Altoona, Pennsylvania
Among the top 12% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B+, better than 82% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 80% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 49% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 88% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 10% of US places
- top 2% for cost of living
- top 2% for natural disaster risk
- bottom 12% for air quality
Altoona is a mid-size city in Pennsylvania with about 44,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for lifestyle & connectivity. Standout strengths include cost of living, natural disaster risk, and commute time. It rates lower on park & nature access and air quality.
Official websitealtoonapa.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
very cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
cold
v.cold
75%44%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.1 in3.0 in
humid 44%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$50k29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$40kbetter than 98% of US places
Home Value$111k29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$795better than 66% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 79% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.23%better than 37% of US places
Income Tax4.70%better than 58% of US places
State 3.10% + Local 1.60%
Sales Tax6.34%better than 77% of US places
Estimated total tax burden9.49%better than 55% of US places
Unemployment6.0%better than 31% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)27°F32nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)71°F19th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation44.7 in59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall38.1 inbetter than 24% of US places
Sunny Days254 daysbetter than 72% of US places
Summer Humidity60°Fbetter than 75% of US places
Comfortable Days88 daysbetter than 65% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk15.0better than 98% of US places
Air Quality52 AQIbetter than 12% of US places
School Quality60.1better than 53% of US places
Violent Crime1125/100kbetter than 30% of US places
Property Crime778/100kbetter than 57% of US places
Community
Population43,82197th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.744th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1744th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9543rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+4471st percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)89.9%61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.0%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)1.9%39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.5%64th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.7%68th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 94% of US places
Walkability10.8/20better than 89% of US places
Airport Distance96 mibetter than 39% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access81.8%better than 35% of US places
Amenities Nearby20.31better than 21% of US places
Park & Nature AccessLimitedbetter than 14% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Altoona an affordable place to live?
- Altoona is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $40k, better than 98% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Altoona?
- The median home value in Altoona is $111k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Altoona?
- Median household income in Altoona is $50k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Altoona?
- Median gross rent in Altoona is $795 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Altoona safe?
- Altoona is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1125/100k (better than 30%). Property crime is 778/100k.
- What is the weather like in Altoona?
- Altoona averages 71°F in July and 27°F in January, with 44.7 in of annual precipitation and about 254 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Altoona?
- Public-school quality in Altoona is about average, scoring better than 53% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Altoona?
- The average one-way commute in Altoona is 17 min.
Places near Altoona
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)