Hazleton, PA vs New Kensington, PA

New Kensington is moderately more affordable than Hazleton, with a 13.8% lower cost of living index. Hazleton scores 74 compared to 65 for New Kensington, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hazleton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hazleton is $1,015/month compared to $694/month in New Kensington — a 46% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Kensington has cheaper rent, Hazleton actually has lower median home values ($129,000 vs $132,400).

Median household income in Hazleton is $43,379 compared to $49,644 in New Kensington (-12.6%). New Kensington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hazleton spend roughly 28.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.8% in New Kensington.