Signals
Altoona
Salem
Growth
24 · Bottom 13%
vs26 · Bottom 15%
Climate
64 · Bottom 43%
vs62 · Bottom 37%
Physical resilience
87 · Top 7%
vs77 · Top 18%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
63 · Bottom 26%
vs84 · Top 34%
Economic stability
55 · Top 44%
vs41 · Bottom 36%
Measured values
| Metric | Altoona | Salem | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,277 | 100,704 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $62,382 | $58,180 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,639 | $33,491 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 231/sq mi | 189/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $161,100 | $151,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $885 | $756 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.4% | 72.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.4% | 17.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 15.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 90 | 61 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 0.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -14.3% | 13.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 21°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 60 mi | 34 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.7 min | 26.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 43.1 | 44.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Altoona, PA Metro Area · Salem, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology