Performance
Score Breakdown
Nogales
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nogales is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
68% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nogales's average rent is
100% lower than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Nogales | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $655 | -100% |
| Groceries | $351 | $425 | -17% |
| Utilities | $100 | $239 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $387 | -72% |
| Healthcare | $32 | $149 | -79% |
| Monthly Total | $593 | $1,855 | -68% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 47% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nogales delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nogales is estimated at
$15,000 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Nogales | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,631 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,291 idx | 27,742 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nogales | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nogales has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Johnstown.
Johnstown 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 | Nogales | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nogales is the larger city
— approximately 16.8x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Nogales is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nogales has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nogales | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 295,484 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.08% | % |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nogales
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to the United States.
Strong economic activity driven by manufacturing and international trade.
Affordable and accessible healthcare services, attracting medical tourism.
Vibrant cultural scene influenced by its unique border location.
Perception of insecurity has been decreasing in recent years.
Drawbacks
Overall safety risk is considered high by some travel advisories due to regional crime.
Higher risks for personal safety, especially when walking alone at night.
Concerns regarding petty theft and vehicle theft.
Limited public transit infrastructure and walkability scores are not widely available.
Specific data for certain economic and demographic metrics are not consistently updated or available 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.
Nogales
#3Sonora, Mexico
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$13,631
Cost Index
45
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.08%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
62
Business
70
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Nogales and Johnstown.
Open Cost Calculator