A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
37%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Hazleton Pennsylvania National
Cost of living8998100
Goods & Services9699100
Groceries10299100
Health care9194100
Housing6391100
Transportation108106100
Utilities105107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Hazleton, PA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Hazleton is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Hazleton is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Is Hazleton Affordable?

Wondering if Hazleton is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Hazleton, for example, the median home price is 46.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Hazleton boasting a median household income of $38,010, which is 31.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hazleton?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Hazleton, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 3.07%.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Hazleton, the transportation index is 8.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Hazleton cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Hazleton is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Hazleton is 11% lower than the national average
  • Hazleton housing is 37% lower than the national average
  • Pennsylvania general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Pennsylvania state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Hazleton

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Compare Hazleton, PA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$49,252$4,104$1,149$1,478
      Renters$31,537$2,628$736$946
      The affordability of the housing market in Hazleton, PA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Hazleton homeowners, the median income is $49,252. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,149 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $31,537. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $736 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Pennsylvania Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Pennsylvania 6% 8%

      Pennsylvania Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Pennsylvania 3.07% 3.07%

      Goods & Services

      Item Hazleton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.86$24.262.5%
      Beauty Salon $36.67$45.5619.5%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.9%
      Movie $9.90$12.1318.4%
      Bowling $17.39$18.003.4%

      Groceries

      Item Hazleton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.93$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.53$1.572.7%
      Milk $4.58$4.672.0%
      Potatoes $5.36$4.938.7%
      Pizza $10.88$12.0910.0%
      Beer $13.28$10.4127.5%

      Health Care

      Item Hazleton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $83.44$125.6833.6%
      Doctor $105.97$135.7822.0%
      Dentist $109.14$113.293.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.75$10.650.9%
      Lipitor $493.33$468.605.3%

      Housing

      Item Hazleton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $98,300.00$184,700.0046.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,439.22$2,346.6938.7%
      Apartment Rent $825.00$949.0013.1%

      Transportation

      Item Hazleton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.69$3.466.6%
      Tire Balancing $67.65$59.9212.9%

      Utilities

      Item Hazleton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $207.34$193.996.9%
      Phone $195.27$192.251.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Delano, PA2217722.7%
      Shenandoah, PA4,7897821.6%
      Gilberton, PA5378217.6%
      Mahanoy City, PA3,9638118.7%
      Lansford, PA3,7618614.4%
      Hazleton, PA24,8048910.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Clinton, MS24,797945.8%
      Decatur, GA24,81414343.4%
      Paris, TX24,814945.6%
      Rosemount, MN24,79211414.3%
      Ardmore, OK24,8348614.0%
      Hazleton, PA24,8048910.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.