City Comparison
Williamsport vs State College
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Williamsport scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williamsport
State College
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williamsport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williamsport's average rent is
49% lower than State College's.
| Metric | Williamsport | State College | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,850 | -49% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,850 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 119 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Williamsport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Williamsport is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in State College.
| Metric | Williamsport | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,465 idx | 54,622 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $45,424 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — State College sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williamsport | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 81.70°F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | 19.40°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | 244 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Williamsport | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
State College is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Williamsport.
From a growth perspective, State College is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Williamsport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Williamsport | State College |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,481 | 41,050 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.21% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 21.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Williamsport
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly below the national average per US Census Bureau data.
World-famous birthplace of Little League Baseball, offering unique cultural events and community pride.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including the Susquehanna River and nearby state forests.
Strong local healthcare sector anchored by UPMC Williamsport providing comprehensive medical services.
Rich Victorian architectural heritage and a vibrant downtown arts and dining scene.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails behind the broader national and state averages per Census estimates.
Public transit options are limited outside the primary fixed-bus routes, requiring high car dependency.
Limited high-paying corporate or tech sector job growth compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for winter weather conditions.
Gradual population stagnation over recent decades impacting broader municipal tax revenue.
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.
Williamsport
#417Pennsylvania, USA
57.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
73
Business
64
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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