Altoona

Altoona, Pennsylvania Overview

Altoona scores 50.2/100 overall (C+), ranking #11 of 20 cities in Pennsylvania — below the state composite of 60.3. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 81/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 20/100.

Income & Employment in Altoona

The median household income in Altoona is $50,171, 32% below the statewide median of $73,823. The local unemployment rate of 3.4% is lower than the state’s 4.1%. Population declined 0.3%.

Safety in Altoona

Altoona reports 285.9 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 313 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 1853.9 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Altoona

With a cost of living index of 88.3, Altoona is well below the national average of 100, offering meaningful savings on everyday expenses. The median home value is $113,600. Median monthly rent is $789. Renters spend 18.9% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Education & Schools in Altoona

Altoona has a high school graduation rate of 81.7%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Per-pupil spending is $15,195. The city has 11 public schools serving 7,212 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Altoona

Altoona enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 56.9°F. Summers average 74.1°F. Winters average 41.7°F. Annual precipitation is 40.8 inches. The average commute of 16.5 minutes is notably short.

Frequently Asked Questions