Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Ecuador

Oman
Based on our comparison, Cuenca wins 5 out of 8 categories.Muscat wins 3 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Cuenca and Muscat, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Cuenca
$819/mo
Best Internet
Muscat
120 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Muscat
8/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Cuenca if budget is your top priority, or Muscat if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Cuenca and Muscat for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Cuenca offers a more affordable lifestyle at $819/month compared to Muscat's $1,287/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Muscat provides faster connectivity at 120 Mbps compared to Cuenca's 80 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 8.1/10, Muscat offers better security than Cuenca (5.4/10).
Overall: Muscat's NomadIQ score of 8/10 gives it an edge for remote workers.
Cuenca is 36% cheaper than Muscat.
Muscat has a higher safety score (8.1/10) compared to Cuenca (5.4/10).
5.4/10
Cuenca
8.1/10
Muscat
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Muscat offers faster internet at 120 Mbps vs 80 Mbps.
80 Mbps
Cuenca
120 Mbps
Muscat
Based on our analysis, Cuenca edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.
Cuenca: Best for budget-conscious expats
Muscat: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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