Performance
Score Breakdown
Altona
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altona's average rent is
20% higher than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Altona | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,618 | $1,350 | +20% |
| Groceries | $362 | $400 | -10% |
| Utilities | $208 | $349 | -40% |
| Transport | $69 | $360 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $293 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,257 | $2,752 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altona delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altona is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Altona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,008 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,726 idx | 49,196 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altona has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
Altona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altona is the larger city
— approximately 8.6x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Hazleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Altona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altona | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 281,136 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altona
Advantages
Altona has a strong job market, particularly in media, advertising, and creative industries.
The borough offers excellent public transport connections via S-Bahn and U-Bahn, ensuring easy commutes.
Altona is known for its diverse, family-friendly environment and beautiful Elbe river views.
The area features a lively cultural scene with numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and farmer's markets.
Altona is considered a safe place to live, with a safety rating of 4 out of 5.
Drawbacks
Rent in Altona is higher compared to some other districts within Hamburg.
Finding an apartment in Altona can be challenging due to high demand and low vacancy rates.
Some parts of Altona can feel too quiet in the evenings, depending on the specific neighborhood.
Parking can be confusing due to the prevalence of one-way streets.
There are reports of visible drug users and alcoholics near the train station, though they are generally described as peaceful.
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.
Altona
#2Hamburg, Germany
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,618
Avg Salary
$46,008
Cost Index
70
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
85.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
80
Business
70
Hazleton
#66Pennsylvania, 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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