City Comparison
Ottumwa vs Dera Ghazi Khan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dera Ghazi Khan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ottumwa
Dera Ghazi Khan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dera Ghazi Khan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
86% lower than in Ottumwa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ottumwa's average rent is
1081% higher than Dera Ghazi Khan's.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Dera Ghazi Khan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $72 | +1081% |
| Groceries | $350 | $71 | +393% |
| Utilities | $170 | $58 | +193% |
| Transport | $100 | $40 | +150% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $241 | +601% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 20 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ottumwa offers 2799% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ottumwa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Dera Ghazi Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $1,656 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $0 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 8,280 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ottumwa runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 274 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ottumwa sees 19.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Dera Ghazi Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 274 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dera Ghazi Khan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Ottumwa.
For walkability, Dera Ghazi Khan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Dera Ghazi Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dera Ghazi Khan is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Dera Ghazi Khan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ottumwa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Dera Ghazi Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,514 | 541,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 2.85% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.42% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
Dera Ghazi Khan
Advantages
The city boasts a highly affordable cost of living, ranking among the least expensive globally.
Public transportation is being modernized with the introduction of electric bus services, improving connectivity and offering affordable fares.
Dera Ghazi Khan is rich in cultural heritage, offering unique experiences of Baloch tribal traditions and historical sites.
Efforts are underway to enhance urban safety through the implementation of a Safe City Project with modern surveillance.
The strategic location serves as a vital hub for trade and commerce between Punjab and Balochistan.
Drawbacks
The city experiences extremely hot and humid summers, with average highs reaching 107°F (42°C) in June.
Specific, recent data for several key economic indicators like median household income, unemployment rate, and job growth are not readily available.
Security concerns exist due to its border location, necessitating continuous monitoring and security measures.
The district's literacy rate is relatively low, particularly for females, indicating a need for educational development.
While public transport is improving, the city still exhibits a medium to high car dependency, and comprehensive transit infrastructure is developing.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
Dera Ghazi Khan
#11Punjab, Pakistan
71.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$72
Avg Salary
$1,656
Cost Index
20
Commute
min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.85%
Unemployment
5.42%
Livability
68
Business
55
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