Hazleton, PA vs Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre is moderately more affordable than Hazleton, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Hazleton scores 74 compared to 70 for Wilkes-Barre, 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 $939/month in Wilkes-Barre — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wilkes-Barre is more affordable at $108,000 median vs $129,000.

Median household income in Hazleton is $43,379 compared to $47,970 in Wilkes-Barre (-9.6%). Wilkes-Barre 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 23.5% in Wilkes-Barre.