Performance
Score Breakdown
Prince George
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prince George is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prince George's average rent is
45% lower than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Prince George | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $748 | $1,350 | -45% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $176 | $349 | -50% |
| Transport | $44 | $360 | -88% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $293 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,418 | $2,752 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 1633 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 94% 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 Prince George is estimated at
$3,413 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Prince George | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,181 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $3,413 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 195 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $104,700 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Prince George | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 57.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Prince George has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
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 | Prince George | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Prince George is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Prince George is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prince George has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Prince George | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,708 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.48% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prince George
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs compared to other major cities in British Columbia, offering substantial savings for residents.
Short average commute times, often around 15-17 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities year-round, including skiing, snowshoeing, and lake activities.
A resilient and diverse economy with strong sectors in forestry, resources, logistics, and healthcare.
Serves as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and government services, providing essential amenities and employment.
Drawbacks
Winters can be harsh with temperatures dropping significantly and substantial snowfall.
Labor market faces challenges due to an aging workforce and shortages in certain skilled trades and healthcare occupations.
Population growth has been modest, with recent stagnation attributed to a decline in non-permanent residents and limited net in-migration.
Competitiveness in industrial sectors needs to be improved relative to Northern Alberta, where land is cheaper and approvals are quicker.
Public transportation system is considered "okay" and car dependency is medium to high for most residents.
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.
Prince George
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$748
Avg Salary
$3,181
Cost Index
1633
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
5.48%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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