Cost of Living Comparison Between Salalah and Al-qabil Cost of Living Comparison Between Salalah and Al-qabil

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,111 in Salalah versus $46.66 in Al-qabil.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,643 in Salalah versus $70.0 in Al-qabil.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,175 in Salalah versus $94.1 in Al-qabil.

Living in Salalah is roughly 2280% more expensive than Al-qabil, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Salalah 17% lower, Al-qabil 97% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.22 OMR 2.00

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.83 OMR 9.92

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.07 OMR 5.02

Cappuccino

$6.04 OMR 2.32

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

$0.67 OMR 0.26

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 OMR 0.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.22 OMR 3.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.60 OMR 4.07

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 OMR 0.66

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 OMR 0.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 OMR 0.81

Eggs

$1.96 OMR 0.75

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.72 OMR 2.58

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.59 OMR 1.76

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.26 OMR 3.56

Apples (1kg)

$2.14 OMR 0.82

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 OMR 0.42

Oranges (1kg)

$1.58 OMR 0.60

Tomato (1kg)

$1.16 OMR 0.44

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 OMR 0.44

Onion (1kg)

$0.84 OMR 0.32

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.53 OMR 0.20

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 OMR 0.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.68 OMR 2.18

Wine (Bottle)

$19.62 OMR 7.53

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.01 OMR 1.54

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)

$53.8 OMR 20.65

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.21 OMR 0.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.28 OMR 0.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.76 OMR 4.52

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 OMR 0.23

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

$20.7K OMR 7,952

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

$18.2K OMR 6,994

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

$64.4 OMR 24.71

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

$49.60 OMR 19.05

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.5 OMR 29.75

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$94.7 OMR 36.37

$26.08 OMR 10.02

263.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.51 OMR 10.18

Cinema Ticket

$7.66 OMR 2.94

$10.33 OMR 3.97

-25.85%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$111 OMR 42.80

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,402 OMR 922

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.22 OMR 10.45

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.71 OMR 12.17

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$63.3 OMR 24.29

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$43.40 OMR 16.66

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$253 OMR 97.3

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$209 OMR 80.4

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$502 OMR 193

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 OMR 144

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,015 OMR 774

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,232 OMR 473

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,743 OMR 669

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 Salalah: April 28, 2026

Last update for Al-qabil: April 27, 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

Salalah vs Al-qabil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-qabil is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear. The 2280% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,666 in Salalah and $70.0 in Al-qabil 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 Al-qabil 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, Salalah and Al-qabil 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 Al-qabil gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2280% less than in Salalah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.