Performance
Score Breakdown
General Santos
Al Seer
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
General Santos is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
53% lower compared to Al Seer.
Housing costs are a major driver: General Santos's average rent is
78% lower than Al Seer's.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Seer | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $177 | $797 | -78% |
| Groceries | $300 | $269 | +12% |
| Utilities | $100 | $180 | -44% |
| Transport | $80 | $114 | -30% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $707 | $1,510 | -53% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 65 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Al Seer offers 84% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Al Seer 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 $21,816 in Al Seer.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Seer |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,000 | $44,717 |
| Salary Needed | $14,400 | $21,816 |
| Purchasing Power | 20,000 idx | 68,795 idx |
| Household Income | $12,000 | $28,831 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Seer |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 57.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Al Seer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 Seer |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
General Santos is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Al Seer.
From a growth perspective, Al Seer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Al Seer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | General Santos | Al Seer |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 722,059 | 191,753 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 24.0 | |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 2.17% |
| 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 Seer
Advantages
Ras Al Khaimah consistently ranks among the world's safest cities, with a safety rating of 85.3 in 2026.
The cost of living in Ras Al Khaimah is significantly lower than in major UAE cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and generally more affordable than the US average.
Housing is affordable and easy to find, with 72% of expats reporting no significant issues in securing accommodation in 2024.
The economy is experiencing robust growth, with real GDP growth estimated at 6.7% in 2024 and projected at 6.1% into 2026, driven by tourism and real estate.
The emirate offers a high quality of life with diverse outdoor activities, including beaches, mountains, and adventure sports.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, and less than half of expats were satisfied with its availability in 2024.
Expats have expressed dissatisfaction with the affordability and perceived quality of healthcare, ranking it 28th out of 53 cities in 2024.
Leisure options in Ras Al Khaimah were ranked lower (36th out of 53 cities) compared to other expat destinations in 2024.
The climate features very hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 45°C (113°F).
The city is highly car-dependent due to the transportation infrastructure.
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 Seer
#7Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$797
Avg Salary
$44,717
Cost Index
65
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
72
Business
78
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between General Santos and Al Seer.
Open Cost Calculator