Performance
Score Breakdown
Balneário Camboriú
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Balneário Camboriú is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
55% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Balneário Camboriú's average rent is
28% lower than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Balneário Camboriú | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $474 | $655 | -28% |
| Groceries | $165 | $425 | -61% |
| Utilities | $120 | $239 | -50% |
| Transport | $12 | $387 | -97% |
| Healthcare | $55 | $149 | -63% |
| Monthly Total | $826 | $1,855 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 78% 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 Balneário Camboriú is estimated at
$12,500 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Balneário Camboriú | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $5,796 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $12,500 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 8,917 idx | 27,742 idx |
| Household Income | $5,796 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Balneário Camboriú | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,500 minutes (208 hours) per year compared to Balneário Camboriú.
Balneário Camboriú scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Balneário Camboriú leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Balneário Camboriú | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 45 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 75.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 203.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Balneário Camboriú is the larger city
— approximately 8.8x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Balneário Camboriú is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Balneário Camboriú has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Balneário Camboriú | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,599 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.93% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.20% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Balneário Camboriú
Advantages
Balneário Camboriú boasts a strong tourism sector, attracting millions of visitors annually and offering numerous attractions and a vibrant nightlife.
The city is highly walkable, especially along its beachfront and main avenues, making it easy to explore on foot.
Healthcare infrastructure is improving significantly with new hospitals and substantial investments in existing facilities, such as the Hospital Regional Ruth Cardoso.
The state of Santa Catarina, where Balneário Camboriú is located, recorded the lowest unemployment rate in Brazil at 2.2% in Q4 2025.
Balneário Camboriú offers a high quality of life with beautiful beaches, diverse dining, and a lively cultural scene.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Balneário Camboriú is high, particularly for housing, which can be two to three times more expensive during peak tourist season.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, especially on major routes and during high tourism periods, leading to longer commute times.
The public transportation system is not as extensive as in larger Brazilian cities, leading to a higher reliance on private vehicles.
The job market is heavily seasonal, with many roles in tourism and hospitality being low-wage service positions.
Overcrowding is a common issue during the high tourism season, with the population swelling from 150,000 to over one million.
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.
Balneário Camboriú
#1Santa Catarina, Brazil
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$474
Avg Salary
$5,796
Cost Index
65
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
75.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.93%
Unemployment
2.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Johnstown
#106Pennsylvania, 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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