Muscat 176th most expensive city to live in.

It's a slow news day today. But of some interest today was Mercer's Cost of Living report. The report basically lists the most expensive cities to live in for expatriates, based on a common set of goods, services, accommodation, etc.

The top 5 Most expensive cities to live in, as an expatriate, anywhere in the world are:

Luanda, Angola (1st)
Tokyo, Japan (2nd)
N'Djamena, Chad (3rd)
Moscow, Russia (4th)
Geneva, Switzerland (5th)

I'm amazed. I always thought Manhatten, London and Moscow were the most expensive cities. OK so Moscow is up there in 4th, but where are the others?!

The top 5 most expensive cities to live in anywhere in the Middle East & African region are:

Luanda, Angola (1st)
N'Djamena, Chad (3rd)
Libreville, Gabon (7th)
Victoria, Seychelles (13th)
Tel Aviv, Israel (19th)


But Muscat comes in at 176th place. So where did we stack up against the other major cities in the GCC?

Abu Dhabi, UAE (50th)
Dubai, UAE (55th)
Manama, Bahrain (139)
Riyadh, KSA (144)
Doha, Qatar (146)
Kuwait City, Kuwait (152)
Muscat, Oman (176)
Jeddah, KSA (181)

And it's been my experience that groceries are more expensive here than in Dubai. Hmmph!

Also, a small highlight, local manufacturer Oman Plastics Industries began making "oxo-biodegrable" plastic bags. I am assuming these are the new type of plastic bags that degrade a lot quicker than your standard shopping bag. I wonder if any of the local supermarket chains will start using them?

That's all for today!

le fin.