Skyline of Salalah
Cost of Living: 95 400,000

Salalah, Oman

Oman's second-largest city in the south, famous for its monsoon season (Khareef), coconut groves, and frankincense.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Salalah is a city in Dhofar with a population of 400,000. Oman’s second-largest city in the south, famous for its monsoon season (Khareef), coconut groves, and frankincense. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 280 sunny days a year. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews young, with a median age of 30.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs Oman Avg (100)

Housing Index 105

Above Average

Median Income ﷼ 13,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Salalah vs Oman Average

Cost of Living
Salalah: 95
Oman Avg: 100
Housing Index
Salalah: 105
Oman Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 5.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ﷼ 13,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 400,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 65°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: ﷼120,000
  • 1BR Rent: ﷼350/mo

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Cost of Living

Salalah's cost of living index is 95 (Oman average = 100).

CategorySalalahNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing105100+5.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price﷼120,000
Median Rent (1BR)﷼350/mo
Median Rent (2BR)﷼438/mo
Price per Sq Ft﷼80

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

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%
$90,000 down
%
%
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Salalah:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity﷼20
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)﷼19Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water﷼10Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)﷼30Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities﷼79Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Salalah scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 95
Rent
— ﷼350
Sunny Days
— 280
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.5%
Climate
— 88°F / 65°F
Safety
— 0.3 homicides/100k
Population
— 400,000
Internet Speed
— 100 Mbps

Climate

Salalah has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January85°F65°F2.5"
April73°F80°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F83°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Salalah faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid country with extreme drought conditions.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat with temperatures frequently exceeding 45°C.

Cyclone High Risk

Significant cyclone risk.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Cyclone and flash floods.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 5%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Salalah per 100,000 residents:

12.0
Violent Crime
25.0
Property Crime
0.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year August to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Ramadan and Eid break (2-3 weeks)

Sunday to Thursday school week.

Demographics

The population of Salalah is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Omani (Arab)
55.0%
Other
10.0%
South Asian
35.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
20.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian
6.0%
Hindu
5.0%
Muslim
86.0%
Other
3.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: National Centre for Statistics and Information (2020)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Salalah, Oman?

The cost of living index in Salalah is 95, which is Lower the Oman national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Salalah?

The median home price in Salalah is ﷼120,000. The housing index is 105.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Salalah is approximately ﷼350/mo.

Does Salalah, DH have income tax?

Salalah is in DH, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Salalah?

Salalah enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 65°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.