Muscat ranked Asia’s best city for quality of life

MUSCAT: Muscat has been ranked among the world’s leading cities for quality of life, securing the top position in Asia in the Numbeo Mid-Year 2026 Quality of Life Index with a score of 180.3 points.
The global index, which evaluates key indicators including quality of life, cost of living, property investment and healthcare benchmarks, places Muscat ahead of several major GCC cities.
Manama followed with 171.9 points, while Doha (169.2), Abu Dhabi (169) and Dubai (168.7) also featured among the top-ranked cities globally.
Muscat also achieved a strong global position in environmental quality, ranking second in Asia and worldwide in the Pollution Index with a score of 35.9 points, behind only Singapore at 32.5 points.
The capital received high ratings for its air quality, drinking water quality and accessibility, waste disposal services, cleanliness, peaceful environment, night-time safety, green spaces and overall comfort for residents and visitors.
Oman also scored highly in the Safety Index, reflecting low levels of crime, strong public security and a high degree of confidence among residents.
The country was rated as a safe place for walking alone during both daytime and nighttime, with low concerns related to theft, assault and violent crime.
The index further highlighted Muscat’s efficient commuting conditions, with an average travel time of 22.25 minutes to cover 23.72 kilometres for work or school journeys.
The latest ranking reinforces Muscat’s growing reputation as a liveable city, combining safety, environmental quality, modern infrastructure and a high standard of living.