Cost of Living Comparison Between Salalah and Shinas Cost of Living Comparison Between Salalah and Shinas

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,021 per month in Salalah vs $945 in Shinas, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,552 per month in Salalah vs $1,408 in Shinas, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,082 per month in Salalah vs $1,872 in Shinas, rent included.

Salalah costs about 8% more than Shinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Salalah and Shinas are more affordable than the global median – Salalah 26% lower, Shinas 31% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.35 OMR 2.06

$5.18 OMR 2.00

3.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.78 OMR 9.92

$34.11 OMR 13.13

-24.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.89 OMR 4.96

$7.88 OMR 3.03

63.58%

Cappuccino

$6.11 OMR 2.35

$4.81 OMR 1.85

27.03%

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

$0.89 OMR 0.34

$0.91 OMR 0.35

-2.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 OMR 0.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.85 OMR 3.41

$13.22 OMR 5.09

-33.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.60 OMR 4.08

$12.93 OMR 4.98

-18.02%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 OMR 0.73

$2.24 OMR 0.86

-15.63%

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 OMR 0.48

$1.25 OMR 0.48

-0.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.66 OMR 1.02

$1.85 OMR 0.71

43.78%

Eggs

$2.89 OMR 1.11

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.55 OMR 1.75

$7.57 OMR 2.91

-39.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.73 OMR 1.82

$6.56 OMR 2.53

-27.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.60 OMR 4.08

Apples (1kg)

$1.91 OMR 0.74

$3.40 OMR 1.31

-43.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 OMR 0.69

$2.00 OMR 0.77

-10.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.10 OMR 0.81

$2.34 OMR 0.90

-10.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.78 OMR 0.69

$1.27 OMR 0.49

40.16%

Potato (1kg)

$1.49 OMR 0.57

$1.19 OMR 0.46

25.21%

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 OMR 0.39

$1.24 OMR 0.48

-18.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.10 OMR 0.42

$1.86 OMR 0.71

-40.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 OMR 0.20

$0.63 OMR 0.24

-19.05%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.01 OMR 2.31

$6.54 OMR 2.52

-8.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.50 OMR 7.51

$15.36 OMR 5.92

26.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.84 OMR 1.48

$5.69 OMR 2.19

-32.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.63 OMR 1.78

$8.81 OMR 3.39

-47.45%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.32 OMR 0.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.5 OMR 21.35

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.29 OMR 0.88

$3.33 OMR 1.28

-31.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 OMR 0.49

$2.66 OMR 1.02

-52.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.66 OMR 4.49

$7.88 OMR 3.03

47.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.61 OMR 0.23

$0.60 OMR 0.23

1.67%

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

$20.5K OMR 7,879

$25.2K OMR 9,699

-18.77%

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

$18.4K OMR 7,096

$22.3K OMR 8,594

-17.43%

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

$77.5 OMR 29.83

$169 OMR 65.1

-54.17%

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

$48.48 OMR 18.66

$31.37 OMR 12.08

54.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.3 OMR 28.21

$70.5 OMR 27.14

3.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.49 OMR 15.59

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.45 OMR 10.18

Cinema Ticket

$7.64 OMR 2.94

$10.22 OMR 3.93

-25.24%

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

$286 OMR 110

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,963 OMR 756

$10.5K OMR 4,050

-81.34%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.13 OMR 10.83

$57.0 OMR 21.95

-50.65%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.00 OMR 11.94

$43.68 OMR 16.82

-29.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$58.4 OMR 22.47

$92.1 OMR 35.44

-36.60%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$44.91 OMR 17.29

$97.0 OMR 37.34

-53.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$243 OMR 93.7

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$209 OMR 80.4

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$645 OMR 248

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$389 OMR 150

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,043 OMR 787

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,218 OMR 469

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,775 OMR 683

$3,067 OMR 1,181

-42.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.58

5.25

-12.76%

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

Last update for Salalah: September 5, 2026

Last update for Shinas: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 73% higher in Shinas, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Salalah versus $34.00 in Shinas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $201 vs $284 – making Salalah the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Shinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Salalah costs about 8% more than Shinas, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,532 per month in Salalah and $1,417 in Shinas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,021 in Salalah and $945 in Shinas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 41% cheaper in Salalah – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,021 in Salalah and $945 in Shinas, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Shinas – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Shinas. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salalah makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.