Dunedin logs 21 frost days a year to Hamilton's 5 — Hamilton wins by 16. Hamilton also leads on outdoor-dinner months by 5.

Dunedin runs about $2,135/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Hamilton's $2,228/mo — Dunedin comes in $93 cheaper each month, roughly 4% less.

On mobility, Hamilton scores 1.8 vs Dunedin's 1.4 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on motorbike/scooter efficiency. Dunedin still holds an edge on car efficiency.

Hamilton's culture score of 2.9 sits well above Dunedin's 2.0, with the biggest gap on history museums. Dunedin still holds an edge on nightlife.

Dunedin's nature & outdoors score of 4.0 sits well above Hamilton's 3.2, with the biggest gap on hiking.

Dunedin and Hamilton score neck-and-neck on safety (4.4 vs 4.3, 0–5 scale).

Hamilton's career score of 2.3 sits well above Dunedin's 2.0, with the biggest gap on economic scale.

Hamilton's social & community score of 3.3 sits well above Dunedin's 2.8, with the biggest gap on multicultural mix.

On food & dining, Hamilton scores 2.2 vs Dunedin's 1.6 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on vegan & vegetarian options.

On family, Hamilton scores 2.4 vs Dunedin's 1.9 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on international schools.

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

Dunedin averages 5.7 µg/m³ (good) PM2.5 annually versus Hamilton's 6.1 µg/m³ (good) — Dunedin breathes ~7% cleaner air (0.4 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here