Cost of Living Comparison Between Salalah and SurCost of Living Comparison Between Salalah and Sur
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $1,086 per month in Salalah vs $1,105 in Sur, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,648 per month in Salalah vs $1,581 in Sur, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,209 per month in Salalah vs $2,056 in Sur, rent included.
🙂Salalah is about 2% cheaper than Sur, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Salalah and Sur are more affordable than the global median – Salalah19% lower, Sur18% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.35OMR 2.06
$3.86OMR 1.49
38.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.28OMR 10.12
$25.74OMR 9.91
2.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.82OMR 4.93
$7.74OMR 2.98
65.63%
Cappuccino
$6.01OMR 2.32
$4.85OMR 1.87
23.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64OMR 0.25
$0.72OMR 0.28
-11.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25OMR 0.10
$0.27OMR 0.10
-7.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$9.21OMR 3.55
$12.16OMR 4.68
-24.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.59OMR 4.08
$11.80OMR 4.54
-10.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69OMR 0.65
$1.58OMR 0.61
6.96%
White Bread(500g)
$1.28OMR 0.49
$1.22OMR 0.47
4.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.11OMR 0.81
$1.74OMR 0.67
21.26%
Eggs
$1.95OMR 0.75
$2.03OMR 0.78
-3.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.92OMR 2.66
$3.82OMR 1.47
81.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.57OMR 1.76
$5.04OMR 1.94
-9.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.90OMR 3.43
$8.29OMR 3.19
7.36%
Apples(1kg)
$2.13OMR 0.82
$2.37OMR 0.91
-10.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11OMR 0.43
$1.32OMR 0.51
-15.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61OMR 0.62
$1.06OMR 0.41
51.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20OMR 0.46
$0.75OMR 0.29
60.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.14OMR 0.44
$0.77OMR 0.29
48.05%
Onion(1kg)
$0.78OMR 0.30
$0.54OMR 0.21
44.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.54OMR 0.21
$1.03OMR 0.40
-47.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58OMR 0.22
$0.54OMR 0.21
7.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.75OMR 2.21
$6.36OMR 2.45
-9.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.58OMR 7.54
$15.81OMR 6.09
23.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.88OMR 1.49
$4.32OMR 1.66
-10.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65OMR 1.79
$7.90OMR 3.04
-41.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Salalah
Sur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.31OMR 0.51
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$55.7OMR 21.44
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.25OMR 0.87
$3.16OMR 1.22
-28.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.27OMR 0.49
$0.80OMR 0.31
58.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.58OMR 4.46
$10.55OMR 4.06
9.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60OMR 0.23
$0.58OMR 0.22
3.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9KOMR 8,064
$23.3KOMR 8,953
-9.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.0KOMR 6,917
$21.4KOMR 8,231
-15.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.8OMR 25.32
$79.8OMR 30.73
-17.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.61OMR 19.10
$23.22OMR 8.94
113.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.6OMR 29.48
$70.3OMR 27.05
9.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$93.7OMR 36.09
$86.1OMR 33.13
8.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.21OMR 10.09
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.93OMR 3.05
$10.47OMR 4.03
-24.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$111OMR 42.88
$195OMR 75.0
-42.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,377OMR 915
$6,463OMR 2,488
-63.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.90OMR 10.74
$51.0OMR 19.63
-45.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.60OMR 12.17
$39.75OMR 15.30
-20.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.5OMR 24.82
$78.1OMR 30.05
-17.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.98OMR 16.93
$87.6OMR 33.73
-49.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Salalah
Sur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255OMR 98.1
$258OMR 99.2
-1.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$215OMR 82.8
$265OMR 102
-18.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$492OMR 189
$468OMR 180
5.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$370OMR 142
$391OMR 150
-5.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,991OMR 766
$571OMR 220
248.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,225OMR 472
$522OMR 201
134.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Salalah
Sur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,753OMR 675
$2,659OMR 1,024
-34.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.58
5.15
-11.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Salalah: June 1, 2026
Last update for Sur: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $255 in Salalah versus $258 in Sur. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 52% higher in Sur, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Salalah versus $26.00 in Sur. Groceries tell a different story – $228 in Salalah vs $215 in Sur – so Sur wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Sur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Salalah or Sur?
Sur costs about 2% more than Salalah, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Salalah vs Sur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,629 per month in Salalah and $1,658 in Sur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Salalah or Sur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Salalah, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Salalah compared to Sur?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,086 in Salalah and $1,105 in Sur. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Salalah and Sur?
Kindergarten costs $111 per month in Salalah and $195 in Sur. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Salalah or Sur?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Salalah, where all-in costs run around $1,086, than in Sur at $1,105. In Salalah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sur it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Salalah – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Salalah compared to Sur?
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.
Should I move to Salalah or Sur?
If budget matters most, go with Salalah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sur makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.