Performance
Score Breakdown
Summerside
Hazleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Summerside is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
46% lower compared to Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Summerside's average rent is
35% lower than Hazleton's.
| Metric | Summerside | Hazleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $882 | $1,350 | -35% |
| Groceries | $312 | $400 | -22% |
| Utilities | $186 | $349 | -47% |
| Transport | $46 | $360 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $293 | -83% |
| Monthly Total | $1,476 | $2,752 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hazleton offers 38% 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 Summerside is estimated at
$35,280 vs $45,000 in Hazleton.
| Metric | Summerside | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,659 | $49,688 |
| Salary Needed | $35,280 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,969 idx | 49,196 idx |
| Household Income | $45,050 | $46,177 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Summerside | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Summerside scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hazleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Summerside | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hazleton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Summerside.
From a growth perspective, Summerside 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 | Summerside | Hazleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,557 | 32,657 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | 0.31% |
| Median Age | 44.9 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 7.60% | 7.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Summerside
Advantages
Growing economy with diversification into aerospace, IT, and renewable energy sectors.
Lower housing costs compared to many larger Canadian cities, attracting retirees and remote workers.
Strong sense of community and welcoming environment.
Access to local produce and seafood, contributing to a good quality of life.
Municipally owned electric utility, demonstrating leadership in green energy initiatives.
Drawbacks
Summerside's crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, particularly for property and violent crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent due to limited public transit options.
Average salaries in Summerside are lower than the Canadian national average.
The unemployment rate in Prince Edward Island (and by extension, Summerside) is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is becoming a concern, with incomes lagging behind rising home prices, making it challenging for some residents.
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.
Summerside
#24Prince Edward Island, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$882
Avg Salary
$30,659
Cost Index
99
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
7.60%
Livability
70
Business
72
Hazleton
#63Pennsylvania, 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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