Performance
Score Breakdown
Centennial
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% higher compared to Centennial.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centennial's average rent is
215% higher than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Centennial | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,063 | $655 | +215% |
| Groceries | $0 | $425 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $239 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $387 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $149 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,063 | $1,855 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 548% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Centennial | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $167,169 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $35,000 |
| Household Income | $131,928 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Centennial | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 51.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Centennial.
Johnstown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Johnstown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Centennial | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Centennial is the larger city
— approximately 6.2x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Centennial is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Centennial has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Centennial | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,178 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.48% | % |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centennial
Advantages
Centennial has a very low crime rate, 50% below the national average, making it one of the safest major U.S. cities.
The city boasts a high quality of life, ranked #1 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report in 2025–2026.
Centennial has a strong job market and a high median household income of $131,928 as of 2024.
The public schools in Centennial are highly rated.
Residents benefit from a shorter average commute time (25.9 minutes) compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Centennial is higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent in Centennial is higher than the national average.
While public transit exists, the city still exhibits a medium car dependency.
The overall crime grade, while still good, is slightly higher than the average US city according to one source.
Some areas of Centennial have higher violent crime rates than others, particularly the northeast.
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.
Centennial
#23Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,063
Avg Salary
$167,169
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.48%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
0
Johnstown
#106Pennsylvania, 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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