Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
22% lower than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Amherst | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,350 | -22% |
| Groceries | $344 | $400 | -14% |
| Utilities | $118 | $349 | -66% |
| Transport | $491 | $360 | +36% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $293 | -70% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $2,752 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 43% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hazleton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Amherst | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
Hazleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Amherst leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Amherst | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hazleton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Amherst.
From a growth perspective, Amherst is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Amherst has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Amherst | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amherst
Advantages
The cost of living in Amherst is 6% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Amherst serves as a strategic gateway community into Nova Scotia, offering excellent transportation links and proximity to New Brunswick.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services at the 24/7 Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, which provides a wide range of specialties.
The town is considered a 'very walkable community' with various outdoor and indoor walking options available to residents.
Amherst has experienced a positive population growth rate of 1.8% year-over-year as of 2024, indicating a growing community.
Drawbacks
Amherst's crime rates are significantly higher, reported to be 154% above the Nova Scotia average.
Public transportation options are minimal, with only 0.4% of commuters using it, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
The median household income in Amherst is $38,920 USD, which is lower than the Nova Scotia median household income of $49,950 USD.
With a median age of 46.2 years, the town has an older demographic profile, which may appeal less to younger populations seeking a vibrant youth culture.
Job growth in Nova Scotia, while positive, has slowed to 0.4% in 2025, potentially impacting local employment opportunities.
Hazleton
Advantages
Median home sale price increased by 13.3% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating a growing housing market.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, making it more affordable to live.
Violent crime rates are below the U.S. average, contributing to a safer community environment.
The city has a positive job growth rate of 2.56% from June 2025 to June 2026.
Pennsylvania ranks among the top states for new business survival, suggesting a supportive entrepreneurial climate.
Drawbacks
Unemployment rate in Hazleton was 7.40% in June 2026, higher than the national average.
Utility prices are estimated to be 15% higher than the national average.
Transportation expenses are 13% higher than the national average, and car dependency is high.
A significant portion of Hazleton families (25.0%) live in poverty.
Conflicting data on cost of living index makes overall affordability assessment challenging.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Amherst
#26Nova Scotia, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$28,448
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.30%
Livability
65
Business
60
Hazleton
#76Pennsylvania, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$49,688
Cost Index
101
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
7.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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