City Comparison
Philadelphia vs Hazleton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Philadelphia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Philadelphia
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Philadelphia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Philadelphia's average rent is
31% higher than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,768 | $1,350 | +31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $185 | $349 | -47% |
| Transport | $110 | $360 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $293 | -22% |
| Monthly Total | $2,713 | $2,752 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Philadelphia offers 45% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Philadelphia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Philadelphia is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $61,953 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Philadelphia runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Philadelphia comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Philadelphia sees 12 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Philadelphia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Philadelphia is the larger city
— approximately 48.2x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Hazleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,574,281 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 7.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Philadelphia
Advantages
Average rent remains roughly 15-20% lower than comparable major East Coast markets like New York and Boston.
Home to world-class higher education and healthcare anchor institutions driving stable high-skilled employment.
High walkability and extensive public transit infrastructure via SEPTA make car-free urban living practical.
Vibrant arts, historical architecture, and globally renowned culinary and craft beverage scenes.
Emerging status as a top-tier life sciences and biotechnology venture capital destination ('Cellicon Valley').
Drawbacks
Local wage and business tax structures can present a heavier financial burden compared to surrounding suburbs.
Property crime and localized public safety challenges persist across specific urban neighborhoods.
Public school system performance faces chronic funding and structural hurdles, prompting many families to explore alternatives.
Varying rates of economic mobility leave certain historically underserved neighborhoods behind the city's broader growth.
Post-pandemic economic and job growth recovery has occasionally lagged behind other major U.S. metropolitan regions.
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.
Philadelphia
#512Pennsylvania, USA
51.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,768
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
76.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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