Performance
Score Breakdown
Rafha
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rafha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Rexburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rafha's average rent is
57% lower than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Rafha | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $452 | $1,044 | -57% |
| Groceries | $319 | $262 | +22% |
| Utilities | $133 | $180 | -26% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,054 | $1,886 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rexburg offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Rafha | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rafha | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Rexburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rafha | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rafha is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Rafha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rafha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rafha | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,175 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.62% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 24.3 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.04% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rafha
Advantages
Rafha boasts a significantly lower cost of living, particularly for rent, compared to major Saudi Arabian cities and international averages.
The city is considered calm and safe, contributing to a high sense of security for residents.
The presence of Northern Borders University branches has transformed Rafha into a local educational hub, fostering intellectual and economic growth.
Ongoing government initiatives and projects, including those under Saudi Vision 2030, support local industries like agriculture and tourism, indicating future growth potential.
Healthcare access is robust, with a central hospital offering comprehensive services and ongoing expansion projects to enhance capacity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation within the city is not widely developed, leading to high car dependency.
The city experiences a hot desert climate, which can be challenging for outdoor activities and comfort.
Limited specific data is publicly available for certain economic metrics like median household income and average salaries for Rafha city.
Walkability is low, and long distances are not recommended for walking, especially in the heat.
The remote location and less developed urban infrastructure might limit entertainment and diverse lifestyle options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rafha
#3Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Saudi Arabia
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$452
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.62%
Unemployment
3.04%
Livability
62
Business
60
Rexburg
#28Idaho, 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
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