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: $493 in Ruwi versus $582 in Nizwa.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $753 in Ruwi versus $787 in Nizwa.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,013 in Ruwi versus $993 in Nizwa.

Living in Ruwi costs roughly 15% less than in Nizwa, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ruwi 63% lower, Nizwa 57% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.54 OMR 0.98

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.21 OMR 10.09

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.84 OMR 1.48

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

$0.87 OMR 0.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Milk (1 liter)

$1.97 OMR 0.76

$1.31 OMR 0.51

50.38%

White Bread (500g)

$2.01 OMR 0.77

$1.27 OMR 0.49

58.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.77 OMR 0.68

-42.37%

Eggs

$1.22 OMR 0.47

$2.13 OMR 0.82

-42.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.05 OMR 0.79

$3.83 OMR 1.47

-46.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.96 OMR 0.76

$8.02 OMR 3.09

-75.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.92 OMR 1.90

Apples (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

$2.06 OMR 0.79

-50.97%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 OMR 0.37

$1.28 OMR 0.49

-24.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$1.31 OMR 0.50

-25.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$1.32 OMR 0.51

-22.73%

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 OMR 0.38

$1.05 OMR 0.41

-5.71%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 OMR 0.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 OMR 0.38

$0.50 OMR 0.19

96.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 OMR 0.39

$0.82 OMR 0.31

24.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 OMR 0.23

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

$130 OMR 49.97

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

$26.00 OMR 10.01

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.2 OMR 29.71

$64.1 OMR 24.68

20.41%

Cinema Ticket

$9.25 OMR 3.56

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.2K OMR 5,080

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 OMR 151

$265 OMR 102

47.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$255 OMR 98.2

$204 OMR 78.6

24.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$920 OMR 354

$389 OMR 150

136.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$573 OMR 221

$264 OMR 102

116.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,566 OMR 988

$1,309 OMR 504

96.09%

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

Last update for Ruwi: June 2, 2026

Last update for Nizwa: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $391 in Ruwi and $265 in Nizwa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Ruwi pays 96% 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 18% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Ruwi pays 96% more on average, 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: $391 in Ruwi versus $265 in Nizwa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 18% higher in Nizwa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $493 per month in Ruwi versus $582 in Nizwa – a 18% 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 18% less than in Nizwa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.