Muscat: Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are listed as the top four cheapest tax-free countries for expats. This is followed by Brunei Darussalam, the Maldives, Qatar, Bahamas, Monaco, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Vanuatu.
The Sultanate of Oman has been ranked fifth among the cheapest tax-free countries for expats to relocate to, according to a ranking published by expat insurance firm William Russell, following Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The insurance firm derived its ranking by looking at US dollar costs of one-way economy flights from London and New York, the cost per square meter to buy an apartment, the cost to rent an apartment, the cost of utilities per month, the monthly average costs for a single person and the average monthly net salary
Oman
Relocation score: 7.92/10
The most affordable tax-free country for expats to relocate to is Oman, earning a relocation score of 7.92/10. A one-way economy ticket to the country’s capital city, Muscat, will cost expats around $227 from London and $492 from New York.
On average, Oman is the cheapest country to purchase or rent an apartment in, as well as being the most affordable country in terms of monthly costs (excluding rent).
It is also the third cheapest country for monthly utility bills, costing around $103. The average monthly net salary in Oman is around $2,205.
Kuwait
Relocation score: 6.49/10
In second place is Kuwait, which received a relocation score of 6.49/10.
Expats can expect to pay around $159 for a one-way economy ticket from London to the country’s capital, Kuwait City. Those flying from New York can expect to pay around $660 for the same ticket.
Kuwait is the fourth cheapest country to rent an apartment in, costing around $775 per month, on average. It is also the second most affordable country for both monthly costs and utility bills, joint with Brunei. The average monthly net salary in Kuwait is around $2,743.
Bahrain
Relocation score: 6.36/10
Following closely behind and making the third appearance for the Middle East is Bahrain, earning a relocation score of 6.36/10.
The country’s population is considerably smaller than those of Oman and Kuwait, standing at around 1.5 million people.
A one-way economy ticket to the country’s capital city, Manama, will cost expats approximately $177 from London and $518 from New York.
Bahrain is the second cheapest country to purchase an apartment in, costing around $173 per square metre, on average.
It is the fifth most affordable country for both monthly costs and utility bills.
The average monthly net salary in Bahrain is $2,072.
UAE
Coming in fourth is the United Arab Emirates, which received a relocation score of 5.84/10. Expats can expect to pay around $154 or for a one-way economy ticket from London to the country’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Those flying from New York can expect to pay around $530 for the same ticket.
It costs around $1,016 per month to rent an apartment in the United Arab Emirates.
On average, expats will pay around $169 for utilities per month and have monthly costs of approximately $959 in the country.
The average monthly net salary in the United Arab Emirates is around $3,474.
Maldives
In fifth place is Brunei, earning a relocation score of 5.58/10. A one-way economy ticket to the country’s capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, will cost expats around $942 from London and $1,236 from New York.
Brunei is the second cheapest country to rent an apartment in, costing around $492, on average. It is also the second most affordable country for both monthly costs and utility bills, joint with Kuwait. The average monthly net salary in Brunei is $1,715.
Qatar
Coming in seventh and making yet another appearance for the Middle East is Qatar, earning a relocation score of 5.06/10. The country has a population of approximately 2.7 million people. A one-way economy ticket to the country’s capital, Doha, will cost expats around $356 from London and $551 from New York.
On average, it costs around $403 per square meter to buy an apartment in Qatar. It is the fourth most affordable tax-free country when it comes to monthly utilities, costing approximately $112. The average monthly net salary in Qatar is $4,327.
Bahamas
In eighth place is the Bahamas, which received a relocation score of 4.16/10. Expats can expect to pay around $964 for a one-way economy ticket from London to the country’s capital, Nassau. Those flying from New York can expect to pay around $131 for the same ticket.
It costs around $1,122 per month to rent an apartment in the Bahamas, on average. Expats living in the Bahamas will pay around $285 for utilities per month and have monthly expenses of approximately $1,391. The average monthly net salary in the country is $1,858.
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