Altoona, PA vs Harrisburg, PA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Harrisburg, with a 13.2% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 64 compared to 74 for Harrisburg, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harrisburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $789/month compared to $996/month in Harrisburg — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Altoona is more affordable at $113,600 median vs $121,000.

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $47,783 in Harrisburg (+5%). 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 25% in Harrisburg.