City Comparison
Mbombela vs Bessemer
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alabama, USA
View Bessemer profile
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Mbombela scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mbombela
Bessemer
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Mbombela | Bessemer | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $480 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $320 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $140 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,200 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 42 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mbombela offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Mbombela | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,450 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $1,100 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mbombela runs warmer on average — a 69.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mbombela comes out ahead with 224 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mbombela sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mbombela | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 67.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 224 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bessemer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,500 minutes (208 hours) per year compared to Mbombela.
Mbombela scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mbombela leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mbombela | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mbombela is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Mbombela is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bessemer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mbombela | Bessemer |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,204 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.12% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | |
| Unemployment | 28.10% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mbombela
Advantages
Proximity to world-renowned wildlife reserves including the Kruger National Park
Subtropical climate featuring warm summers and mild winters
Lower overall cost of living and housing compared to South Africa's primary metropolitan areas
Thriving regional hub for agriculture, forestry, and agro-processing industries
Comprehensive private healthcare infrastructure serving the broader Lowveld region
Drawbacks
High national and regional unemployment pressures impacting local job markets
Strong reliance on private transport infrastructure due to limited public transit options
Vulnerability to recurring national utility and electricity grid challenges
Necessity of maintaining proactive personal and residential security protocols
Susceptibility to high summer humidity and localized weather extremes
Bessemer
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Mbombela
#3Mpumalanga, South Africa
68.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$480
Avg Salary
$1,450
Cost Index
42
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
224/yr
Avg Temp
69.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.12%
Unemployment
28.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Bessemer
Alabama, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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