Performance
Score Breakdown
Montes Claros
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montes Claros is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
55% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montes Claros's average rent is
54% lower than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $304 | $655 | -54% |
| Groceries | $344 | $425 | -19% |
| Utilities | $67 | $239 | -72% |
| Transport | $52 | $387 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $149 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $842 | $1,855 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 98% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johnstown delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montes Claros is estimated at
$10,200 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $406 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $10,200 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 644 idx | 27,742 idx |
| Household Income | $4,872 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Montes Claros has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Johnstown.
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 | Montes Claros | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 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
Montes Claros is the larger city
— approximately 25.3x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Montes Claros is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Montes Claros has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montes Claros | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 443,380 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.32% | % |
| Median Age | 44.0 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $2.6B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montes Claros
Advantages
Montes Claros is classified as the 5th city in Minas Gerais with the best quality of life, scoring 68.79 in the IPS Brasil 2024 index.
The city's cost of living is approximately 37% lower than the global median, making it highly affordable.
The pharmaceutical industry is a strong growth sector, attracting significant investments and creating jobs.
Montes Claros has a robust entrepreneurial climate, ranking among the top cities in Brazil for business due to high diversification and growth.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with major hospitals, including Santa Casa Montes Claros, recognized for its quality.
Drawbacks
Despite a decrease in violent crimes and homicides, robberies in Montes Claros increased by 20% between 2019 and 2024.
The average monthly net salary in Montes Claros is relatively low at $406, which is below the national GDP per capita.
The city faces challenges in business survival and density, indicating potential difficulties for new enterprises.
Montes Claros experienced difficulties with pediatric bed availability in 2024, highlighting a strain on healthcare resources.
Specific data on median age and comprehensive public transit/walkability scores are not readily available for recent years.
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.
Montes Claros
#2Minas Gerais, Brazil
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$304
Avg Salary
$406
Cost Index
63
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
69
Business
75
Johnstown
#112Pennsylvania, 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Montes Claros and Johnstown.
Open Cost Calculator