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Moving Guides/State College

Moving to State College

What you need to know before relocating to State College, Pennsylvania. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is State College a Good Place to Live?

Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, State College compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($1,198/mo) is below the national average; low unemployment rate (2.9%) signals a strong job market; violent crime rate (266/100k) is well below the national average.

State College at a Glance

Population
158K
Median Income
$69,101
Median Rent
$1,198/mo
Median Home Price
$322,900
Unemployment
2.9%
Avg Commute
63398 min

Cost of Living in State College

The median rent in State College is $1,198/month, while the median home value is $322,900. With a median household income of $69,101, residents spend roughly 21% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the State College metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
14% below
Home Price vs. National Avg
6% above

Job Market

State College has a median household income of $69,101, which is 7% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in State College

The violent crime rate in State College is 266 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% below the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 1579 per 100,000 residents.

Education in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a high school graduation rate of 92% and per-pupil spending of $21,441/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1.

38% of Pennsylvania adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

Pennsylvania has 328 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 5.9% uninsured rate, and 3.0 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Pennsylvania is 77.6 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in State College

+Pros

  • ✓Rent ($1,198/mo) is below the national average
  • ✓Low unemployment rate (2.9%) signals a strong job market
  • ✓Violent crime rate (266/100k) is well below the national average
  • ✓High school graduation rate of 92%
  • ✓Low uninsured rate (5.9%) and good healthcare access

-Cons

  • ✗Longer-than-average commute (63398 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is State College a good place to live?⌄

State College, Pennsylvania has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($1,198/mo) is below the national average and low unemployment rate (2.9%) signals a strong job market. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.

What is the cost of living in State College?⌄

The median rent in State College is $1,198/month and the median home value is $322,900. The median household income is $69,101. Overall the metro is considered average.

Is State College safe?⌄

State College has a violent crime rate of 266 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in State College?⌄

State College has an unemployment rate of 2.9%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $69,101.

Explore More About State College