Performance
Score Breakdown
Phoenix
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hazleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Phoenix.
Housing costs are a major driver: Phoenix's average rent is
11% higher than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Phoenix | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,492 | $1,350 | +11% |
| Groceries | $426 | $400 | +7% |
| Utilities | $391 | $349 | +12% |
| Transport | $64 | $360 | -82% |
| Healthcare | $380 | $293 | +30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,753 | $2,752 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 1% 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 Phoenix is estimated at
$52,974 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Phoenix | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,356 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $52,974 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,006 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $81,332 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phoenix | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 14.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Phoenix.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phoenix leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phoenix | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 51.4x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Phoenix is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Phoenix | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,677,947 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.75% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, 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.
Phoenix
#49Arizona, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
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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