Charnwood
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
#1 in Australia
72
Overall Score
VS
Rexburg
Idaho, USA
#28 in USA
72
Overall Score
Both cities score equally

Score Breakdown

Charnwood
Rexburg
Livability
74
75
Affordability
65
70
Business
68
68
Growth
70
65

Cost of Living

Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 43% higher compared to Charnwood. Housing costs are a major driver: Charnwood's average rent is 63% higher than Rexburg's.
MetricCharnwoodRexburgDiff
Average Rent
$1,700$1,044+63%
Groceries
$450$262+72%
Utilities
$180$1800%
Transport
$120$150-20%
Healthcare
$250$2500%
Monthly Total
$2,700$1,886+43%
Cost Index
95116out of 100

Salary & Income

Charnwood offers 80% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charnwood delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Charnwood is estimated at $55,000 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
MetricCharnwoodRexburg
Average Salary
$71,300$39,531
Salary Needed
$55,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
75,053 idx34,078 idx
Household Income
$67,090$50,617

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricCharnwoodRexburg
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
65.00%66.00%

Commute & Transport

Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Charnwood. Charnwood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Charnwood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricCharnwoodRexburg
Commute Time
25 min18 min
Transit Score
55.0/1030.0/10
Walkability
60.0/1042.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0045.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Rexburg is the larger city — approximately 0.1x the population of Charnwood. From a growth perspective, Rexburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Rexburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricCharnwoodRexburg
Population
3,05547,466
Pop. Growth
0.03%0.32%
Median Age
35.021.0
Unemployment
4.09%3.80%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Charnwood
Advantages
Affordable property prices compared to ACT averages, offering good entry points for buyers.
Strong community-oriented environment with local markets and festivals fostering a sense of belonging.
Proximity to Belconnen Town Centre provides convenient access to shopping, arts, and recreational facilities.
Crime in Charnwood decreased by 100% from 2024 to 2025, with no homicide cases reported in 2025.
Median house prices in Charnwood saw a 5.6% growth from July 2025 to July 2026.
Drawbacks
Limited high-end properties available in the suburb.
Market fluctuations can occur, impacting property values.
Distance from Canberra's CBD means a longer commute for some residents.
Higher rates of break-ins and motor vehicle theft compared to the ACT average in 2022-2024.
Most daily errands require a car, indicating a medium car dependency.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Charnwood
#1
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$71,300
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.09%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Rexburg
#28
Idaho, USA
72.0 / 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
View Full Profile

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