City Comparison
Altoona vs State College
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Altoona scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Altoona
State College
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altoona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altoona's average rent is
46% lower than State College's.
| Metric | Altoona | State College | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,850 | -46% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,850 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 119 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 20% lower 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 State College.
| Metric | Altoona | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 54,622 idx |
| Household Income | $51,250 | $45,424 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Altoona sees 6.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Altoona | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 41.50 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 25.30 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 227 | 244 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
State College has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Altoona.
State College scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, State College leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altoona | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altoona is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of State College.
From a growth perspective, State College is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Altoona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altoona | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,196 | 41,050 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.21% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 21.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.00% |
| 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.
State College
Advantages
High walkability score, with many errands accomplishable on foot in the downtown area.
Strong educational environment due to the presence of Pennsylvania State University.
Vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals, arts events, and entertainment venues.
Lower than national average violent crime rate, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Affordable home care options compared to the state average.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
The median age in the borough is very low (21.2), indicating a significant student population which may influence the city's overall character and services.
While the borough is walkable, surrounding areas may have higher car dependency.
Crime rate is higher than the Pennsylvania state average, though lower than the national average for some metrics.
Median household income in the borough is significantly lower than the national average.
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
State College
#576Pennsylvania, USA
46.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
86
Business
68
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