Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwi and Nizwa

For one person, living is cheaper in Nizwa: $44.08 a month against $637 in Ruwi, rent and utilities included – about $7,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

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Ruwi

🇴🇲 Oman

$637

/mo nomad

Nizwa

🇴🇲 Oman

$44.08

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ruwi and in Nizwa

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 Nizwa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $637 in Ruwi versus $44 in Nizwa.

Ruwi $637
Nizwa $44

Estimated couple costs with rent: $830 in Ruwi versus $65 in Nizwa.

Ruwi $830
Nizwa $65

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,023 in Ruwi versus $86 in Nizwa.

Ruwi $1,023
Nizwa $86

Living in Ruwi is roughly 1344% more expensive than in Nizwa.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 53% lower, Nizwa 97% lower.

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

$1.06 OMR 0.41

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

White Bread (500g)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Eggs

$1.23 OMR 0.47

Local Cheese (1kg)

$1.96 OMR 0.75

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.98 OMR 0.76

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.87 OMR 1.87

Apples (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Oranges (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

Tomato (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.97 OMR 0.37

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

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

$25.58 OMR 9.85

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.8 OMR 29.94

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.77 OMR 14.92

Cinema Ticket

$9.35 OMR 3.60

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$394 OMR 152

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$397 OMR 153

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$897 OMR 345

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$579 OMR 223

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,466 OMR 1,719

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

Last update for Ruwi: October 20, 2026

Last update for Nizwa: October 19, 2026

Good to know

🇴🇲 Ruwi

🇴🇲 Nizwa

🕒 Local time

00:44 12:44 AM

Same time as Ruwi

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

700,000

💱 Currency

Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.

📈 Exchange rate

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.32 EUR

1 OMR = 2.6 USD

1 OMR = 2.32 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Ruwi Nizwa 130 km

From you

Ruwi
Nizwa

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 Nizwa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ruwi and Nizwa differ by about 1344% in total monthly costs ($637 vs $44 including rent). Nizwa is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You’d need roughly $955 in Ruwi and $66 in Nizwa 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, 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.