Belfast logs 4 frost days a year to Edinburgh's 20 — Belfast wins by 16. Edinburgh also leads on sunny days by 1.

Belfast runs about $1,917/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Edinburgh's $2,482/mo — Belfast comes in $565 cheaper each month, roughly 29% less.

Belfast and Edinburgh score neck-and-neck on mobility (2.8 vs 2.8, 0–5 scale).

Edinburgh's culture score of 4.0 sits well above Belfast's 3.5, with the biggest gap on arts & culture.

Edinburgh's nature & outdoors score of 4.3 sits well above Belfast's 3.8, with the biggest gap on green areas. Belfast still holds an edge on sea access.

Edinburgh's safety score is ~1.4× Belfast's — in the middle of the scale, while Belfast lands in the middle of the scale, with the biggest gap on property crime safety. Belfast still holds an edge on wildfire safety.

Belfast and Edinburgh score neck-and-neck on career (3.6 vs 3.4, 0–5 scale).

Edinburgh's social & community score of 3.8 sits well above Belfast's 3.3, with the biggest gap on multicultural mix.

On food & dining, Edinburgh scores 3.6 vs Belfast's 3.4 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on restaurant variety.

On family, Edinburgh scores 3.2 vs Belfast's 2.6 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on gym/fitness quality. Belfast still holds an edge on international schools.

Belfast and Edinburgh score neck-and-neck on healthcare (2.7 vs 2.7, 0–5 scale).

Belfast averages 7.0 µg/m³ (good) PM2.5 annually versus Edinburgh's 6.8 µg/m³ (good) — Edinburgh breathes ~3% cleaner air (0.2 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here