Performance
Score Breakdown
Shijiazhuang
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shijiazhuang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
66% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shijiazhuang's average rent is
64% lower than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $237 | $655 | -64% |
| Groceries | $250 | $425 | -41% |
| Utilities | $70 | $239 | -71% |
| Transport | $20 | $387 | -95% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $149 | -66% |
| Monthly Total | $627 | $1,855 | -66% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 62% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Shijiazhuang delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Shijiazhuang is estimated at
$9,000 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,729 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $9,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,916 idx | 27,742 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Shijiazhuang.
Shijiazhuang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shijiazhuang leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shijiazhuang is the larger city
— approximately 641.3x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Shijiazhuang is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shijiazhuang has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,246,900 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 44.0 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $128.7B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shijiazhuang
Advantages
Strategic industrial development in biomedicine, new-generation electronic information, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Extensive and developing public transportation network, including metro and bus systems.
Relatively low cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to many major cities.
High perceived safety with very low crime rates reported.
Significant economic growth, with the city's GDP reaching $128.69 billion USD in 2025.
Drawbacks
Average monthly net salary is relatively low at approximately $811 USD.
Nominal residential property price growth has seen declines in early 2026.
Historically, air pollution has been a concern, though recent data is not available.
Limited specific data available for certain metrics like unemployment rate and median age.
Summers can be hot and humid, and winters freezing and dry.
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.
Shijiazhuang
#5Hebei, China
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$237
Avg Salary
$9,729
Cost Index
25
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
65
Business
70
Johnstown
#105Pennsylvania, 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
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