| Index | Altoona | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 58 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 101 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Altoona is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Altoona is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Altoona stands out by reporting housing costs that are 42.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Is Altoona an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Altoona, the median home price is 49% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 26% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Altoona come in at $62,058, which is 23.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Altoona, healthcare costs are 2.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Altoona, the transportation index is 0.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Altoona, the groceries index is 2.4% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Altoona shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $87,420 | $7,285 | $2,040 | $2,623 |
| Renters | $32,034 | $2,670 | $747 | $961 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Northwood, PA | 126 | 81 | 18.9% |
| Ashville, PA | 167 | 82 | 18.3% |
| Patton, PA | 1,745 | 82 | 18.0% |
| Portage, PA | 2,563 | 83 | 17.2% |
| Birmingham, PA | 122 | 83 | 16.8% |
| Altoona, PA | 44,840 | 87 | 13.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Salem, MA | 44,881 | 135 | 35.3% |
| Moorhead, MN | 44,762 | 101 | 1.5% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 44,960 | 101 | 0.7% |
| Riverton, UT | 44,974 | 128 | 28.0% |
| Urbandale, IA | 45,000 | 106 | 5.7% |
| Altoona, PA | 44,840 | 87 | 13.2% |
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