Signals
State College
Augusta-Waterville
Growth
67 · Top 23%
vs67 · Top 24%
Climate
61 · Bottom 33%
vs57 · Bottom 18%
Physical resilience
89 · Top 5%
vs77 · Top 19%
Housing affordability
81 · Bottom 22%
vs95 · Top 49%
Access
55 · Bottom 17%
vs63 · Bottom 26%
Economic stability
32 · Bottom 23%
vs53 · Top 47%
Measured values
| Metric | State College | Augusta-Waterville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,576 | 126,808 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $74,291 | $69,077 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,316 | $38,597 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 143/sq mi | 146/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $323,500 | $238,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,207 | $992 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.8% | 73.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46.2% | 31.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 16.3% | 11.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 481 | 517 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.0 | 4.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 54.2% | 7.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 80°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 12°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.3" | 41.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 75 mi | 53 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.6 min | 26.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.2 | 43.7 | 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.
Physical risk tradeoff
State College
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Augusta-Waterville
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
State College
68
Your Score
76
Area Score
Augusta-Waterville
69
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: State College, PA Metro Area · Augusta-Waterville, ME Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology