Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% higher compared to Burlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
150% higher than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Burlington | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,635 | $655 | +150% |
| Groceries | $330 | $425 | -22% |
| Utilities | $111 | $239 | -54% |
| Transport | $72 | $387 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $149 | -53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,218 | $1,855 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Burlington offers 93% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Burlington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$58,490 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Burlington | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,679 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $58,490 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,446 idx | 27,742 idx |
| Household Income | $77,330 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Burlington is the larger city
— approximately 11.3x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Burlington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Johnstown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,805 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Consistently ranked as a top livable city in Canada, with 95% of residents rating their quality of life as 'Good' or 'Excellent'.
Strong and diversified economy with key industries including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and IT Communications.
Strategic location within the Golden Horseshoe, offering excellent transportation links to major cities like Toronto.
Abundant natural attractions, including Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous parks and trails.
Access to high-quality healthcare services through Joseph Brant Hospital, a comprehensive community teaching hospital.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the Canadian national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent for apartments is relatively high, with a 1-bedroom averaging $1,406 USD and a 2-bedroom averaging $1,684 USD.
While generally safe, some residents in 2024 expressed concerns about a perceived decline in safety.
Car dependency is medium, and specific public transit and walkability scores are not widely published, suggesting reliance on personal vehicles for many areas.
Limited number of general hospitals, with Joseph Brant Hospital being the primary facility for the city.
Johnstown
Advantages
The cost of living in Johnstown is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values in Johnstown are considerably more affordable than the national average, making homeownership accessible.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Johnstown has a strong healthcare sector with major employers like Conemaugh Health System, providing local job opportunities and medical services.
The city offers a rich historical and cultural experience, including museums and local sports teams.
Drawbacks
Johnstown's population is projected to decline, indicating potential challenges in growth and development.
The median household income in Johnstown is substantially lower than the national average.
A significant percentage of Johnstown families live in poverty, highlighting economic challenges.
The safety index for Johnstown is relatively low, suggesting concerns about crime.
Utilities and transportation costs are slightly higher than the national average, offsetting some of the housing affordability.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Burlington
#6Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,635
Avg Salary
$49,679
Cost Index
85
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
78
Business
70
Johnstown
#110Pennsylvania, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$655
Avg Salary
$25,800
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
60
Business
55
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