City Comparison
Altoona vs Hazleton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Altoona scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Altoona
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altoona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altoona's average rent is
26% lower than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Altoona | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,350 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $349 | -50% |
| Transport | $110 | $360 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $293 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,752 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Altoona offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altoona delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altoona is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Altoona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $51,250 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Altoona runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Altoona comes out ahead with 227 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Altoona sees 25.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Altoona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 227 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Altoona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altoona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altoona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altoona is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Hazleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Altoona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altoona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,196 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 7.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altoona
Advantages
Median home property values in Altoona remain exceptionally affordable at roughly $161,000 per Zillow and Census data.
Average monthly rent is approximately $1,000, sitting roughly 40% below the national average per Zillow.
Average commute times are short, typically hovering around 18 to 20 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to stunning outdoor recreational destinations like the Horseshoe Curve and Canoe Creek State Park.
Low violent crime rates provide a peaceful and secure environment for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Economic growth and population trends show a slight multi-year decline per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Median household income trails both state and national benchmarks significantly.
Limited high-paying corporate or advanced tech job opportunities locally compared to larger metro areas.
Public transit options are relatively limited, making owning a personal vehicle virtually essential.
winters bring cold temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall requiring winterized preparation.
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.
Altoona
#285Pennsylvania, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
227/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
62
Hazleton
#516Pennsylvania, USA
51.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$49,688
Cost Index
101
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
7.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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