For one person, living costs in Salalah are estimated at $1,055 a month, including rent and utilities – 26% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Salalah actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $1,055 per month with rent, or $773 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,055 /mo
A couple spends around $1,587 per month with rent, or $1,213 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,587 /mo
A family of three spends around $2,118 per month with rent, or $1,653 without housing.
$2,118 /mo
📊
Overall, Salalah is 22–25% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are close to average – just 0% lower.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KOMR 8,112
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.3KOMR 7,061
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.6OMR 29.89
$77.6OMR 29.89
$77.6OMR 29.89
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.92OMR 18.84
$15.62OMR 6.01
$65.1OMR 25.04
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.7OMR 28.39
$64.3OMR 24.76
$79.7OMR 30.70
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.07OMR 15.04
$25.57OMR 9.85
$53.3OMR 20.51
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.08OMR 10.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67OMR 2.95
$6.39OMR 2.46
$7.67OMR 2.95
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$105OMR 40.24
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,925OMR 741
$1,540OMR 593
$2,310OMR 889
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.01OMR 11.17
$26.38OMR 10.16
$31.65OMR 12.19
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.47OMR 12.12
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.0OMR 22.69
$39.29OMR 15.13
$78.6OMR 30.26
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.02OMR 17.72
$26.30OMR 10.12
$65.7OMR 25.31
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$244OMR 94.1
$219OMR 84.2
$257OMR 99.0
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$205OMR 79.0
$205OMR 79.0
$205OMR 79.0
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$626OMR 241
$463OMR 178
$771OMR 297
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$387OMR 149
$310OMR 119
$464OMR 179
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,999OMR 770
$1,225OMR 472
$2,451OMR 944
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,203OMR 463
$794OMR 306
$1,536OMR 591
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,769OMR 681
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.58
3
6
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 11, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Salalah$1,055
Salalah$2,118
🛒Groceries & Markets
$231 21.9%
🍽Eating Out
$222 21%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$205 19.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$200 19%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$74 7.1%
🚌Getting Around
$69 6.5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$54 5.2%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$493 23.3%
🍽Eating Out
$549 25.9%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$387 18.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$249 11.8%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$165 7.8%
🚌Getting Around
$140 6.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$135 6.4%
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $244, dropping to $205 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 14% of the average salary ($1,769) – close to the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $1,769 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,055. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,583.
🛒Groceries cost around $231 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $26.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.
🚌A monthly public transport pass costs about $54.8 – above the Asian average of $33.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Salalah has the 8th most expensive cappuccino in Asia
⭐Internet is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia
⭐Local beer is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Cost of Living in Salalah - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Salalah compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Salalah offers a calmer pace and solid value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want quality without the price tag of bigger Gulf cities. The Cost of Living in Salalah, Oman tends to be friendlier for daily groceries, local meals, and housing outside peak tourist seasons, while some imported goods and Western services can run higher. Seasonality matters: Khareef tourism nudges prices upward in busy months, then settles back as crowds thin. You can stretch a budget with longer stays, flexible housing, and choosing local eateries that deliver good meals at modest prices. Tip: Test neighborhoods in person and look for short-term leases before committing.
What does daily life look like in Salalah in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
Daily life in Salalah blends coastal vibes with practical needs. Housing search often centers on modern apartments in central districts or quieter coastal pockets, where rents reflect size and proximity to amenities. Food options run from bustling souqs to seafood stalls and international supermarkets; local meals stretch your budget further. Transport leans car-dependent, with taxis and ride-hailing for short trips; many digital nomads prefer a bike or scooter for close errands. Co-working spaces cater to varied schedules and network opportunities. Salalah, Oman living cost shifts with the Khareef season, so plan around peak travel times. Tip: Track monthly utilities and internet as you compare options.
What factors influence quality of life in Salalah and how can you budget effectively while considering seasonality and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Salalah blends outdoor access with practical routines that suit many budgets. A simple budgeting framework helps you plan: fix core costs (housing, utilities, local groceries) first, then allocate for health, transportation, and occasional treats. Neighborhood fit matters: coast-facing areas offer easy walks and sea air, inland quarters may offer calmer streets and lower rents, and proximity to markets or coworking hubs influences daily routines. Seasonal shifts matter for clothing and energy bills; Khareef rain can reduce cooling needs while dry months demand strong AC usage. Save along the edges – buy in-season produce, join a community gym or shared workspace, and use shorter trips over long drives. Tip: build a 3-month safety net for travel.
What is the average cost of living in Salalah in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Salalah should plan on about $1,055 per month with rent, or $773 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Salalah worth the cost of living?
Salalah is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,055. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Salalah?
You'll want at least $1,583 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Salalah. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How much is rent in Salalah?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Salalah runs about $244 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $205. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is food expensive in Salalah?
Grocery spending in Salalah lands around $231 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much is public transport in Salalah?
Getting around Salalah by public transport costs about $54.8 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Salalah?
$1,000 is below the $1,055 average in Salalah, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Salalah good for digital nomads?
Digital nomads flock to Salalah for good reason: low crime rates, clean air, family-friendly facilities. Monthly costs land around $1,055 depending on your setup – strong value for the connectivity and quality of life you get. Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafés round out the appeal.
How affordable is Salalah?
Salalah is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,055, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Is Salalah good for backpackers?
Salalah is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,055, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.