Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Located in the state of Pennsylvania, Altoona is a moderately-sized city with a population of 44,840 inhabitants. Altoona has a population density of 4,580 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. At 93%, the majority of the Altoona population is White; this is followed by 4% Black and 0% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Altoona will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 19 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Altoona could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Pennsylvania if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Altoona and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Pennsylvania and national averages.
Altoona, PA receives 78/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #224 in Pennsylvania and #2,204 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Altoona ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Altoona also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Altoona ranks well for cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A+) Unfortunately for Altoona, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (D) and employment (D).
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Altoona excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Altoona is actually affordable. The median home price for Altoona homes is $166,716, which is 43.7% lower than the Pennsylvania average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Altoona, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 27% lower than the Pennsylvania average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Altoona | Pennsylvania | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.6% | 76.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 8.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.8% | 5.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.3% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.7% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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