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City Report · PA

Altoona

Pop. 43,196·142nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·Altoona rents are up 29.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,138/mo
Year-over-Year
+29.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.8%
vs US Median
-$827
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Altoona · $1,138
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,138/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$46,000/yr
Local median income
$51,250/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Altoona's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$730
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,060
3 BR
$1,330
4 BR+
$1,530
Research median
$1,060/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$13,656/yr
At $1,138/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 29.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+29.0% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Altoona, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
43,196
Median income
$51,250
Median age
40.4
Renters
36.1%
Age distribution
20.9%
22%
25.5%
13.8%
17.9%
Under 1820.9%
18–3422%
35–5425.5%
55–6413.8%
65+17.9%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
88.5%
White88.5%
Black3.8%
Hispanic1.6%
Asian0.8%
Other5.2%
Education (25+)
49%
23.7%
20.5%
No HS diploma6.8%
HS diploma49%
Some college23.7%
Bachelor's+20.5%
Housing tenure
63.9%
36.1%
Owner63.9%
Renter36.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Altoona, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,010 → $51,250
up 11.4%
Population
44,114 → 43,196
down 2.1%
Renter share
35.9% → 36.1%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
18.5% → 20.5%
+2.0 pts
Median age
39.6 → 40.4
+0.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $46,010 in 2021 to $51,250 more recently. The population has contracted by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 44,114 residents to roughly 43,196. College-educated residents now make up 20.5% of adults here, versus 18.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Altoona

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View Altoona rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Altoona on your salary?

At $1,138/mo, how Altoona rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Altoona rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Altoona. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Altoona

About renting in Altoona, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Altoona is $1,138/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,060/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,330/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($51,250/yr), Altoona ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 29.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Altoona an affordable city for renters?

Altoona is considered affordable for renters. At $1,138/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($51,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Altoona falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Altoona?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $46,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,138/mo in Altoona. The local median household income is $51,250/yr, meaning the typical Altoona household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Altoona?

Rent in Altoona has increased 29.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Altoona rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Altoona is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #142 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,138/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Altoona?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Altoona ($1,138/mo): Johnstown ($864/mo), DuBois ($1,045/mo).

What percentage of Altoona residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.1% of Altoona households are renters, while 63.9% are owner-occupied. Altoona leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Altoona rent compare to the national average?

Altoona's median rent of $1,138/mo is $827 (42%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #142 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,138/mo, rent takes ~27% of Altoona's median household income ($51,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Altoona 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Altoona affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Altoona, PA

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