Sharjah City
Sharjah, UAE
#2 in UAE
78
Overall Score
VS
Rexburg
Idaho, USA
#28 in USA
72
Overall Score
Sharjah City scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Sharjah City
Rexburg
Livability
77
75
Affordability
85
70
Business
80
68
Growth
82
65

Cost of Living

Sharjah City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 10% lower compared to Rexburg. Housing costs are a major driver: Sharjah City's average rent is 16% lower than Rexburg's.
MetricSharjah CityRexburgDiff
Average Rent
$882$1,044-16%
Groceries
$327$262+25%
Utilities
$270$180+50%
Transport
$68$150-55%
Healthcare
$150$250-40%
Monthly Total
$1,697$1,886-10%
Cost Index
50116out of 100

Salary & Income

Sharjah City offers 32% 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 Rexburg.
MetricSharjah CityRexburg
Average Salary
$52,316$39,531
Salary Needed
$20,677$55,000
Purchasing Power
104,632 idx34,078 idx
Household Income
$37,500$50,617

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricSharjah CityRexburg
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
%66.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other. Sharjah City 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 CityRexburg
Commute Time
20 min18 min
Transit Score
40.0/1030.0/10
Walkability
68.0/1042.0/10
Traffic Index
303.0045.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Sharjah City is the larger city — approximately 40x the population of Rexburg. 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 CityRexburg
Population
1,899,20247,466
Pop. Growth
5.13%0.32%
Median Age
32.621.0
Unemployment
2.17%3.80%
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.
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.

Dive Deeper

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

Sharjah City
#2
Sharjah, UAE
78.0 / 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
Rexburg
#28
Idaho, 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
View Full Profile

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