Merthyr Tydfil
Wales, UK
#1 in UK
65
Overall Score
VS
Moscow
Idaho, USA
#16 in USA
75
Overall Score
Moscow scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Merthyr Tydfil
Moscow
Livability
68
87
Affordability
80
55
Business
60
65
Growth
65
60

Cost of Living

Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 39% higher compared to Merthyr Tydfil. Housing costs are a major driver: Merthyr Tydfil's average rent is 44% lower than Moscow's.
MetricMerthyr TydfilMoscowDiff
Average Rent
$755$1,338-44%
Groceries
$400$00%
Utilities
$338$00%
Transport
$120$00%
Healthcare
$250$00%
Monthly Total
$1,863$1,338+39%
Cost Index
90111out of 100

Salary & Income

Moscow offers 64% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Merthyr Tydfil is estimated at $25,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
MetricMerthyr TydfilMoscow
Average Salary
$27,399$76,000
Salary Needed
$25,000$84,360
Purchasing Power
30,443 idx68,468 idx

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricMerthyr TydfilMoscow
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
86.00%%

Commute & Transport

Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Merthyr Tydfil. Merthyr Tydfil scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Merthyr Tydfil leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricMerthyr TydfilMoscow
Commute Time
28 min14 min
Transit Score
55.0/1045.0/10
Walkability
60.0/1048.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0040.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Merthyr Tydfil is the larger city — approximately 2.2x the population of Moscow. From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricMerthyr TydfilMoscow
Population
58,97226,286
Pop. Growth
0.07%0.80%
Median Age
41.025.7
Unemployment
3.50%3.00%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Merthyr Tydfil
Advantages
Merthyr Tydfil offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to the UK average, particularly in housing.
The town is situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, providing excellent access to outdoor recreational activities.
Merthyr Tydfil has a rich industrial heritage, offering a unique historical and cultural landscape.
The housing market is considered affordable for both renters and buyers, with competitive property prices and rents.
The tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, contributing to the local economy and job creation.
Drawbacks
Merthyr Tydfil has a higher crime rate than the UK national average, with specific areas experiencing higher incident levels.
Life expectancy in Merthyr Tydfil is lower than the Welsh average, and the region experiences high rates of mental illness and poor well-being.
A significant portion of the population has no formal qualifications, which can affect employment prospects and income levels.
The town faces challenges with deprivation in some areas, and has a higher proportion of older housing stock.
Public transport options are less extensive compared to larger urban centers, indicating a higher reliance on private vehicles.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Merthyr Tydfil
#1
Wales, UK
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$755
Avg Salary
$27,399
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.07%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
68
Business
60
View Full Profile
Moscow
#16
Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
View Full Profile

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