Performance
Score Breakdown
Altona
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% higher compared to Altona.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altona's average rent is
147% higher than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Altona | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,618 | $655 | +147% |
| Groceries | $362 | $425 | -15% |
| Utilities | $208 | $239 | -13% |
| Transport | $69 | $387 | -82% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $149 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,257 | $1,855 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Altona offers 78% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altona delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altona is estimated at
$42,000 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Altona | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,008 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,726 idx | 27,742 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altona | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altona has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Johnstown.
Altona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altona | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altona is the larger city
— approximately 16x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Altona is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Altona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altona | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 281,136 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | % |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altona
Advantages
Altona has a strong job market, particularly in media, advertising, and creative industries.
The borough offers excellent public transport connections via S-Bahn and U-Bahn, ensuring easy commutes.
Altona is known for its diverse, family-friendly environment and beautiful Elbe river views.
The area features a lively cultural scene with numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and farmer's markets.
Altona is considered a safe place to live, with a safety rating of 4 out of 5.
Drawbacks
Rent in Altona is higher compared to some other districts within Hamburg.
Finding an apartment in Altona can be challenging due to high demand and low vacancy rates.
Some parts of Altona can feel too quiet in the evenings, depending on the specific neighborhood.
Parking can be confusing due to the prevalence of one-way streets.
There are reports of visible drug users and alcoholics near the train station, though they are generally described as peaceful.
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.
Altona
#2Hamburg, Germany
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,618
Avg Salary
$46,008
Cost Index
70
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
85.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
80
Business
70
Johnstown
#108Pennsylvania, 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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