City Comparison
Hastings vs Alliance
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alliance scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hastings
Alliance
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alliance is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Hastings.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hastings's average rent is
73% higher than Alliance's.
| Metric | Hastings | Alliance | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,122 | $647 | +73% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,072 | $1,647 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alliance offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alliance delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hastings is estimated at
$44,880 vs $55,000 in Alliance.
| Metric | Hastings | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,554 | $65,160 |
| Salary Needed | $44,880 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,711 idx | 72,400 idx |
| Household Income | $64,048 | $65,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hastings runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hastings comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hastings sees 15.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hastings | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 284 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alliance has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Hastings.
Hastings scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hastings leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hastings | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 14.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hastings is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Alliance.
From a growth perspective, Hastings is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hastings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hastings | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,008 | 8,075 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | — |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hastings
Advantages
Cost of living is 15% lower than the national average, with housing expenses 27% lower than the national average.
Average commute time is significantly shorter than the national average, around 13.8 to 16.8 minutes.
Violent crime rate is substantially lower than the national average.
Hastings is a regional healthcare center with Mary Lanning Healthcare providing comprehensive services.
Strong agricultural and manufacturing base with established industries like ethanol production and irrigation equipment manufacturing.
Drawbacks
Crime rate is 10% higher than the national average overall, though violent crime is lower.
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating high car dependency.
A notable percentage of families live below the poverty line (10.2% to 14.3%).
The median household income is lower than the national average.
Climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High' with specific risks like hail and strong winds.
Alliance
Advantages
Cost of living is 9% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 30% lower.
Violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with 0 reported murders in 2024.
High homeownership rate of 75.2%.
Short average commute time of 10.6 minutes.
The Health Care & Social Assistance sector is a major employer in the city.
Drawbacks
Population has been declining slightly in recent years.
Walkability and transit scores are very low, indicating high car dependency.
Limited retail options within the city, requiring travel to nearby Scottsbluff for more extensive shopping.
The overall climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High'.
Drug activity is noted as a concern within the community.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hastings
#245Nebraska, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,122
Avg Salary
$57,554
Cost Index
85
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Alliance
#193Nebraska, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$647
Avg Salary
$65,160
Cost Index
90
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
14.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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