City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Keelung
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Keelung scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Keelung
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bethlehem is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
64% lower than in Keelung.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
75% lower than Keelung's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Keelung | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,800 | -75% |
| Groceries | $250 | $450 | -44% |
| Utilities | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $1,010 | $2,800 | -64% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bethlehem offers 465% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bethlehem delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bethlehem is estimated at
$11,000 vs $55,000 in Keelung.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Keelung |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $2,477 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,111 idx | 2,607 idx |
| Household Income | $16,800 | $62,000 |
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 | Keelung |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 77.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bethlehem has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Keelung.
Keelung scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Keelung leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Keelung |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Keelung is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Bethlehem.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Keelung has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Keelung |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,000 | 358,304 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 33.50% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Keelung
Advantages
Keelung offers a more affordable cost of living and housing compared to other major Taiwanese cities, with a reasonable mortgage burden of 27.99%.
The city is considered very safe, with an overall safety score of 91/100, significantly higher than the Asian and worldwide averages.
Keelung boasts a vibrant food scene, highlighted by the famous Miaokou Night Market, offering a rich culinary experience.
As a major port city, Keelung has a strong maritime heritage and is actively developing its cruise tourism industry, attracting a significant number of passengers.
The city is committed to sustainability and low-carbon operations, with a low car ownership per capita, promoting a greener lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Keelung is known for its frequent rain and high humidity, earning it the nickname "Rainy Port," which can impact outdoor activities.
The city has a high proportion of single-person households, leading to the moniker "loneliest city" in Taiwan.
While improving, Keelung's economy is still heavily influenced by its port functions, and many residents commute to Taipei for work.
The city's infrastructure and urban environment can appear weathered and compact compared to Taiwan's larger, more modern cities.
Public transportation within Keelung, while functional, has moderate transit and walkability scores, suggesting room for improvement.
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
Keelung
#23Taiwan, China
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$2,477
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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