Performance
Score Breakdown
Kansas City
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kansas City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Hazleton.
| Metric | Kansas City | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,231 | $1,350 | -9% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $349 | -48% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $293 | -15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,231 | $2,752 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kansas City offers 57% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kansas City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kansas City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Kansas City | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,640 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $56,120 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kansas City | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Kansas City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kansas City | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kansas City is the larger city
— approximately 4.8x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Kansas City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kansas City | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 155,438 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kansas City
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing, groceries, and healthcare generally below national averages.
Strong job market with diverse opportunities in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
Home to nationally recognized healthcare facilities, including The University of Kansas Hospital, consistently ranked as a top hospital.
Vibrant cultural scene, known for its rich jazz heritage and world-famous barbecue.
Relatively quick commute times compared to other major urban areas.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, leading to high car dependency.
Unpredictable weather with cold winters, hot and humid summers, and a risk of tornadoes.
Lower walkability score compared to more pedestrian-friendly cities.
Certain areas experience higher violent crime rates, which can be a concern for residents.
The city is landlocked, lacking easy access to beaches or mountains.
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.
Kansas City
#21Kansas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,231
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
75
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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