Altoona, PA vs York, PA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than York, with a 10.1% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 64 compared to 71 for York, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of York 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 $958/month in York — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Altoona has cheaper rent, York actually has lower median home values ($103,100 vs $113,600).

Median household income in Altoona is $50,171 compared to $47,115 in York (+6.5%). 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 24.4% in York.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 52.4°F). York receives more rainfall at 42.1" per year compared to 36.7" in Altoona.