Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamilton Township
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hamilton Township is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamilton Township's average rent is
59% higher than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,151 | $1,350 | +59% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $315 | $349 | -10% |
| Transport | $0 | $360 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $293 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,466 | $2,752 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 114 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 100% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hamilton Township is estimated at
$79,392 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $79,392 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $100,771 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Hamilton Township.
Hamilton Township scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamilton Township leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 72.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hamilton Township is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Hamilton Township is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hamilton Township has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hamilton Township | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,267 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamilton Township
Advantages
Affordable housing with good value compared to other regional options in New Jersey.
Strong sense of community with numerous parks, recreational facilities, and annual events.
Strategic location offering easy access to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia via road and public transit.
Lower municipal property taxes compared to neighboring towns in Mercer County.
Recognized as a "Healthy Town Gold Level" for its commitment to community health and wellness programs.
Drawbacks
Some residents desire more diverse dining and nightlife options.
Concerns about motor vehicle enforcement and reckless driving in certain areas.
Infrastructure improvements, such as addressing potholes, are desired by residents.
Limited public transportation options beyond key bus routes and the train station, leading to car dependency for many errands.
Average rent prices are higher than the national average.
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.
Hamilton Township
#21New Jersey, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,151
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
114
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
72.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
68
Hazleton
#62Pennsylvania, 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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