Altoona, PA vs Wilkes-Barre, PA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Wilkes-Barre, with a 8.2% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 64 compared to 70 for Wilkes-Barre, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Wilkes-Barre 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 $939/month in Wilkes-Barre — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Altoona has cheaper rent, Wilkes-Barre actually has lower median home values ($108,000 vs $113,600).

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $47,970 in Wilkes-Barre (+4.6%). 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 23.5% in Wilkes-Barre.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 51.3°F). Wilkes-Barre receives more rainfall at 38.7" per year compared to 36.7" in Altoona.