Altoona, PA vs Berkeley, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Altoona
84.4
#5 nationally
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Altoona leads in cost of living index (87 vs 222). Berkeley leads in median household income ($104,716 vs $50,435). Altoona leads in crime level (9.2 vs 17.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Altoona, PA | Berkeley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 84.4 (#5) | 59.6 (#1947) |
| Population | 42,788 | 118,962 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $144,245 | $1,460,437 |
| Median Household Income | $50,435 | $104,716 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 30.4 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 85 |
| Crime Level | 9.2 | 17.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 222 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+43.5 | D+53.6 |
B
84.4 Score
Altoona, PA
Small Pennsylvania city with local appeal
Median Home
$144,245
Population
42,788
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Altoona, PA →
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →