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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Living in Ruwi costs roughly 12% less than in Nizwa, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

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

$2.02 OMR 0.78

$1.34 OMR 0.51

50.75%

White Bread (500g)

$1.95 OMR 0.75

$1.33 OMR 0.51

46.62%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.79 OMR 0.69

-45.25%

Eggs

$1.18 OMR 0.45

$2.23 OMR 0.86

-47.09%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

$3.89 OMR 1.50

-47.30%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

$7.72 OMR 2.97

-73.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.07 OMR 1.95

Apples (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$2.04 OMR 0.78

-51.47%

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.27 OMR 0.49

-22.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.33 OMR 0.51

-23.31%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.32 OMR 0.51

-25.76%

Potato (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

$1.07 OMR 0.41

-5.61%

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 OMR 0.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$0.54 OMR 0.21

88.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$0.75 OMR 0.29

32.00%

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)

$78.5 OMR 30.21

$65.5 OMR 25.21

19.88%

Cinema Ticket

$9.03 OMR 3.48

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K OMR 4,910

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$387 OMR 149

$264 OMR 102

46.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$255 OMR 98.1

$209 OMR 80.5

21.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$900 OMR 346

$393 OMR 151

128.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$582 OMR 224

$261 OMR 100

122.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,481 OMR 1,724

$1,323 OMR 509

238.64%

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

Last update for Ruwi: July 13, 2026

Last update for Nizwa: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $387 in Ruwi and $264 in Nizwa. 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

Ruwi vs Nizwa: 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.

Average pay runs 239% higher in Ruwi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $387 in Ruwi versus $264 in Nizwa. 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 $510 per month in Ruwi versus $580 in Nizwa – 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, Ruwi and Nizwa 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.