Cost of Living Comparison Between Nizwa and Ruwi Cost of Living Comparison Between Nizwa and Ruwi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $580 in Nizwa versus $510 in Ruwi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $793 in Nizwa versus $774 in Ruwi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,007 in Nizwa versus $1,039 in Ruwi.

Living in Nizwa is roughly 14% more expensive than in Ruwi, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Nizwa 57% lower, Ruwi 62% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.66 OMR 1.02

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.58 OMR 9.84

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.99 OMR 1.54

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

$0.82 OMR 0.31

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 OMR 0.51

$2.02 OMR 0.78

-33.66%

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 OMR 0.51

$1.95 OMR 0.75

-31.79%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.79 OMR 0.69

$0.98 OMR 0.38

82.65%

Eggs

$2.23 OMR 0.86

$1.18 OMR 0.45

88.98%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.89 OMR 1.50

$2.05 OMR 0.79

89.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.72 OMR 2.97

$2.05 OMR 0.79

276.59%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.07 OMR 1.95

Apples (1kg)

$2.04 OMR 0.78

$0.99 OMR 0.38

106.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

$0.98 OMR 0.38

29.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 OMR 0.51

$1.02 OMR 0.39

30.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.32 OMR 0.51

$0.98 OMR 0.38

34.69%

Potato (1kg)

$1.07 OMR 0.41

$1.01 OMR 0.39

5.94%

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 OMR 0.21

$1.02 OMR 0.39

-47.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 OMR 0.29

$0.99 OMR 0.38

-24.24%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 OMR 0.24

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

$132 OMR 50.8

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

$25.58 OMR 9.84

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 OMR 25.21

$78.5 OMR 30.21

-16.58%

Cinema Ticket

$9.03 OMR 3.48

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K OMR 4,910

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$264 OMR 102

$387 OMR 149

-31.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$209 OMR 80.5

$255 OMR 98.1

-17.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$393 OMR 151

$900 OMR 346

-56.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$261 OMR 100

$582 OMR 224

-55.11%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,323 OMR 509

$4,481 OMR 1,724

-70.47%

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

Last update for Nizwa: July 11, 2026

Last update for Ruwi: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $264 in Nizwa and $387 in Ruwi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Ruwi pays 239% 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

Nizwa vs Ruwi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ruwi is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out. The 14% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

On paper, salaries run 239% lower in Ruwi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $264 in Nizwa versus $387 in Ruwi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Nizwa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $580 per month in Nizwa versus $510 in Ruwi – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Ruwi 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, Nizwa and Ruwi 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 Ruwi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Nizwa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.