City Comparison
Bel Air South vs Rexburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rexburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
66% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
109% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $1,044 | +109% |
| Groceries | $400 | $262 | +53% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $1,886 | +66% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bel Air South offers 57% 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 $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Bel Air South.
Rexburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rexburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bel Air South is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South 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 | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Rexburg
Advantages
Low crime rates contribute to a high safety score and a family-friendly environment.
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing and daily expenses, compared to national averages.
Strong sense of community and family-oriented atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of BYU-Idaho.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with proximity to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Short average commute times, making daily travel more efficient.
Drawbacks
Limited nightlife and entertainment options, characteristic of a smaller, quieter town.
Harsh winters with significant snowfall and cold temperatures impact daily activities.
Housing market can be competitive, with desirable properties selling quickly.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transit options.
The median age is very low (21), indicating a strong student population which may influence the city's overall social dynamic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bel Air South
#119Maryland, USA
51.3 / 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
Rexburg
#90Idaho, USA
56.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
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