Performance
Score Breakdown
Cambridge
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cambridge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cambridge's average rent is
10% higher than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Cambridge | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,480 | $1,350 | +10% |
| Groceries | $340 | $400 | -15% |
| Utilities | $115 | $349 | -67% |
| Transport | $75 | $360 | -79% |
| Healthcare | $72 | $293 | -75% |
| Monthly Total | $2,082 | $2,752 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 19% 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 Cambridge is estimated at
$32,800 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Cambridge | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,490 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $32,800 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,635 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $66,681 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cambridge | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cambridge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
Cambridge scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cambridge leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cambridge | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cambridge is the larger city
— approximately 5.2x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Cambridge is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hazleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cambridge | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,908 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.36% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 8.10% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cambridge
Advantages
Cambridge crime rates are 26% lower than the national average, indicating a high level of safety. [cite: 14 in previous step]
The city boasts a strong and diverse industrial base, including advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors, with major employers like Toyota. [cite: 16, 21 in previous step]
Cambridge Memorial Hospital completed a major expansion by 2024, offering modern acute care facilities. [cite: 19, 35 in previous step]
The city offers extensive natural trails and is situated along the Grand River, providing ample outdoor recreational opportunities. [cite: 7, 13, 15, 38 in previous step]
Cambridge maintains a rich heritage character with distinctive limestone architecture and vibrant cultural districts like the Gaslight District. [cite: 7, 11, 13, 15, 26, 27 in previous step]
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo CMA was 8.1% as of July 2026, which is higher than the national average. [cite: 29 in previous step]
Housing costs are a significant concern, with average rent being higher than the Canadian national average and home prices substantial. [cite: 3, 4, 10, 13, 23, 24 in previous step]
Public confidence in the healthcare system in Cambridge was reported as lower compared to other regional municipalities in 2023. [cite: 9, 45, 49 in previous step]
The city has a relatively low Walk Score (33) and Transit Score (35), indicating a car-dependent environment for most errands. [cite: 19, 22, 30, 41 in previous step]
Specific pockets within Downtown Galt and other areas experience higher rates of minor crimes like property crime and visible homelessness.
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.
Cambridge
#22Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,480
Avg Salary
$40,490
Cost Index
85
Commute
min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.36%
Unemployment
8.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
Hazleton
#73Pennsylvania, 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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