saudi Arabia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.