Rustaq vs Sohar
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Rustaq leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Sohar where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Sohar's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Rustaq | Sohar |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 62 | 54 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 50 | 50 |
| Climate | 71 | 50 |
| Safety | 65 | 60 |
| Summer °C | 29.8 | 34.0 |
| Winter °C | 14.5 | 19.6 |
| Top disaster risk | drought | drought |
Rustaq vs Sohar: the short answer
Rustaq comes out ahead on overall livability (62/100), clearly above Sohar (54/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Sohar is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Rustaq 50 vs Sohar 50, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Sohar runs warmer in summer (about 34.0°C peak vs 29.8°C in Rustaq), while winter lows sit near 14.5°C in Rustaq and 19.6°C in Sohar. On natural-disaster exposure Rustaq is the safer choice (safety 65/100); the dominant modelled hazard is drought for Rustaq and drought for Sohar.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Sohar — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Sohar — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Rustaq — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Rustaq — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Rustaq or Sohar better to live in?
Rustaq scores higher overall — 62 vs 54 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Rustaq or Sohar?
Sohar has the lower cost of living (cost index 50 vs 50; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Rustaq or Sohar?
Sohar — summer highs reach about 34.0°C versus 29.8°C in Rustaq.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Rustaq or Sohar?
Rustaq (disaster-safety 65/100). Main hazard: drought in Rustaq, drought in Sohar.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Rustaq?
drought is the dominant modelled hazard for Rustaq on our risk index.
How is the Rustaq vs Sohar comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.