City Comparison
Altoona vs Bethlehem
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Altoona scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Altoona
Bethlehem
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altoona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altoona's average rent is
44% lower than Bethlehem's.
| Metric | Altoona | Bethlehem | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,800 | -44% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $227 | -23% |
| Transport | $110 | $60 | +83% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,787 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Altoona offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altoona delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altoona is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Bethlehem.
| Metric | Altoona | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 51,869 idx |
| Household Income | $51,250 | $68,879 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Altoona sees 7.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Altoona | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | 82.90°F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | 22.70°F |
| Rainfall | 41.50 in | 39.40 in |
| Snowfall | 25.30 in | 18.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 227 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altoona has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bethlehem.
Altoona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altoona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altoona | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Altoona.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Altoona | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,196 | 80,563 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.15% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altoona
Advantages
Median home property values in Altoona remain exceptionally affordable at roughly $161,000 per Zillow and Census data.
Average monthly rent is approximately $1,000, sitting roughly 40% below the national average per Zillow.
Average commute times are short, typically hovering around 18 to 20 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to stunning outdoor recreational destinations like the Horseshoe Curve and Canoe Creek State Park.
Low violent crime rates provide a peaceful and secure environment for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Economic growth and population trends show a slight multi-year decline per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Median household income trails both state and national benchmarks significantly.
Limited high-paying corporate or advanced tech job opportunities locally compared to larger metro areas.
Public transit options are relatively limited, making owning a personal vehicle virtually essential.
winters bring cold temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall requiring winterized preparation.
Bethlehem
Advantages
Bethlehem's population is projected to grow by 1.15% annually in 2026, indicating a growing and dynamic community.
The median household income in Bethlehem was $68,879 in 2024, showing a 3.67% one-year growth.
The average rent in Bethlehem is 5% below the national average as of September 2026, making it a more affordable place to live.
The median property value in Bethlehem increased by 10.1% in 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market for homeowners.
The cost of home care in Bethlehem is approximately 16% lower than the Pennsylvania average and 22% lower than the national average as of September 2026.
Drawbacks
The poverty rate in Bethlehem was 15.69% in 2026.
While rent is generally affordable, it has increased by 3.4% in the past year as of September 2026.
The median individual income in Bethlehem was $36,225 in 2024, which is lower than the median household income.
Home prices fell about 2.4% a year between 2015 and 2024, an unusual pattern compared to rising rents.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem grew by 5.37% between 2023 and 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Altoona
#285Pennsylvania, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
227/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
62
Bethlehem
#295Pennsylvania, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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