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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,465 in Sohar versus $46.33 in Al-qabil.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,123 in Sohar versus $70.0 in Al-qabil.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,781 in Sohar versus $94.5 in Al-qabil.

Living in Sohar is roughly 3062% more expensive than Al-qabil, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Sohar is 9% above, Al-qabil is 97% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.59 OMR 2.54
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.13 OMR 8.13
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.32 OMR 3.59
-
-
Cappuccino
$6.61 OMR 2.54
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 OMR 0.25
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 OMR 0.10
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$13.24 OMR 5.09
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$14.02 OMR 5.39
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 OMR 0.86
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.05 OMR 0.40
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.34 OMR 1.29
-
-
Eggs
$2.71 OMR 1.04
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.49 OMR 5.19
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.31 OMR 3.58
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.08 OMR 5.42
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$3.37 OMR 1.30
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$2.18 OMR 0.84
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.45 OMR 0.94
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.23 OMR 0.47
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.74 OMR 0.67
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.85 OMR 0.71
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 OMR 0.66
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.00 OMR 0.38
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.10 OMR 2.35
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$25.61 OMR 9.86
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.80 OMR 1.46
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.53 OMR 3.28
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.64 OMR 1.02
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.3 OMR 20.14
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.28 OMR 1.26
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 OMR 0.58
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.27 OMR 3.95
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.64 OMR 0.25
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K OMR 7,146
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K OMR 7,802
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$102 OMR 39.13
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.69 OMR 11.04
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$86.5 OMR 33.28
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.8 OMR 19.93
$26.31 OMR 10.13
96.81%
Cinema Ticket
$11.49 OMR 4.42
$10.51 OMR 4.05
9.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$274 OMR 106
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,125 OMR 2,742
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.1 OMR 20.06
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.51 OMR 16.75
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.6 OMR 30.65
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.34 OMR 18.22
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$499 OMR 192
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$391 OMR 150
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$750 OMR 289
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$678 OMR 261
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,172 OMR 451
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$787 OMR 303
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sohar
Al-qabil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,460 OMR 947
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.62
0
-

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

Last update for Sohar: June 6, 2026

Last update for Al-qabil: June 8, 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
Sohar vs Al-qabil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al-qabil cheaper than Sohar?
Al-qabil is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 3062% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,198 in Sohar and $69.5 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.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Sohar or Al-qabil?
At $46.33 in Al-qabil versus $1,465 in Sohar, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al-qabil but tight or insufficient in Sohar. The gap between the two cities makes Al-qabil the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Sohar or Al-qabil?
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.
Which city is safer, Sohar or Al-qabil?
Safety-wise, Sohar 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al-qabil gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3062% less than in Sohar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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