City Comparison
State College vs Johnstown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnstown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
State College
Johnstown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: State College's average rent is
182% higher than Johnstown's.
| Metric | State College | Johnstown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $655 | +182% |
| Groceries | $450 | $425 | +6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $239 | -25% |
| Transport | $120 | $387 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $149 | +68% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $1,855 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 152% 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 $35,000 in Johnstown.
| Metric | State College | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $25,800 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,622 idx | 27,742 idx |
| Household Income | $45,424 | $37,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
State College runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — State College sees 18.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | State College | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
State College has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Johnstown.
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 | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
State College is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, State College is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, State College has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | State College | Johnstown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,050 | 17,539 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | — |
| Median Age | 21.2 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 5.80% |
| 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.
Johnstown
Advantages
The cost of living in Johnstown is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values in Johnstown are considerably more affordable than the national average, making homeownership accessible.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Johnstown has a strong healthcare sector with major employers like Conemaugh Health System, providing local job opportunities and medical services.
The city offers a rich historical and cultural experience, including museums and local sports teams.
Drawbacks
Johnstown's population is projected to decline, indicating potential challenges in growth and development.
The median household income in Johnstown is substantially lower than the national average.
A significant percentage of Johnstown families live in poverty, highlighting economic challenges.
The safety index for Johnstown is relatively low, suggesting concerns about crime.
Utilities and transportation costs are slightly higher than the national average, offsetting some of the housing affordability.
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
Johnstown
#569Pennsylvania, USA
47.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$655
Avg Salary
$25,800
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
60
Business
55
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