Performance
Score Breakdown
Gatineau
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gatineau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Hazleton.
| Metric | Gatineau | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,350 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $349 | -48% |
| Transport | $90 | $360 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $293 | -15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,273 | $2,752 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gatineau offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gatineau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gatineau is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Gatineau | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gatineau | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Gatineau.
Gatineau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gatineau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gatineau | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gatineau is the larger city
— approximately 9.5x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Gatineau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gatineau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gatineau | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,193 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.01% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gatineau
Advantages
Gatineau offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Ottawa, with an aggregate house price of $438,000 in 2024, approximately $300,000 less than Ottawa.
The city is recognized as one of Canada's most affordable cities, ranking 15th on a list by Royal LePage in 2024.
Gatineau provides a more affordable housing market, with median single-family home prices around $490,000, similar to the previous year, and condos slightly increasing to $312,000.
The city is part of the National Capital Region, offering access to a broad job market and a wide range of industries, particularly in public administration and technology.
Gatineau boasts a rich natural environment with Gatineau Park offering extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.
Drawbacks
Rental prices in Gatineau have increased, with average rents climbing by 7.6% in 2024, exceeding national inflation and making it difficult to secure affordable housing.
The housing market faces pressure from population growth and migration from Ottawa, leading to low vacancy rates and affordability challenges.
While public transit is available, Gatineau is generally car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle.
Healthcare services in Gatineau may have longer wait times and less robust emergency care compared to Ottawa.
Childcare costs are substantially lower in Gatineau, but there are limited English-speaking education options.
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.
Gatineau
#13Quebec, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.01%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Hazleton
#73Pennsylvania, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$49,688
Cost Index
101
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
7.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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