Cost of Living Comparison Between Nizwa and Salalah Cost of Living Comparison Between Nizwa and Salalah

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $44.58 in Nizwa versus $1,021 in Salalah.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $65.0 in Nizwa versus $1,552 in Salalah.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $84.9 in Nizwa versus $2,082 in Salalah.

Living in Nizwa costs roughly 96% less than in Salalah, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Nizwa 97% lower, Salalah 26% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.35 OMR 2.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.78 OMR 9.92

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.89 OMR 4.96

Cappuccino

$6.11 OMR 2.35

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

$1.05 OMR 0.41

$0.89 OMR 0.34

17.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.85 OMR 3.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.60 OMR 4.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 OMR 0.73

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 OMR 0.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.66 OMR 1.02

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.55 OMR 1.75

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.73 OMR 1.82

Apples (1kg)

$1.91 OMR 0.74

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 OMR 0.69

Oranges (1kg)

$2.10 OMR 0.81

Tomato (1kg)

$1.78 OMR 0.69

Potato (1kg)

$1.49 OMR 0.57

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.10 OMR 0.42

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 OMR 0.20

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.01 OMR 2.31

Wine (Bottle)

$19.50 OMR 7.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.84 OMR 1.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.63 OMR 1.78

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.32 OMR 0.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.5 OMR 21.35

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.29 OMR 0.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.66 OMR 4.49

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.61 OMR 0.23

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

$20.5K OMR 7,879

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

$18.4K OMR 7,096

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

$77.5 OMR 29.83

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

$48.48 OMR 18.66

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.3 OMR 28.21

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.15 OMR 15.07

$40.49 OMR 15.59

-3.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.45 OMR 10.18

Cinema Ticket

$7.64 OMR 2.94

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,963 OMR 756

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.13 OMR 10.83

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.00 OMR 11.94

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$58.4 OMR 22.47

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$44.91 OMR 17.29

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$243 OMR 93.7

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$209 OMR 80.4

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$645 OMR 248

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$389 OMR 150

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,043 OMR 787

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,218 OMR 469

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,775 OMR 683

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 Nizwa: September 7, 2026

Last update for Salalah: September 5, 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

Nizwa vs Salalah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Nizwa is cheaper overall, especially in Sport & Entertainment, Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 2191% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $66.9 in Nizwa and $1,532 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.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Nizwa 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 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 Nizwa gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2191% less than in Salalah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.