Performance
Score Breakdown
Hilo
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hazleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Hilo.
| Metric | Hilo | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,466 | $1,350 | +9% |
| Groceries | $600 | $400 | +50% |
| Utilities | $475 | $349 | +36% |
| Transport | $150 | $360 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $293 | -32% |
| Monthly Total | $2,891 | $2,752 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 146 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hazleton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hilo is estimated at
$98,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Hilo | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,708 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $98,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 28,567 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $81,779 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hilo | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Hilo.
Hazleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hazleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hilo | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 23.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hilo is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Hilo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hilo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hilo | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,404 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hilo
Advantages
Hilo boasts a lush, tropical environment with abundant natural beauty, including waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.
The city is a cultural hub, hosting significant events like the Merrie Monarch Festival, celebrating Hawaiian culture.
The job market in Hilo saw a healthy employment growth rate of 4.88% from 2023 to 2024.
Healthcare and Educational Services are strong and growing industries, offering stable employment opportunities.
The homeownership rate in Hilo is 66.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Hilo is significantly higher than the national average, particularly for housing, utilities, and groceries.
Hilo has a high property crime rate, which is 41% higher than the national average, making residents more susceptible to theft.
Public transportation is minimal and unreliable, making the city largely car-dependent for daily errands and commutes.
Utility costs, especially for electricity, are exceptionally high due to reliance on imported fuel.
The average rent for apartments, particularly 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units, is considerably higher than many mainland cities.
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.
Hilo
#64Hawaii, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,466
Avg Salary
$41,708
Cost Index
146
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
23.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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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