Altoona, PA vs Erie, PA

Altoona, PA and Erie, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Altoona scores 64 while Erie scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $789/month compared to $836/month in Erie — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Altoona has cheaper rent, Erie actually has lower median home values ($108,200 vs $113,600).

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $43,397 in Erie (+15.6%). Altoona offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23.1% in Erie.