Altoona, PA vs Williamsport, PA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Williamsport, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 64 compared to 70 for Williamsport, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Williamsport 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 $825/month in Williamsport — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Altoona is more affordable at $113,600 median vs $146,500.

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $49,363 in Williamsport (+1.6%). 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 20.1% in Williamsport.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 51.3°F). Williamsport receives more rainfall at 43.5" per year compared to 36.7" in Altoona.