City Comparison
Ottumwa vs Rahim Yar Khan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rahim Yar Khan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ottumwa
Rahim Yar Khan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rahim Yar Khan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
68% lower than in Ottumwa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ottumwa's average rent is
646% higher than Rahim Yar Khan's.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Rahim Yar Khan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $114 | +646% |
| Groceries | $350 | $180 | +94% |
| Utilities | $170 | $199 | -15% |
| Transport | $100 | $50 | +100% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $543 | +211% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 27 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ottumwa offers 2749% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ottumwa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ottumwa is estimated at
$42,000 vs $1,000 in Rahim Yar Khan.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Rahim Yar Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $1,685 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $1,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 6,241 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $3,548 |
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 | Rahim Yar 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% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rahim Yar Khan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Ottumwa.
Ottumwa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ottumwa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Rahim Yar Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rahim Yar Khan is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Rahim Yar 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 | Rahim Yar Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,514 | 545,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 2.47% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 7.10% |
| 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.
Rahim Yar Khan
Advantages
Highly affordable cost of living compared to national and international averages.
High safety index, indicating a secure environment for residents.
Growing industrial sector and Special Economic Zone offering business and employment opportunities.
Strategic geographical location serving as a hub for trade, education, and health for three provinces.
Rich agricultural base providing fresh produce and employment.
Drawbacks
Limited publicly available recent data for specific city metrics like median age, job growth, and detailed healthcare quality.
Transportation costs are higher than the national average.
Reliance on national average data for income and unemployment, lacking city-specific figures.
Hot and arid climate with extremely low rainfall for most of the year.
Potential for high car dependency due to limited specific public transit information.
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
Rahim Yar Khan
#1Punjab, Pakistan
83.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$114
Avg Salary
$1,685
Cost Index
27
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.47%
Unemployment
7.10%
Livability
67
Business
70
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