City Comparison
Williamsport vs Hazleton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Williamsport scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williamsport
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williamsport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williamsport's average rent is
30% lower than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Williamsport | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,350 | -30% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $349 | -50% |
| Transport | $110 | $360 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $293 | -22% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,752 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Williamsport offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Williamsport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Williamsport is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Williamsport | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,465 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Williamsport runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Williamsport comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Williamsport sees 17.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williamsport | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Williamsport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
Williamsport scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Williamsport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Williamsport | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hazleton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Williamsport.
From a growth perspective, Hazleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Williamsport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Williamsport | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,481 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 7.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Williamsport
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly below the national average per US Census Bureau data.
World-famous birthplace of Little League Baseball, offering unique cultural events and community pride.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including the Susquehanna River and nearby state forests.
Strong local healthcare sector anchored by UPMC Williamsport providing comprehensive medical services.
Rich Victorian architectural heritage and a vibrant downtown arts and dining scene.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails behind the broader national and state averages per Census estimates.
Public transit options are limited outside the primary fixed-bus routes, requiring high car dependency.
Limited high-paying corporate or tech sector job growth compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for winter weather conditions.
Gradual population stagnation over recent decades impacting broader municipal tax revenue.
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.
Williamsport
#417Pennsylvania, USA
57.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
73
Business
64
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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