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

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Wake Forest or is it cheaper to live in Altoona?
- Wake Forest is 37.0% more expensive than Altoona.

Which city has more affordable housing, Wake Forest or Altoona?
- Wake Forest housing costs are 264.9% more expensive than Altoona housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Altoona or is Health Care more affordable in Wake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 7.6% more in Wake Forest.
 Altoona, PAWake Forest, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries97.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock94.8100
 Housing37.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$483,600$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock96.2100
 Miscellaneous94.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Altoona

Reviews for Wake Forest    5 Reviews

Im a 22 year old male from Denver Colorado.im looking to relocate and transfer for work . Colorado has high taxes and high cost of living and also to much snow during  More

   |    Reply

Relocating from New York City three years ago took some adjustment and once settled in Wake Forest I was able to breath a little bit easier. The pace is something you  More

   |    Reply

The Triangle is a great place to work and live, more reasonable than the North but more expensive than most places in the South. We live in a beautiful  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Wake Forest


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.