UAE ranked highest, Oman lowest cost of living in the Gulf

This is according to the 2025 Cost of Living Index

The UAE ranked highest in the Gulf for the cost of living in 2025, while Oman was the most affordable, according to the 2025 Cost of Living Index.

The UAE secured the top position among GCC countries and Arab nations, ranking 30th globally with an average score of 54.1 points. Bahrain followed as the second most expensive in the Gulf, third in the Arab world, and 38th globally with 48.3 points. Qatar came third in the GCC, fourth in the Arab world, and 40th globally, scoring 47.5 points.

Saudi Arabia ranked fourth in the Gulf, fifth in the Arab region, and 56th globally with 41.9 points, while Kuwait placed fifth in the GCC, sixth in the Arab world, and 60th globally with 40.4 points. Oman emerged as the most affordable Gulf nation, ranking sixth in the GCC, seventh in the Arab world, and 62nd globally with a score of 39.8 points.

In the broader Arab world, Yemen had the second-highest cost of living, followed by Palestine in eighth place, Lebanon in ninth, and Somalia in tenth.

Globally, Switzerland, the US Virgin Islands, Iceland, the Bahamas, Singapore, Hong Kong, Barbados, Norway, Papua New Guinea, and Denmark were the ten most expensive countries. Conversely, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Bangladesh, Russia, and Paraguay were identified as the most affordable among the 139 countries included in the index.