Performance
Score Breakdown
Kitchener
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
99% higher compared to Kitchener.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kitchener's average rent is
30% higher than Moscow's.
| Metric | Kitchener | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,738 | $1,338 | +30% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,658 | $1,338 | +99% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kitchener is estimated at
$55,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Kitchener | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,950 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,684 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $87,000 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kitchener | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Kitchener.
Kitchener scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kitchener | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kitchener is the larger city
— approximately 9.8x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Kitchener is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kitchener | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 256,885 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 6.40% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kitchener
Advantages
Strong job growth in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge CMA, with a 7.9% increase in employment in December 2024.
Affordable cost of living compared to many other major Canadian cities, with an estimated cost of living index of 95.
Highly walkable downtown core and good public transit options, including the ION light rail.
Vibrant cultural scene with major events like Oktoberfest and a rich German heritage.
Access to green spaces and recreational areas, including parks and trails along the Grand River.
Drawbacks
Crime rates are reported to be 35% higher than the Ontario average.
Public transit consistency can be an issue, with reports of punctuality problems.
Finding a family doctor can be challenging due to long waitlists at clinics.
Some areas of the city exhibit higher car dependency, impacting walkability outside the downtown core.
Recent slowdown in population growth, potentially impacting future economic momentum.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kitchener
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,738
Avg Salary
$51,950
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
72.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
6.40%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Moscow
#14Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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