Johannesburg logs 14 hot days a year to Pretoria's 47 — Johannesburg wins by 33. Pretoria also leads on outdoor-dinner months by 1.

Johannesburg runs about $1,363/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Pretoria's $1,236/mo — Pretoria comes in $127 cheaper each month, roughly 10% less.

Johannesburg and Pretoria score neck-and-neck on mobility (2.2 vs 2.2, 0–5 scale).

Johannesburg's culture score of 3.6 sits well above Pretoria's 2.0, with the biggest gap on live music venues.

Pretoria's nature & outdoors score of 3.8 sits well above Johannesburg's 3.5, with the biggest gap on lakes & rivers.

Johannesburg and Pretoria score neck-and-neck on safety (1.2 vs 1.2, 0–5 scale).

Johannesburg's career score of 4.1 sits well above Pretoria's 2.8, with the biggest gap on career opportunities.

Johannesburg's social & community score of 3.4 sits well above Pretoria's 2.9, with the biggest gap on urban energy.

On food & dining, Johannesburg scores 3.8 vs Pretoria's 2.8 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on restaurant variety.

On family, Johannesburg scores 3.7 vs Pretoria's 3.0 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on international schools. Pretoria still holds an edge on playgrounds.

On healthcare, Johannesburg scores 3.4 vs Pretoria's 2.7 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on private healthcare quality.

Johannesburg averages 37.0 µg/m³ (very unhealthy) PM2.5 annually versus Pretoria's 29.1 µg/m³ (unhealthy) — Pretoria breathes ~21% cleaner air (7.9 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here