City Comparison
State College vs Easton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Easton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
State College
Easton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Easton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: State College's average rent is
18% higher than Easton's.
| Metric | State College | Easton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,570 | +18% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $2,490 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 43% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, State College delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in State College is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Easton.
| Metric | State College | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $45,400 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,622 idx | 48,298 idx |
| Household Income | $45,424 | $69,348 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Easton sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | State College | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 53.00°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 82.70°F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | 22.40°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 38.30 in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | 19.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | 249 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
State College has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Easton.
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 | State College | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 67.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
State College is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Easton.
From a growth perspective, Easton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Easton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | State College | Easton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,050 | 29,739 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | 1.90% |
| Median Age | 21.2 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Easton
Advantages
Easton boasts a Walk Score of 67, making it 'Somewhat Walkable' with some errands achievable on foot.
The city offers a diverse job market with leading industries including Education and Health Care and Social Services.
Housing prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, with a median home price of approximately $221,000.
Easton has a rich historical background and a vibrant downtown area with cultural attractions and dining options.
The violent crime rate is reported to be significantly lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are reported to be above the national average by some sources, with a safety grade of C-.
Public transportation is described as 'some transit,' suggesting a moderate level of service.
There is a discrepancy in cost of living data, with some sources indicating it is higher than the national average.
Specific industry growth rates and detailed unemployment data for Easton are not readily available in the provided search results.
Humidity levels can be high, especially during summer months, potentially making temperatures feel warmer.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Easton
#427Pennsylvania, USA
56.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,570
Avg Salary
$45,400
Cost Index
94
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
67.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
65
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