Altoona, PA vs Reading, PA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Reading, with a 12.7% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 64 compared to 74 for Reading, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Reading 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 $1,018/month in Reading — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Altoona has cheaper rent, Reading actually has lower median home values ($109,800 vs $113,600).

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $45,599 in Reading (+10%). 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 26.8% in Reading.