Cost of Living Comparison Between Duqm and SalalahCost of Living Comparison Between Duqm and Salalah
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $97.6 in Duqm versus $1,086 in Salalah.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $148 in Duqm versus $1,648 in Salalah.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $199 in Duqm versus $2,209 in Salalah.
πLiving in Duqm costs roughly 91% less than in Salalah, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Duqm93% lower, Salalah19% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.00OMRΒ 0.77
$5.35OMRΒ 2.06
-62.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$26.28OMRΒ 10.12
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$12.82OMRΒ 4.93
-
Cappuccino
-
$6.01OMRΒ 2.32
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51OMRΒ 0.20
$0.64OMRΒ 0.25
-20.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50OMRΒ 0.19
$0.25OMRΒ 0.10
100.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$9.21OMRΒ 3.55
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$10.59OMRΒ 4.08
-
π Groceries & Markets
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.69OMRΒ 0.65
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.28OMRΒ 0.49
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.11OMRΒ 0.81
-
Eggs
-
$1.95OMRΒ 0.75
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$6.92OMRΒ 2.66
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.57OMRΒ 1.76
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$8.90OMRΒ 3.43
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.13OMRΒ 0.82
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.11OMRΒ 0.43
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.61OMRΒ 0.62
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.20OMRΒ 0.46
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.14OMRΒ 0.44
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$0.78OMRΒ 0.30
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.54OMRΒ 0.21
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.58OMRΒ 0.22
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$5.75OMRΒ 2.21
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$19.58OMRΒ 7.54
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$3.88OMRΒ 1.49
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.65OMRΒ 1.79
-
π Getting Around
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.31OMRΒ 0.51
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$55.7OMRΒ 21.44
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.25OMRΒ 0.87
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.27OMRΒ 0.49
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$11.58OMRΒ 4.46
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.60OMRΒ 0.23
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$20.9KOMRΒ 8,064
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$18.0KOMRΒ 6,917
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$65.8OMRΒ 25.32
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$49.61OMRΒ 19.10
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$76.6OMRΒ 29.48
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$79.5OMRΒ 30.60
$93.7OMRΒ 36.09
-15.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$26.21OMRΒ 10.09
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$7.93OMRΒ 3.05
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316OMRΒ 122
$111OMRΒ 42.88
183.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$2,377OMRΒ 915
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$27.90OMRΒ 10.74
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$31.60OMRΒ 12.17
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$64.5OMRΒ 24.82
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$43.98OMRΒ 16.93
-
π Accommodation & Living
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$255OMRΒ 98.1
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$215OMRΒ 82.8
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$492OMRΒ 189
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$370OMRΒ 142
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,991OMRΒ 766
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,225OMRΒ 472
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Duqm
Salalah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,753OMRΒ 675
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
4.58
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Duqm: May 30, 2026
Last update for Salalah: June 1, 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
Duqm vs Salalah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salalah cheaper than Duqm?
Duqm is cheaper overall, especially in Sport & Entertainment, Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 1013% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $146 in Duqm and $1,629 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.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $316 in Duqm versus $111 in Salalah. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
What are total monthly expenses in Duqm vs Salalah?
All in, you'll spend $97.6 per month in Duqm versus $1,086 in Salalah β a 1013% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Duqm or Salalah?
At $97.6 in Duqm versus $1,086 in Salalah, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Duqm but tight or insufficient in Salalah. The gap between the two cities makes Duqm the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Duqm or Salalah?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Duqm or Salalah?
Safety-wise, Duqm 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 Duqm gentler on the wallet β expenses run 1013% less than in Salalah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.