City Comparison Data & Resources
We track 200+ data points across 12 categories for every city in our database. Here's exactly what we measure and why it matters for your relocation decision.
What We Measure
Economics
Our economics score captures the financial landscape of each city, helping you understand how far your money goes and what earning potential looks like.
- •Cost of Living Index: normalized monthly expenses for housing, food, transport, and utilities
- •Average Rent: median one-bedroom apartment in the city center
- •GDP Per Capita: economic output per person, indicating overall prosperity
- •Tax Rates: effective income tax brackets for residents and remote workers
- •Purchasing Power Parity: what your salary actually buys relative to local prices
- •Average Salary Ranges: typical compensation for tech, finance, and service roles
Safety
Safety scores reflect both personal security and broader stability factors that affect daily life and long-term livability.
- •Crime Index: aggregated violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents
- •Political Stability: governance quality, rule of law, and institutional strength
- •Natural Disaster Risk: exposure to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires
- •Terrorism Threat Level: assessed risk from international security databases
- •Road Safety Statistics: traffic fatality rates and infrastructure quality for pedestrians and cyclists
Healthcare
Healthcare scores evaluate the quality, accessibility, and affordability of medical services. Critical for expats and long-term residents.
- •Hospital Density: number of hospitals and clinics per 100,000 people
- •Insurance Costs: average monthly premiums for comprehensive health coverage
- •Life Expectancy: population-level health outcome indicator
- •Mental Health Resources: availability of therapists, counselors, and support networks
- •Healthcare Quality Index: WHO and Numbeo composite quality ratings
Internet & Infrastructure
For digital nomads and remote workers, connectivity and infrastructure are non-negotiable. This score measures the tech backbone of each city.
- •Download/Upload Speeds: median broadband and mobile data speeds (Mbps)
- •5G Coverage: percentage of urban area with 5G network availability
- •Coworking Density: number of coworking spaces per square kilometer
- •Public Transport Quality: reliability, coverage, and cost of metro, bus, and rail systems
- •Airport Connectivity: number of direct international routes and flight frequency
Climate & Quality of Life
Beyond weather, this category captures the environmental and cultural factors that shape your daily experience in a city.
- •Temperature Averages: mean highs and lows across seasons with comfort index
- •Air Quality Index: PM2.5 levels and WHO compliance ratings
- •Green Space Percentage: parks, gardens, and natural areas as share of city area
- •Cultural Offerings: museums, galleries, live music venues, and festivals per capita
- •Expat Community Size: estimated international resident population and community groups
Glossary of Terms
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
A metric that compares the relative value of currencies by measuring how much a standardized basket of goods costs in different locations. A higher PPP means your money stretches further.
Crime Index
A composite score aggregating reported violent crimes, property crimes, and public safety incidents per 100,000 residents. Lower values indicate safer cities.
Cost of Living Index
A normalized score comparing the total monthly cost of housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, and entertainment against a global baseline (New York = 100).
Healthcare Quality Index
A composite rating from the WHO, Numbeo, and local health ministry data that evaluates hospital infrastructure, wait times, staff competence, and patient satisfaction.
5G Coverage Score
The percentage of a city's urban area covered by 5G networks, weighted by average connection speeds and carrier availability.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
A standardized measurement of airborne pollutants including PM2.5, PM10, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. Scores below 50 are considered healthy; above 150 is unhealthy.
Ready to Compare?
Use our interactive comparison tool to pit any two cities head-to-head, or explore our methodology and FAQ for deeper insights.