Performance
Score Breakdown
Cold Lake
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to Cold Lake.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cold Lake's average rent is
85% higher than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $655 | +85% |
| Groceries | $321 | $425 | -24% |
| Utilities | $176 | $239 | -26% |
| Transport | $487 | $387 | +26% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $149 | +34% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $1,855 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cold Lake offers 80% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cold Lake delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cold Lake is estimated at
$40,000 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,347 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,526 idx | 27,742 idx |
| Household Income | $85,007 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Cold Lake scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Johnstown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cold Lake is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Cold Lake 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 | Cold Lake | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.18% | % |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 7.90% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cold Lake
Advantages
Average salary in Cold Lake is 19.6% higher than the Canadian national average as of July 2026.
The city benefits from significant defence investment, including a $525M investment at CFB Cold Lake for a Military Fighter Squadron Facility.
Cold Lake Transit offers a free public bus service, enhancing local mobility for residents.
Recent reports from May 2026 indicate a significant downward trend in crime rates, with crimes against persons down 51% and property crimes down 53% year-over-year.
The city is actively pursuing commercial and residential growth, with ongoing planning for future development.
Drawbacks
Cold Lake's overall crime rates are 214% higher than the national average, and violent crimes are 145% higher, based on estimated data.
The regional unemployment rate for Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake was 7.9% in June 2026, which is higher than the national average.
The Cold Lake Healthcare Centre is experiencing chronic understaffing in its emergency room, leading to increased wait times and concerns about patient care as of August 2026.
The city has a low walk score of 28 out of 100, indicating it is a car-dependent neighborhood where most errands require a vehicle.
Limited bike infrastructure, with a bike score of 45, makes cycling challenging for daily errands.
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.
Cold Lake
#24Alberta, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$46,347
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.18%
Unemployment
7.90%
Livability
72
Business
65
Johnstown
#106Pennsylvania, 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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