Performance
Score Breakdown
Aachen
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aachen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aachen's average rent is
31% higher than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Aachen | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $856 | $655 | +31% |
| Groceries | $350 | $425 | -18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $239 | -25% |
| Transport | $73 | $387 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $149 | +68% |
| Monthly Total | $1,709 | $1,855 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 48 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 82% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johnstown delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aachen is estimated at
$2,943 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Aachen | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,680 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $2,943 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 9,750 idx | 27,742 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aachen | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 79.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aachen.
Aachen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aachen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aachen | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aachen is the larger city
— approximately 14.9x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Aachen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aachen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aachen | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,000 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aachen
Advantages
Aachen offers a high quality of life with top-notch healthcare and public transport.
The city boasts a growing economy and a strong tech hub, leading to numerous job opportunities, especially in technology and engineering.
Aachen has low crime rates, making it a safe place to live.
Its location near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands provides excellent travel perks and a diverse cultural experience.
The cost of living, particularly rent, is more affordable compared to major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt.
Drawbacks
Aachen's weather can be a drawback, with frequent rain, especially during winter.
While English is common, a good grasp of German is often necessary for daily life and local job opportunities.
The housing market is competitive, and finding accommodation, especially for students, can involve long waiting lists.
The nightlife scene is not as extensive as in larger cities like Berlin or Cologne.
Making friends with local residents can be challenging for expats, with a lower ease-of-making-friends score compared to the global average.
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.
Aachen
#3North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$856
Avg Salary
$4,680
Cost Index
48
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
74
Business
68
Johnstown
#105Pennsylvania, 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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