Side-by-side city decision # Muscat vs Arequipa. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MuscatOman2/6 VS ArequipaPeru3/6 $1,340Muscat monthly budget $825Arequipa monthly budget 110 MbpsMuscat internet 95 MbpsArequipa internet Decision summary Arequipa Arequipa leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Arequipa Speed Fastest internet Muscat Vibe Best nomad vibe Arequipa Safety Highest safety Muscat Air Cleanest air Tie Walk Most walkable Arequipa Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Muscat](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/oman/muscat.md) Oman 2/6 Budget$1,340 Internet110 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Arequipa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/arequipa.md) Peru 3/6 Budget$825 Internet95 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricMuscatArequipa Total estimated budget $1,340 $825 1-bed center rent $650 $410 Coworking desk $220 $130 Local meal $6.5 $3.8 Cappuccino $4.2 $2.4 Gym membership $55 $32 Transport budget $180 $35 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricMuscatArequipa Internet speed 110 Mbps 95 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricMuscatArequipa Safety index 81/100 54/100 Air quality 68/100 68/100 Walkability 4/10 8/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 2/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricMuscatArequipa Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Good Basic Climate type Hot desert High-altitude semi-arid Best time to visit Nov - Mar Apr - Nov Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Muscat](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/oman/muscat.md) Oman → ### Strengths * Very low violent-crime rate and a calm daily atmosphere * Reliable high-speed mobile and fixed internet * Excellent winter sunshine, beaches, wadis, and mountain trips * English is widely used in business, malls, and service settings * No personal income tax for most individuals under current rules * Modern roads, clean public spaces, and strong private healthcare ### Trade-offs * Summer heat and humidity can severely limit outdoor life * A car or regular taxi budget is usually necessary * Long-stay remote-work visa options are limited * Coworking and social scenes are smaller than in major nomad hubs * Alcohol is restricted to licensed venues and is expensive * Conservative laws and social norms are not LGBTQ-friendly ### Common visa routes * Tourist eVisa, commonly 30 days with an extension option depending on nationality * GCC resident visa for eligible foreign residents of GCC countries * Employer-sponsored work or residence visa for longer stays [Arequipa](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/peru/arequipa.md) Peru → ### Strengths * Very affordable rents and everyday dining * Sunny, dry climate for much of the year * Beautiful colonial architecture and volcano views * Walkable historic center with strong local character * Good value private healthcare and services * Excellent access to hiking and Colca Canyon trips ### Trade-offs * Cold nights due to the high elevation * Tap water is not safe to drink * English is limited outside tourism businesses * Traffic and driving standards can feel chaotic * Air quality can worsen with dust and vehicle emissions * Smaller remote-work community than Lima or Cusco ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry, typically up to 90 days at immigration discretion * Business visa for qualifying work-related travel * Resident visas through employment, family, study, or investment routes Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.