Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Salalah Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ghubra and Salalah

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $90.2 in Al Ghubra versus $1,022 in Salalah.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $158 in Al Ghubra versus $1,542 in Salalah.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $227 in Al Ghubra versus $2,061 in Salalah.

Living in Al Ghubra costs roughly 91% less than in Salalah, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al Ghubra 93% lower, Salalah 26% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.28 OMR 2.03

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.36 OMR 10.15

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.14 OMR 5.06

Cappuccino

$6.29 OMR 2.42

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 OMR 0.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.90 OMR 3.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.43 OMR 4.02

Milk (1 liter)

$2.56 OMR 0.99

$2.00 OMR 0.77

28.00%

White Bread (500g)

$1.21 OMR 0.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.67 OMR 1.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.62 OMR 1.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.63 OMR 1.78

Apples (1kg)

$1.94 OMR 0.75

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 OMR 0.69

Oranges (1kg)

$2.12 OMR 0.82

Tomato (1kg)

$1.87 OMR 0.72

Potato (1kg)

$1.44 OMR 0.55

Onion (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 OMR 0.42

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 OMR 0.19

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.94 OMR 2.29

Wine (Bottle)

$20.10 OMR 7.74

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.88 OMR 1.50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.82 OMR 1.85

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.32 OMR 0.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.0 OMR 21.17

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.23 OMR 0.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.51 OMR 4.43

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 OMR 0.24

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.1K OMR 8,121

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$18.2K OMR 6,998

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$79.6 OMR 30.63

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.86 OMR 18.81

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.1 OMR 28.14

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.27 OMR 17.04

$39.76 OMR 15.31

11.34%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.71 OMR 13.75

$25.79 OMR 9.93

38.46%

Cinema Ticket

$9.01 OMR 3.47

$7.76 OMR 2.99

16.11%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$178 OMR 68.7

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,912 OMR 736

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.56 OMR 11.00

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.61 OMR 11.78

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.4 OMR 22.10

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.61 OMR 17.56

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$248 OMR 95.6

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$206 OMR 79.4

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$621 OMR 239

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$393 OMR 151

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,001 OMR 770

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,246 OMR 480

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,127 OMR 1,204

$1,813 OMR 698

72.51%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.58

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Al Ghubra: August 29, 2026

Last update for Salalah: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Al Ghubra pays 73% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Al Ghubra vs Salalah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al Ghubra and Salalah differ by about 1033% in total monthly costs ($90.2 vs $1,022 including rent). Al Ghubra is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

Average pay runs 73% higher in Al Ghubra, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Supermarket bills run roughly 697% higher in Salalah. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $90.2 per month in Al Ghubra versus $1,022 in Salalah – a 1033% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Al Ghubra gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Al Ghubra and Salalah are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Al Ghubra gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1033% less than in Salalah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.