State College

State College, Pennsylvania Overview

With a composite score of 55.3/100 and a B grade, State College ranks #6 of 20 cities in Pennsylvania. Its strongest showing is in Safety (92/100), while Fiscal Health (5/100) represents its largest gap.

Income & Employment in State College

The median household income in State College is $47,132, 36% below the statewide median of $73,823. The local unemployment rate of 3.4% is lower than the state’s 4.1%. Population declined 0.1%.

Safety in State College

At 154.7 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, State College sits meaningfully below the Pennsylvania average of 313 — a 102% lower gap. The property crime rate is 717.6 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in State College

State College has a cost of living index of 93.2 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $414,400. Median monthly rent is $1,229. Renters allocate 31.3% of income to rent — above the 30% affordability threshold. The price-to-income ratio of 8.8x suggests home buyers face a stretched market.

Education & Schools in State College

State College’s high school graduation rate of 96% is well above average, reflecting strong local school performance. The student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $21,712 per student, well above the national median. The city has 12 public schools serving 6,521 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in State College

State College enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 56.8°F. Summers average 73.9°F. Winters average 41.5°F. Annual precipitation is 41.7 inches. 9.5% of commuters use public transit. The average commute of 14.2 minutes is notably short.

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