Performance
Score Breakdown
General Santos
Al Mamourah
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
General Santos is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
57% lower compared to Al Mamourah.
Housing costs are a major driver: General Santos's average rent is
78% lower than Al Mamourah's.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Mamourah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $177 | $797 | -78% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $100 | $149 | -33% |
| Transport | $80 | $250 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $707 | $1,646 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 55 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Al Mamourah offers 80% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Al Mamourah delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in General Santos is estimated at
$14,400 vs $30,000 in Al Mamourah.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Mamourah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,000 | $34,784 |
| Salary Needed | $14,400 | $30,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 20,000 idx | 63,244 idx |
| Household Income | $12,000 | $28,868 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Mamourah |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Al Mamourah has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to General Santos.
General Santos scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, General Santos leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Mamourah |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 24.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
General Santos is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Al Mamourah.
From a growth perspective, General Santos is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, General Santos has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Mamourah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 722,059 | 191,753 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | % |
| Median Age | 24.0 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 6.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
General Santos
Advantages
Renowned as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," boasting a significant global presence in the fishing industry.
A major agricultural hub, producing a variety of export-quality goods and livestock.
Offers a relatively low cost of living, making it an affordable place to reside compared to other Philippine cities.
Serves as a key economic and industrial center, acting as a gateway to southern Mindanao.
Recognized for its well-planned urban layout, contributing to smoother traffic flow and efficient development.
Drawbacks
Susceptible to natural disasters, as evidenced by the mention of the 2026 Mindanao earthquake.
Faces traffic congestion in key areas, particularly during peak hours and market days.
Beaches in close proximity to the city are noted as not being ideal due to potential pollution.
While improving, high-skilled job opportunities may be less diverse compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Internet speeds, though improving with fiber optic availability, were historically noted as slow in some areas.
Al Mamourah
Advantages
Ras Al Khaimah boasts a very high safety index of 86.35 as of June 2026.
The emirate experienced significant economic growth, with a real GDP growth of 6.7% in 2024.
New business registrations in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) surged by 66% in 2024.
The cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah is considerably more affordable than major UAE cities, with a Cost of Living Index of 54.59 in June 2026.
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 1.28 million overnight visitors in 2024, indicating a booming tourism sector.
Drawbacks
Summers in Ras Al Khaimah are extremely hot and humid, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 42°C.
The unemployment rate in Ras Al Khaimah was 6.2% in 2024, higher than the national UAE average.
Public transportation options within Ras Al Khaimah are limited, leading to a medium car dependency. [cite: 25, 26, previous search]
Healthcare services, while high quality, can be expensive for expatriates without comprehensive insurance.
Specific city-level demographic data, such as median age and population growth rate, are less readily available than emirate-wide statistics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
General Santos
#4Mindanao, Philippines
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$177
Avg Salary
$7,000
Cost Index
35
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Al Mamourah
#2Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$797
Avg Salary
$34,784
Cost Index
55
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
82
Business
85
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