salaryRent is lower than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 17.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,400 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 42 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Altoona?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Altoona
| Size | Altoona | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $410 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $700 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $877 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,182 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,503 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Altoona overall?
Everyday prices in the Altoona metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 89.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Altoona
Life in Altoona
What jobs pay in Altoona
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $129,480 | 8.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $123,270 | 9.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,930 | 9.6% |
| Software Developer | $101,670 | 11.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,680 | 12.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $92,880 | 12.4% |
| Operations Manager | $83,580 | 13.8% |
| Lawyer | $83,390 | 13.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,410 | 14.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,070 | 15.3% |
| Police Officer | $70,560 | 16.3% |
| Accountant | $65,690 | 17.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,920 | 18.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,740 | 18.7% |
| Plumber | $61,430 | 18.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,680 | 19.3% |
| Electrician | $58,620 | 19.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,550 | 19.7% |
| Carpenter | $57,360 | 20.1% |
| Truck Driver | $52,010 | 22.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,140 | 29.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,870 | 29.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,540 | 30.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,970 | 31.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,210 | 33.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,370 | 40.6% |
| Cashier | $27,830 | 41.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,630 | 41.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Altoona?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $128 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $119,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Altoona, PA?
Renting in Altoona costs a median of about $960 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Altoona?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,400 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Altoona cheap or expensive?
Altoona is rated OK: rent takes 20.8% of the typical household income of $55,273. It ranks 42nd cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Altoona?
The median homeowner in Altoona pays $1,369 a year in property taxes, about 1.14% of the median home value.
Is Altoona more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Altoona?
The median home value in Altoona is $119,900, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
43,196 people live in Altoona. Numbers are typical (middle) values.