Performance
Score Breakdown
Rafha
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rafha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
43% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rafha's average rent is
31% lower than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Rafha | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $452 | $655 | -31% |
| Groceries | $319 | $425 | -25% |
| Utilities | $133 | $239 | -44% |
| Transport | $150 | $387 | -61% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $149 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,054 | $1,855 | -43% |
| Cost Index | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Rafha | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $35,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rafha | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Johnstown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rafha | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rafha is the larger city
— approximately 3.9x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Rafha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rafha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rafha | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,175 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.62% | % |
| Median Age | 24.3 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.04% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rafha
Advantages
Rafha boasts a significantly lower cost of living, particularly for rent, compared to major Saudi Arabian cities and international averages.
The city is considered calm and safe, contributing to a high sense of security for residents.
The presence of Northern Borders University branches has transformed Rafha into a local educational hub, fostering intellectual and economic growth.
Ongoing government initiatives and projects, including those under Saudi Vision 2030, support local industries like agriculture and tourism, indicating future growth potential.
Healthcare access is robust, with a central hospital offering comprehensive services and ongoing expansion projects to enhance capacity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation within the city is not widely developed, leading to high car dependency.
The city experiences a hot desert climate, which can be challenging for outdoor activities and comfort.
Limited specific data is publicly available for certain economic metrics like median household income and average salaries for Rafha city.
Walkability is low, and long distances are not recommended for walking, especially in the heat.
The remote location and less developed urban infrastructure might limit entertainment and diverse lifestyle options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Johnstown
Advantages
The cost of living in Johnstown is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values in Johnstown are considerably more affordable than the national average, making homeownership accessible.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Johnstown has a strong healthcare sector with major employers like Conemaugh Health System, providing local job opportunities and medical services.
The city offers a rich historical and cultural experience, including museums and local sports teams.
Drawbacks
Johnstown's population is projected to decline, indicating potential challenges in growth and development.
The median household income in Johnstown is substantially lower than the national average.
A significant percentage of Johnstown families live in poverty, highlighting economic challenges.
The safety index for Johnstown is relatively low, suggesting concerns about crime.
Utilities and transportation costs are slightly higher than the national average, offsetting some of the housing affordability.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rafha
#1Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Saudi Arabia
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$452
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.62%
Unemployment
3.04%
Livability
62
Business
60
Johnstown
#106Pennsylvania, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$655
Avg Salary
$25,800
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
60
Business
55
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