City Comparison
Florence vs Defu
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Defu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Florence
Defu
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% lower compared to Defu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Florence's average rent is
34% lower than Defu's.
| Metric | Florence | Defu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,195 | $1,800 | -34% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $344 | $180 | +91% |
| Transport | $323 | $120 | +169% |
| Healthcare | $126 | $250 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,538 | $2,800 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Defu offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Defu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Florence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Defu.
| Metric | Florence | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,838 | $53,308 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,407 idx | 56,114 idx |
| Household Income | $52,174 | $53,308 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Florence | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Florence has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Defu.
Defu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Defu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Florence | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Defu is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Florence.
From a growth perspective, Defu is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Defu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Florence | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,097 | 226,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.21% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 1.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is 16.8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with the median home price at $235,000 in May 2026, which is 49% lower than the national average.
Florence experienced a strong employment growth rate of 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time is relatively short at 18.7 minutes.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene and access to outdoor activities along the Tennessee River.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Florence is 25% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 75% higher.
Florence has a low Walk Score of 32, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Public transit options are limited, contributing to the city's car-dependent nature.
A significant portion of major roads and highways in the Florence area are in poor or mediocre condition.
The unemployment rate for Florence specifically was not readily available in recent data.
Defu
Advantages
Excellent public transportation network with MRT and bus services connecting residents island-wide.
High safety standards and low crime rates, contributing to a secure living environment.
Abundant amenities including shopping malls, diverse dining options, parks, and community facilities.
Proximity to Defu Industrial Estate offers employment opportunities in manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Mature residential town with a strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to many other global cities.
Defu itself is primarily an industrial estate, lacking residential amenities and character.
Commute times to the central business district can still be significant despite good transport links.
Aging population demographic may present future challenges for social services and healthcare demand.
Limited availability of certain specialized services directly within the immediate Defu area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Florence
#101Alabama, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,195
Avg Salary
$41,838
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.21%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
Defu
#9North-East Region, Singapore
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$53,308
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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