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Sharjah City vs Keelung

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Sharjah, UAE
View Sharjah City profile
#5 in UAE
89
Overall Score
VS
Taiwan, China
View Keelung profile
#19 in China
72
Overall Score
Sharjah City scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Sharjah City
Keelung
Livability
77
74
Affordability
85
65
Business
80
68
Growth
82
70

Cost of Living

Sharjah City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 39% lower compared to Keelung. Housing costs are a major driver: Sharjah City's average rent is 51% lower than Keelung's.
MetricSharjah CityKeelungDiff
Average Rent
$882$1,800-51%
Groceries
$327$450-27%
Utilities
$270$180+50%
Transport
$68$120-43%
Healthcare
$150$250-40%
Monthly Total
$1,697$2,800-39%
Cost Index
5095out of 100

Salary & Income

Sharjah City offers 2012% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sharjah City delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Sharjah City is estimated at $20,677 vs $55,000 in Keelung.
MetricSharjah CityKeelung
Average Salary
$52,316$2,477
Salary Needed
$20,677$55,000
Purchasing Power
104,632 idx2,607 idx
Household Income
$37,500$62,000

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricSharjah CityKeelung
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
%77.00%

Commute & Transport

Sharjah City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Keelung. Keelung scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Sharjah City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricSharjah CityKeelung
Commute Time
20 min28 min
Transit Score
40.0/1055.0/10
Walkability
68.0/1060.0/10
Traffic Index
303.0045.00
Car Dependency
HighLow

Economy & Demographics

Sharjah City is the larger city — approximately 5.3x the population of Keelung. From a growth perspective, Sharjah City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Sharjah City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricSharjah CityKeelung
Population
1,899,202358,304
Pop. Growth
5.13%%
Median Age
32.638.0
Unemployment
2.17%4.10%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Sharjah City
Advantages
Sharjah offers a more affordable cost of living compared to neighboring Dubai, particularly in terms of accommodation.
The city is consistently ranked among the safest globally, with a high safety index score of 84.5 in January 2026.
Sharjah's economy is experiencing strong growth, with a 45% increase in new jobs created in H1 2025 and a 14% rise in new business registrations in 2025.
The healthcare system provides quality medical services with 10 hospitals and medical centers, and the UAE ranks highly in global healthcare quality indicators.
Sharjah is a cultural and educational hub, recognized by UNESCO, offering a rich heritage and a family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Sharjah experiences high car dependency, with over 83% of commuters using cars, leading to significant traffic congestion.
The city's walkability score is moderate at 68, indicating that some errands require a car.
Summers are very hot and arid, with average temperatures often exceeding 30-35°C, which can be challenging for outdoor activities.
Specific data for certain city-level metrics like median age and unemployment rate are not readily available, often requiring reliance on broader UAE national data.
While public transport exists, the high car dependency suggests that the public transit network may not be as comprehensive or preferred as private vehicles.
Keelung
Advantages
Keelung offers a more affordable cost of living and housing compared to other major Taiwanese cities, with a reasonable mortgage burden of 27.99%.
The city is considered very safe, with an overall safety score of 91/100, significantly higher than the Asian and worldwide averages.
Keelung boasts a vibrant food scene, highlighted by the famous Miaokou Night Market, offering a rich culinary experience.
As a major port city, Keelung has a strong maritime heritage and is actively developing its cruise tourism industry, attracting a significant number of passengers.
The city is committed to sustainability and low-carbon operations, with a low car ownership per capita, promoting a greener lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Keelung is known for its frequent rain and high humidity, earning it the nickname "Rainy Port," which can impact outdoor activities.
The city has a high proportion of single-person households, leading to the moniker "loneliest city" in Taiwan.
While improving, Keelung's economy is still heavily influenced by its port functions, and many residents commute to Taipei for work.
The city's infrastructure and urban environment can appear weathered and compact compared to Taiwan's larger, more modern cities.
Public transportation within Keelung, while functional, has moderate transit and walkability scores, suggesting room for improvement.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Sharjah City
#5
Sharjah, UAE
88.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$882
Avg Salary
$52,316
Cost Index
50
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.13%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
77
Business
80
View Full Profile
Keelung
#19
Taiwan, China
72.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$2,477
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile

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