2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Altoona, PA vs Cary, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cary or is it cheaper to live in Altoona?
- Cary is 37.0% more expensive than Altoona.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cary or Altoona?
- Cary housing costs are 320.9% more expensive than Altoona housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Altoona or is Health Care more affordable in Cary.
- Health related expenses are 7.6% more in Cary.
 Altoona, PACary, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries97.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock94.8100
 Housing37.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$574,400$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock86.4100
 Miscellaneous94.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Altoona    11 Reviews

Sun rises and sets over 2000+ ft. mountains, which does seem to shorten your summer days. It gets hot and humid in the summer, with not a lot of wind or airflow,  More

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Over 5 years ago

Though the climate in Altoona is cold in the Winter, it does often get less snow than Western Pennsylvania because of the Allegheny Front mountain range just to the west  More

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I grew up in Hollidaysburg near Altoona. The city has had its ups and downs throughout the years but all in all I think that central PA has the most beautiful scenery  More

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Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

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Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   More

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