Altoona, PA vs Hazleton, PA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Hazleton, with a 13.2% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 64 compared to 74 for Hazleton, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hazleton 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 $1,015/month in Hazleton — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Altoona is more affordable at $113,600 median vs $129,000.

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $43,379 in Hazleton (+15.7%). 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 28.1% in Hazleton.