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City Showdown: What 1,500 Users Discovered Using Our Comparison Tool

City Showdown: What 1,500 Users Discovered Using Our Comparison Tool

May 12, 20256 min read

What happens when over 1,500 users compare cities using real data on salary, rent, and quality of life? You get some surprising insights—and some underrated winners.

We dug into anonymized trends from our city comparison tool to uncover what people are really looking for—and which cities come out on top when data drives the decision.


Most Compared Cities

Based on user sessions, these were the most frequently compared destinations:

City PairPopular With
Lisbon vs. BarcelonaEU nomads
Toronto vs. BerlinExpats & grads
Dubai vs. SingaporeFinance & tech workers
Mexico City vs. MedellínRemote freelancers
Bali vs. Chiang MaiContent creators & crypto workers

Takeaway: Users aren’t just comparing salary—they’re balancing climate, community, and cost of living too.


What Surprised People Most

  1. Dubai is cheaper to live in than expected
    While flashy on Instagram, Dubai’s 0% income tax and employer-covered housing caught many users off guard.

  2. Lisbon vs. Berlin is tighter than you think
    Many expected Berlin to be cheaper, but Lisbon’s tax regime and lower rent tipped the scale.

  3. Toronto beat Sydney more often than not
    Even with higher rent, Canada’s work visa pathways and PR systems gave it the edge.


Most Desired Features (Based on Filters Used)

Feature% of Users Who Used It
“Visa-friendly” cities61%
“Lower cost of living”76%
“Remote work ready”58%
“Mild climate”43%
“Path to PR or citizenship”35%

Takeaway: People want mobility, affordability, and long-term options—not just Instagrammable cafes.


Cities That Gained the Most Interest

City% Increase in Comparisons
Tbilisi+210%
Tallinn+160%
Buenos Aires+125%
Kuala Lumpur+90%
Valencia+85%

Users are exploring Tier 2 cities with better savings potential and fewer visa headaches.


Most Common Comparison Themes

  • “Where can I save more on the same salary?”
  • “Which cities let me stay long-term?”
  • “What’s the best place to work remotely with good infrastructure?”
  • “Can I live better outside of my home country?”

Our tool helps people model outcomes, not just make guesses.


Final Thoughts

Most users came to the tool with one city in mind—and left with a shortlist they hadn’t considered before. That’s the power of comparing real numbers.

Start your own showdown now—compare your current city to where you could thrive next.