Performance
Score Breakdown
Indianapolis
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hazleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Indianapolis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Indianapolis's average rent is
17% lower than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,123 | $1,350 | -17% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $327 | $349 | -6% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $900 | $293 | +207% |
| Monthly Total | $2,920 | $2,752 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Indianapolis offers 53% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Indianapolis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Indianapolis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,444 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $66,219 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Indianapolis.
Hazleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Indianapolis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 29.36 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Indianapolis is the larger city
— approximately 27.9x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Indianapolis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 910,638 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.33% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Indianapolis
Advantages
The cost of living in Indianapolis is approximately 10.3% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Indianapolis boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Logistics, and Advanced Manufacturing.
The average commute time in Central Indiana is relatively short at 24.6 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The city has a thriving sports and hospitality sector, attracting major events and offering numerous entertainment options.
Housing inventory is increasing, providing more options for buyers, and median home prices remain competitive.
Drawbacks
Indianapolis has a higher crime rate compared to many U.S. cities, with a BaseScore of 44/100 and a safety index indicating it's safer than only 3% of American cities.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options outside of the downtown core.
The average salary in Indianapolis, at $76,000 annually, is lower than the national average.
Rental prices have experienced rapid growth in recent years, impacting affordability for some residents.
Traffic congestion is increasing, leading to more time lost in traffic for commuters.
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.
Indianapolis
#64Indiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
70
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Indianapolis and Hazleton.
Open Cost Calculator