Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-qabil and Salalah Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-qabil and Salalah

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $46.66 in Al-qabil versus $1,111 in Salalah.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $70.0 in Al-qabil versus $1,643 in Salalah.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $94.1 in Al-qabil versus $2,175 in Salalah.

Living in Al-qabil costs roughly 96% less than in Salalah, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al-qabil 97% lower, Salalah 17% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$5.22 OMR 2.00
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$25.83 OMR 9.92
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$13.07 OMR 5.02
-
Cappuccino
-
$6.04 OMR 2.32
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.67 OMR 0.26
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.25 OMR 0.10
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$9.22 OMR 3.54
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$10.60 OMR 4.07
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.71 OMR 0.66
-
White Bread (500g)
-
$1.26 OMR 0.48
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$2.12 OMR 0.81
-
Eggs
-
$1.96 OMR 0.75
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$6.72 OMR 2.58
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$4.59 OMR 1.76
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$9.26 OMR 3.56
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.14 OMR 0.82
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.10 OMR 0.42
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.58 OMR 0.60
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.16 OMR 0.44
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.13 OMR 0.44
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$0.84 OMR 0.32
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.53 OMR 0.20
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.53 OMR 0.21
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$5.68 OMR 2.18
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$19.62 OMR 7.53
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$4.01 OMR 1.54
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.63 OMR 1.78
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.32 OMR 0.51
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.8 OMR 20.65
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.21 OMR 0.85
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.28 OMR 0.49
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$11.76 OMR 4.52
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$0.59 OMR 0.23
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$20.7K OMR 7,952
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$18.2K OMR 6,994
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$64.4 OMR 24.71
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$49.60 OMR 19.05
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$77.5 OMR 29.75
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.08 OMR 10.02
$94.7 OMR 36.37
-72.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$26.51 OMR 10.18
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.33 OMR 3.97
$7.66 OMR 2.94
34.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$111 OMR 42.80
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$2,402 OMR 922
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$27.22 OMR 10.45
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$31.71 OMR 12.17
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$63.3 OMR 24.29
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$43.40 OMR 16.66
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$253 OMR 97.3
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$209 OMR 80.4
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$502 OMR 193
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$374 OMR 144
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,015 OMR 774
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,232 OMR 473
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al-qabil
Salalah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$1,743 OMR 669
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
4.58
-

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

Last update for Al-qabil: April 27, 2026

Last update for Salalah: April 28, 2026

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-qabil vs Salalah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salalah cheaper than Al-qabil?
Al-qabil is cheaper overall, especially in Sport & Entertainment, Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 2280% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $70.0 in Al-qabil and $1,666 in Salalah to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Is $1,000 enough for either Al-qabil or Salalah?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Al-qabil gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Al-qabil or Salalah?
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.
Which city is safer, Al-qabil or Salalah?
Safety-wise, Al-qabil 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al-qabil gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2280% less than in Salalah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Al-qabil vs other spots: cost of living compared