Performance
Score Breakdown
Shenyang
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shenyang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% lower compared to Johnstown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shenyang's average rent is
59% lower than Johnstown's.
| Metric | Shenyang | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $271 | $655 | -59% |
| Groceries | $350 | $425 | -18% |
| Utilities | $89 | $239 | -63% |
| Transport | $50 | $387 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $149 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $860 | $1,855 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnstown offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Shenyang delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Shenyang is estimated at
$15,000 vs $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | Shenyang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $17,510 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,911 idx | 27,742 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shenyang | 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
Johnstown has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Shenyang.
Shenyang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shenyang leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shenyang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shenyang is the larger city
— approximately 528.9x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Shenyang is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shenyang has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Shenyang | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,276,000 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 44.0 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shenyang
Advantages
Shenyang boasts a very affordable cost of living, ranking among the least expensive cities globally.
The city has an extensive and efficient public transportation network, including a metro and tram system, with 100% urban coverage by bus stops.
Shenyang has been consistently recognized as one of China's happiest cities for three consecutive years, including 2024.
The city has a robust industrial foundation with trillion-yuan clusters in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automotive sectors.
Shenyang is actively enhancing its public service system for foreigners, including international hospitals and schools.
Drawbacks
Winters in Shenyang are known to be long and very cold.
While overall crime rates are low, Numbeo indicates a moderate problem with corruption and bribery.
The city's property market, like the national trend, has faced challenges with declines in investment and transaction volume in recent years.
Specific recent data for certain demographic metrics like median age and unemployment rate for Shenyang are not readily available.
Despite overall safety, isolated incidents of violent crime have been reported, such as a knife-related assault in July 2024.
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.
Shenyang
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$271
Avg Salary
$17,510
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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