2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lancaster, PA vs Altoona, PA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Altoona or is it cheaper to live in Lancaster?
- Altoona is 22.4% less expensive than Lancaster.

Which city has more affordable housing, Altoona or Lancaster?
- Altoona housing costs are 48.9% less expensive than Lancaster housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lancaster or is Health Care more affordable in Altoona.
- Health related expenses are 21.5% less in Altoona.
 Lancaster, PAAltoona, PAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock77.2100
 Food & Groceries102.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.1100
 Housing73.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$119,400$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock82.4100
 Miscellaneous113.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Lancaster    14 Reviews

Lancaster is really nice in some parts, but it seems like the further away you get from downtown the worse it gets. I grew up around Saint Joseph and manor and saw  More

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I was there last weekend and was extremely favorably impressed. The only hesitation, and question, I have about the place is the high crime rate. It is hard to tell from  More

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Over 11 years ago

Lancaster is the nation's oldest inland city located in central PA amid Amish farmlands. Walkable and soon to be bike friendly, it offers a variety of great restaurants  More

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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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