Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Montes Claros
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montes Claros is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
273% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
619% higher than Montes Claros's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Montes Claros | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $304 | +619% |
| Groceries | $400 | $344 | +16% |
| Utilities | $220 | $67 | +228% |
| Transport | $180 | $52 | +246% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $75 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $842 | +273% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 63 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bel Air South offers 15220% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bel Air South delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bel Air South is estimated at
$65,000 vs $10,200 in Montes Claros.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $406 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $10,200 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 644 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $4,872 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Montes Claros has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
15,500 minutes (258 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
Bel Air South scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bel Air South leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montes Claros is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Bel Air South.
From a growth perspective, Montes Claros is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Montes Claros |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 443,380 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 1.32% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $2.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
Montes Claros
Advantages
Montes Claros is classified as the 5th city in Minas Gerais with the best quality of life, scoring 68.79 in the IPS Brasil 2024 index.
The city's cost of living is approximately 37% lower than the global median, making it highly affordable.
The pharmaceutical industry is a strong growth sector, attracting significant investments and creating jobs.
Montes Claros has a robust entrepreneurial climate, ranking among the top cities in Brazil for business due to high diversification and growth.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with major hospitals, including Santa Casa Montes Claros, recognized for its quality.
Drawbacks
Despite a decrease in violent crimes and homicides, robberies in Montes Claros increased by 20% between 2019 and 2024.
The average monthly net salary in Montes Claros is relatively low at $406, which is below the national GDP per capita.
The city faces challenges in business survival and density, indicating potential difficulties for new enterprises.
Montes Claros experienced difficulties with pediatric bed availability in 2024, highlighting a strain on healthcare resources.
Specific data on median age and comprehensive public transit/walkability scores are not readily available for recent years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bel Air South
#72Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
Montes Claros
#5Minas Gerais, Brazil
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$304
Avg Salary
$406
Cost Index
63
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
69
Business
75
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