Performance
Score Breakdown
Johnstown
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
60% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johnstown's average rent is
81% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Johnstown | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $655 | $3,382 | -81% |
| Groceries | $425 | $520 | -18% |
| Utilities | $239 | $370 | -35% |
| Transport | $387 | $130 | +198% |
| Healthcare | $149 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,855 | $4,652 | -60% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 74% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Johnstown is estimated at
$35,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Johnstown | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $25,800 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,742 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $37,888 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Johnstown | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Johnstown | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Johnstown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New York City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johnstown | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,539 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Johnstown
#99Pennsylvania, 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
New York City
#64New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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