City Comparison
Merthyr Tydfil vs Zhaotong
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Zhaotong scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Merthyr Tydfil
Zhaotong
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zhaotong is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
132% higher compared to Merthyr Tydfil.
Housing costs are a major driver: Merthyr Tydfil's average rent is
177% higher than Zhaotong's.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Zhaotong | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $755 | $273 | +177% |
| Groceries | $400 | $300 | +33% |
| Utilities | $338 | $80 | +323% |
| Transport | $120 | $50 | +140% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $100 | +150% |
| Monthly Total | $1,863 | $803 | +132% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 32 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Merthyr Tydfil offers 145% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Zhaotong delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Merthyr Tydfil is estimated at
$25,000 vs $9,636 in Zhaotong.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Zhaotong |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $27,399 | $11,172 |
| Salary Needed | $25,000 | $9,636 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,443 idx | 34,913 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Zhaotong |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 86.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Zhaotong scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zhaotong leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Zhaotong |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zhaotong is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Merthyr Tydfil.
From a growth perspective, Zhaotong is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Merthyr Tydfil has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Merthyr Tydfil | Zhaotong |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,972 | 390,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.07% | 2.09% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 5.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Merthyr Tydfil
Advantages
Merthyr Tydfil offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to the UK average, particularly in housing.
The town is situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, providing excellent access to outdoor recreational activities.
Merthyr Tydfil has a rich industrial heritage, offering a unique historical and cultural landscape.
The housing market is considered affordable for both renters and buyers, with competitive property prices and rents.
The tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, contributing to the local economy and job creation.
Drawbacks
Merthyr Tydfil has a higher crime rate than the UK national average, with specific areas experiencing higher incident levels.
Life expectancy in Merthyr Tydfil is lower than the Welsh average, and the region experiences high rates of mental illness and poor well-being.
A significant portion of the population has no formal qualifications, which can affect employment prospects and income levels.
The town faces challenges with deprivation in some areas, and has a higher proportion of older housing stock.
Public transport options are less extensive compared to larger urban centers, indicating a higher reliance on private vehicles.
Zhaotong
Advantages
Very low cost of living, with average monthly expenses for an individual around $618.
Affordable rental market, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing approximately $273 per month.
Rich agricultural sector, being China's largest high-quality apple production base in the south.
Extensive public bus network providing affordable city transit.
Generally safe environment for residents and travelers.
Drawbacks
Average salaries are significantly lower than national urban averages, with a median after-tax monthly salary of $931.
Lack of a metro or tram system, relying solely on buses for public transit.
Traffic congestion can be heavy on busy main roads.
Limited specific city-level data for various economic and demographic metrics, indicating less developed data infrastructure.
No direct data available for median age, making demographic analysis less complete.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Merthyr Tydfil
#2Wales, UK
54.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$755
Avg Salary
$27,399
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.07%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
68
Business
60
Zhaotong
#11Yunnan, China
80.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$273
Avg Salary
$11,172
Cost Index
32
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.09%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
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