Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-masna'ah and Salalah Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-masna'ah and Salalah

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $818 per month in Al-masna'ah vs $1,115 in Salalah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,200 per month in Al-masna'ah vs $1,669 in Salalah, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,582 per month in Al-masna'ah vs $2,224 in Salalah, rent included.

Al-masna'ah is about 27% cheaper than Salalah, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Al-masna'ah and Salalah are more affordable than the global median – Al-masna'ah 39% lower, Salalah 17% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.11 OMR 1.97
$5.12 OMR 1.97
-0.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.40 OMR 10.16
$26.37 OMR 10.15
0.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.95 OMR 3.06
$13.06 OMR 5.03
-39.13%
Cappuccino
$4.97 OMR 1.91
$5.97 OMR 2.30
-16.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 OMR 0.41
$0.67 OMR 0.26
58.21%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 OMR 0.12
$0.27 OMR 0.10
18.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$12.21 OMR 4.70
$9.35 OMR 3.60
30.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.51 OMR 4.43
$10.46 OMR 4.03
10.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 OMR 0.74
$1.77 OMR 0.68
9.04%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 OMR 0.47
$1.27 OMR 0.49
-3.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.71 OMR 0.66
$2.05 OMR 0.79
-16.59%
Eggs
$2.36 OMR 0.91
$1.91 OMR 0.73
23.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.75 OMR 1.44
$6.99 OMR 2.69
-46.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.11 OMR 1.97
$4.74 OMR 1.82
7.81%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.40 OMR 3.23
$8.84 OMR 3.40
-4.98%
Apples (1kg)
$2.52 OMR 0.97
$2.05 OMR 0.79
22.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.74 OMR 0.67
$1.06 OMR 0.41
64.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.79 OMR 0.69
$1.60 OMR 0.61
11.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.13 OMR 0.43
$1.15 OMR 0.44
-1.74%
Potato (1kg)
$0.96 OMR 0.37
$1.08 OMR 0.41
-11.11%
Onion (1kg)
$0.97 OMR 0.37
$0.84 OMR 0.32
15.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 OMR 0.42
$0.51 OMR 0.20
111.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 OMR 0.20
$0.57 OMR 0.22
-7.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.44 OMR 2.48
$5.91 OMR 2.28
8.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.82 OMR 6.09
$19.71 OMR 7.59
-19.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.23 OMR 1.63
$3.85 OMR 1.48
9.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.02 OMR 3.09
$4.58 OMR 1.76
75.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.28 OMR 0.49
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$55.2 OMR 21.26
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04 OMR 1.17
$2.33 OMR 0.90
30.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.76 OMR 0.29
$1.33 OMR 0.51
-42.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.30 OMR 3.96
$11.48 OMR 4.42
-10.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.63 OMR 0.24
$0.59 OMR 0.23
6.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.3K OMR 8,949
$20.7K OMR 7,986
12.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K OMR 8,374
$18.0K OMR 6,941
20.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$107 OMR 41.25
$65.3 OMR 25.14
64.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.71 OMR 16.06
$48.94 OMR 18.84
-14.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.4 OMR 26.73
$75.8 OMR 29.19
-8.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$94.7 OMR 36.43
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$25.78 OMR 9.92
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.21 OMR 3.93
$7.75 OMR 2.98
31.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$192 OMR 74.0
$111 OMR 42.81
72.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,766 OMR 3,759
$2,414 OMR 929
304.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.8 OMR 19.57
$28.00 OMR 10.78
81.54%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.61 OMR 14.86
$30.70 OMR 11.82
25.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.4 OMR 30.54
$62.7 OMR 24.11
26.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.1 OMR 34.28
$43.93 OMR 16.91
102.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$255 OMR 98.3
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$211 OMR 81.3
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$501 OMR 193
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$380 OMR 146
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,052 OMR 790
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,219 OMR 469
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al-masna'ah
Salalah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,061 OMR 1,563
$1,800 OMR 693
125.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.15
4.58
12.45%

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

Last update for Al-masna'ah: June 6, 2026

Last update for Salalah: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 126% higher in Al-masna'ah, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Al-masna'ah versus $26.00 in Salalah. Groceries tell a different story – $230 in Al-masna'ah vs $228 in Salalah – so Salalah wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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-masna'ah vs Salalah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Al-masna'ah and Salalah compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $818 in Al-masna'ah, $1,115 in Salalah – roughly 36% apart. Salalah costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Al-masna'ah compared to Salalah?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,227 per month in Al-masna'ah and $1,672 in Salalah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Al-masna'ah or Salalah?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $818 in Al-masna'ah and $1,115 in Salalah. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Al-masna'ah and Salalah?
Kindergarten costs $192 per month in Al-masna'ah and $111 in Salalah. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al-masna'ah, where all-in costs run around $818, than in Salalah at $1,115. In Al-masna'ah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Salalah it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Al-masna'ah or Salalah?
Families tend to lean toward Al-masna'ah – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Al-masna'ah or Salalah safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Al-masna'ah and Salalah?
If budget matters most, go with Al-masna'ah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salalah makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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