Altoona, PA vs Carson, 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
Carson
63.8
#1737 nationally
Carson leads in median household income ($103,045 vs $50,435). Altoona leads in cost of living index (87 vs 154). Altoona leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 27.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Altoona, PA | Carson, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 84.4 (#5) | 63.8 (#1737) |
| Population | 42,788 | 91,139 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $144,245 | $796,912 |
| Median Household Income | $50,435 | $103,045 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 9.2 | 11.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 154 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+43.5 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D
63.8 Score
Carson, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$796,912
Population
91,139
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Carson, CA →