Cost of living index
Altoona, PA
89.5 / 100
Living in Altoona, PA is 10.5% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
89.5
Housing / rent
55
vs US average
−10.5%
What it costs to live in Altoona, PA
Altoona, PA has an overall price level of 89.5 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 10.5% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 55 it is 45.0% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Altoona, PA an expensive place to live?
Altoona, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 89.5, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 10.5% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Altoona, PA?
Housing in Altoona, PA scores 55 against a US average of 100 — roughly 45.0% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Altoona, PA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Altoona, PA sit at 89.5 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 55. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.