Performance
Score Breakdown
Al Mirfa
Cold Lake
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Al Mirfa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
58% lower compared to Cold Lake.
Housing costs are a major driver: Al Mirfa's average rent is
100% lower than Cold Lake's.
| Metric | Al Mirfa | Cold Lake | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,210 | -100% |
| Groceries | $450 | $321 | +40% |
| Utilities | $180 | $176 | +2% |
| Transport | $120 | $487 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $1,000 | $2,394 | -58% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cold Lake offers 100% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Al Mirfa is estimated at
$45,000 vs $40,000 in Cold Lake.
| Metric | Al Mirfa | Cold Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $46,347 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $40,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Al Mirfa | Cold Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Al Mirfa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Al Mirfa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Al Mirfa | Cold Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cold Lake is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Al Mirfa.
From a growth perspective, Cold Lake is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Al Mirfa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Al Mirfa | Cold Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 18,186 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.18% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | |
| Unemployment | 2.17% | 7.90% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Al Mirfa
Advantages
Al Mirfa offers a tranquil coastal lifestyle with pristine beaches and opportunities for water sports.
The town benefits from a well-connected road network, including the E11 highway, providing easy access to other parts of Abu Dhabi.
Key industries like fishing, oil & gas, and power generation provide stable employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy.
Al Mirfa is considered a safe and calm community, contributing to a high quality of life for residents.
Ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the Mirfa Beach Residential development and ADNOC's water project, indicate future growth and improved amenities.
Drawbacks
Compared to major cities like Abu Dhabi, Al Mirfa offers a slower pace of life and a more conservative environment, which may not appeal to everyone.
Specific and recent data for key economic and demographic metrics like median household income, average salary, and unemployment rate are not readily available.
Public transportation, while present, is not as extensive as in larger urban centers, leading to a medium car dependency.
Budget lodging options are limited, and specific average rent figures for residential properties are not consistently reported.
Entertainment and nightlife options are more subdued compared to major cities, focusing more on outdoor activities and cultural events.
Cold Lake
Advantages
Average salary in Cold Lake is 19.6% higher than the Canadian national average as of July 2026.
The city benefits from significant defence investment, including a $525M investment at CFB Cold Lake for a Military Fighter Squadron Facility.
Cold Lake Transit offers a free public bus service, enhancing local mobility for residents.
Recent reports from May 2026 indicate a significant downward trend in crime rates, with crimes against persons down 51% and property crimes down 53% year-over-year.
The city is actively pursuing commercial and residential growth, with ongoing planning for future development.
Drawbacks
Cold Lake's overall crime rates are 214% higher than the national average, and violent crimes are 145% higher, based on estimated data.
The regional unemployment rate for Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake was 7.9% in June 2026, which is higher than the national average.
The Cold Lake Healthcare Centre is experiencing chronic understaffing in its emergency room, leading to increased wait times and concerns about patient care as of August 2026.
The city has a low walk score of 28 out of 100, indicating it is a car-dependent neighborhood where most errands require a vehicle.
Limited bike infrastructure, with a bike score of 45, makes cycling challenging for daily errands.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Al Mirfa
#19Abu Dhabi, UAE
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
70
Business
55
Cold Lake
#24Alberta, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$46,347
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.18%
Unemployment
7.90%
Livability
72
Business
65
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