Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Hazleton.
| Metric | St. Louis | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,439 | $1,350 | +7% |
| Groceries | $385 | $400 | -4% |
| Utilities | $195 | $349 | -44% |
| Transport | $120 | $360 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $293 | -15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $2,752 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Louis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | St. Louis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $56,160 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Louis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hazleton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 8.4x the population of Hazleton.
From a growth perspective, Hazleton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 273,179 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
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.
St. Louis
#101Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
Hazleton
#74Pennsylvania, 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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