Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwi and Duqm

For one person, living is cheaper in Duqm: $310 a month against $639 in Ruwi, rent and utilities included – about $3,900 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Ruwi outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

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Ruwi

🇴🇲 Oman

$639

/mo nomad

Duqm

🇴🇲 Oman

$310

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ruwi and in Duqm

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ruwi and in Duqm actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $639 in Ruwi versus $310 in Duqm.

Ruwi $639
Duqm $310

Estimated couple costs with rent: $833 in Ruwi versus $510 in Duqm.

Ruwi $833
Duqm $510

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,028 in Ruwi versus $710 in Duqm.

Ruwi $1,028
Duqm $710

Living in Ruwi is roughly 106% more expensive than in Duqm, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 53% lower, Duqm 77% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.01 OMR 1.93

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.12 OMR 5.05

Cappuccino

$2.41 OMR 0.93

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

$0.51 OMR 0.20

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 OMR 0.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.98 OMR 3.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.09 OMR 5.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.99 OMR 0.77

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$2.68 OMR 1.03

-63.06%

Eggs

$1.17 OMR 0.45

$2.82 OMR 1.09

-58.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.03 OMR 0.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

$5.18 OMR 1.99

-60.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.93 OMR 1.90

Apples (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$3.42 OMR 1.32

-71.35%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Onion (1kg)

$0.80 OMR 0.31

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$0.18 OMR 0.07

466.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$13.04 OMR 5.02

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

$25.53 OMR 9.83

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$79.3 OMR 30.55

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.2 OMR 29.74

Cinema Ticket

$8.97 OMR 3.45

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$396 OMR 152

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$397 OMR 153

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$901 OMR 347

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$581 OMR 224

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,398 OMR 1,693

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

Last update for Ruwi: October 12, 2026

Last update for Duqm: October 10, 2026

Good to know

🇴🇲 Ruwi

🇴🇲 Duqm

🕒 Local time

12:41 12:41 PM

Same time as Ruwi

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

12,000

💱 Currency

Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.

📈 Exchange rate

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.31 EUR

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.31 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Ruwi Duqm 450 km

From you

Ruwi
Duqm

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Ruwi vs Duqm: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Duqm is cheaper overall, especially in groceries and utilities. The 106% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $958 in Ruwi and $466 in Duqm 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 25% higher in Ruwi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $639 per month in Ruwi versus $310 in Duqm – a 106% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Duqm 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, Ruwi and Duqm 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 Duqm gentler on the wallet – expenses run 106% less than in Ruwi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.