Performance
Score Breakdown
Billings
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Billings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% lower compared to Hazleton.
| Metric | Billings | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,390 | $1,350 | +3% |
| Groceries | $364 | $400 | -9% |
| Utilities | $306 | $349 | -12% |
| Transport | $0 | $360 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $293 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,060 | $2,752 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Billings offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Billings delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Billings is estimated at
$71,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Billings | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,328 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $71,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,924 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $73,712 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Billings | 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
Billings has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
For walkability, Billings leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Billings | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Billings is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Billings is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Billings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Billings | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,723 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Billings
Advantages
Billings offers a relatively low cost of living, with an index of 95 compared to the U.S. average of 100.
The city boasts a strong and resilient economy, driven by key sectors like healthcare, energy, and agriculture, with a job growth rate of 1.35% (2023-2024).
Residents benefit from advanced healthcare services, including the Billings Clinic, recognized as the best hospital in Southeast Montana.
Billings provides abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with access to the Yellowstone River, Rimrocks, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
The average commute time is short, around 16.5 minutes, contributing to a more relaxed daily rhythm.
Drawbacks
The city has a low Transit Score of 25 and a Walk Score of 35, indicating high car dependency and limited public transportation options.
Safety scores are relatively low (40/100), and residents report lower feelings of safety in downtown areas compared to other communities.
Some everyday expenses, such as groceries and transportation, are slightly higher than the national average.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh weather conditions.
While the city has a bike score of 63, it does not have many dedicated bike lanes.
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.
Billings
#12Montana, USA
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,390
Avg Salary
$68,328
Cost Index
95
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
77
Business
68
Hazleton
#63Pennsylvania, 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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