City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Anshan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anshan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Anshan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Anshan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
39% lower than in Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
87% higher than Anshan's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Anshan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $241 | +87% |
| Groceries | $250 | $152 | +64% |
| Utilities | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Transport | $80 | $50 | +60% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $50 | +140% |
| Monthly Total | $1,010 | $618 | +63% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 35 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bethlehem offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anshan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bethlehem is estimated at
$11,000 vs $8,700 in Anshan.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Anshan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $11,208 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $8,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,111 idx | 32,023 idx |
| Household Income | $16,800 | $11,088 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bethlehem runs warmer on average — a 58.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Anshan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 61.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bethlehem has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Anshan.
Anshan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anshan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Anshan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anshan is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anshan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Anshan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,000 | 1,531,601 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.56% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 32.0 |
| Unemployment | 33.50% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bethlehem
Advantages
Housing and rental costs are significantly lower than South Africa's major metropolitan areas per Numbeo and local property data.
Strategic location along major transport corridors like the N5 highway facilitates regional connectivity.
Proximity to scenic natural attractions including the eastern Free State highlands and Golden Gate National Park.
A strong agricultural and commercial base providing stable local economic support.
Lower traffic congestion and a quieter, family-oriented pace of life compared to big cities.
Drawbacks
National challenges with municipal service delivery and infrastructure maintenance impact local operations.
Limited high-tech and corporate job diversification outside of agriculture, retail, and public administration.
Higher reliance on personal vehicles due to limited formalized public transit options.
Susceptibility to broader national economic pressures and high regional unemployment rates.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
Anshan
Advantages
Anshan boasts a significantly low cost of living, with monthly expenses for a single person around $622 including rent, making it highly affordable compared to global averages.
The city is a major industrial powerhouse, particularly in steel production, with Ansteel being a global leader, providing substantial employment opportunities.
Anshan is exceptionally rich in mineral resources, including vast reserves of iron ore, magnesite, talcum, and jade, supporting a strong mining sector.
The city has been recognized for its urban quality, holding titles such as Nationally Recognized Civilized City, Clean City, Forest City, and Garden City.
Public transportation is very economical, with a monthly pass costing approximately $17.57, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
The prefecture-level city experienced a population decrease between 2010 and 2020, indicating potential demographic challenges.
The average monthly net salary of around $934 is lower than the national GDP per capita, suggesting relatively modest income levels.
Anshan's climate features hot, humid summers and cold, arid winters, which might not appeal to everyone.
Specific, up-to-date data for certain city metrics like unemployment rate and detailed economic growth figures are not readily available, making comprehensive analysis challenging.
While efforts are made to reduce pollution, the heavy industrial focus of the city could still pose environmental considerations.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bethlehem
#19Free State, South Africa
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
58.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
33.50%
Livability
68
Business
55
Anshan
#24Liaoning, China
66.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$241
Avg Salary
$11,208
Cost Index
35
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.56%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
68
Business
60
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