City Comparison
Erie vs State College
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Erie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Erie
State College
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Erie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: Erie's average rent is
43% lower than State College's.
| Metric | Erie | State College | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,850 | -43% |
| Groceries | $304 | $450 | -32% |
| Utilities | $406 | $180 | +126% |
| Transport | $398 | $120 | +232% |
| Healthcare | $152 | $250 | -39% |
| Monthly Total | $2,310 | $2,850 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 119 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Erie offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Erie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Erie is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in State College.
| Metric | Erie | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,233 idx | 54,622 idx |
| Household Income | $46,113 | $45,424 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 49 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Erie sees 55.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Erie | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 78.00°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 50.30 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 73.90 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 195 | 244 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
State College has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Erie.
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 | Erie | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Erie is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x 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, Erie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Erie | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,533 | 41,050 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.21% |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 21.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Erie
Advantages
Erie offers a cost of living that is 13.7% lower than the national average, with housing costs being particularly affordable.
The average rent in Erie is approximately $1,050 per month, significantly below the national average.
The average commute time in Erie is 19.6 minutes, considerably shorter than the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes.
Erie provides access to extensive outdoor recreation opportunities due to its location on Lake Erie and proximity to Presque Isle State Park.
Healthcare costs in Erie are approximately 12% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Erie has a higher crime rate than the average U.S. city, with a 'C-' overall crime grade and 'D-' for violent crime.
The city's population has been in decline, with a projected annual rate of change of -0.7% for 2026.
While some areas are walkable, Erie is generally considered car-dependent for most errands.
Utility costs in Erie are about 7% higher than the national average.
The median year of construction for homes in Erie is 1961, indicating an older housing stock that may require updates.
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.
Erie
#561Pennsylvania, USA
47.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
195/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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