City Comparison
Saarbrücken vs Wells
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wells scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saarbrücken
Wells
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Saarbrücken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Wells.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Wells | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $634 | $580 | +9% |
| Groceries | $320 | $400 | -20% |
| Utilities | $200 | $180 | +11% |
| Transport | $70 | $120 | -42% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $250 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $1,274 | $1,530 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 60 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wells offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Saarbrücken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Saarbrücken is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Wells.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 96,667 idx | 67,708 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $107,454 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saarbrücken runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saarbrücken comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saarbrücken sees 7.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Saarbrücken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Wells.
Saarbrücken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saarbrücken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 37 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 80.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Saarbrücken is the larger city
— approximately 136.1x the population of Wells.
From a growth perspective, Wells is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wells has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,000 | 1,352 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 36.7 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saarbrücken
Advantages
Saarbrücken offers significantly lower rent and daily expenses compared to major German cities.
The city is a strong research and tech hub, home to renowned institutes in computer science and AI.
Its cross-border location provides easy access to French and Luxembourgish cultures and opportunities.
Saarbrücken boasts excellent public transport, including the Saarbahn light rail connecting to France.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant green spaces, cultural attractions, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Saarbrücken is estimated to be higher than the national average. [cite: 24, 28, 35 from previous search]
Some areas within the city are noted for higher poverty rates.
Public transport outside the city center and in surrounding villages can be less efficient, often requiring a car.
The population in rural areas of Saarland tends to be older.
Specific job growth and new business growth rates for the city are not readily available, indicating potential data gaps for economic momentum.
Wells
Advantages
Wells offers a cost of living that is 7% lower than the Nevada average and 4% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 18% lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Wells is 0.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 75% below the national average.
The median household income in Wells saw a significant increase of 41.5% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $107,454.
Wells is considered a buyer's market, indicating a favorable environment for those looking to purchase a home.
The town provides a sparse suburban feel with a strong sense of community, appealing to those seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Public transit is not widely available, and the city has low walkability and transit scores, making car ownership essential.
The poverty rate in Wells is 21.3%, which is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
Specific data on the number of hospitals and comprehensive healthcare services in Wells is limited, potentially requiring travel to larger cities for specialized care.
While home prices have seen increases, some reports indicate a recent decrease in median property value.
The town's economy is concentrated in a few key industries, which could lead to vulnerability to sector-specific downturns.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Saarbrücken
#78Saarland, Germany
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$634
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
60
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
80.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
80
Business
68
Wells
#113Nevada, USA
66.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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