State College

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State College, PA Area Guide

Welcome to the proud home of Penn State University

University College Town Entertainment Suburban

Welcome to State College, Pennsylvania, affectionately known as "Happy Valley" and home to Pennsylvania State University. This college town combines academic spirit with small-town charm. The downtown area bustles with activity, featuring independent shops and diverse dining options along College and Beaver Avenues. Housing options include apartment communities in the downtown district and rental homes in established neighborhoods like College Heights and Holmes-Foster, where tree-lined streets showcase the area's architectural heritage. Current rental trends show steady growth, with average one-bedroom apartments commanding $1,315 per month, reflecting a 5.5% increase over the past year.

State College offers abundant recreational opportunities and cultural attractions. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts transforms downtown each July, welcoming more than 125,000 visitors. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Rothrock State Forest's extensive trail system. Beaver Stadium anchors the community's sports scene during home game weekends. The area features distinct neighborhoods, from the historic Highlands district to Orchard Park. The downtown area offers walkable access to shops and restaurants, while neighborhoods like Tusseyview and College Heights provide tree-lined streets and park access. With its combination of educational institutions, cultural activities, and natural surroundings, State College welcomes residents seeking both short-term and long-term homes.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in State College, PA is $1,187 for a studio, $1,417 for one bedroom, $1,616 for two bedrooms, and $1,749 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in State College has increased by 7.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,417/month
663 Sq Ft
House
$1,874/month
1,133 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,624/month
1,201 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in State College, PA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly State College, PA is for everyday living.

Somewhat Walkable

60 / 100

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

Minimal Transit

18 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Bikeable

65 / 100

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Corl Street El School

Public

Grades K-5

Radio Park El School

Public

Grades K-5

Park Forest El School

Public

Grades K-5

Mt. Nittany Elemenary

Public

Grades K-5

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • EMS Museum and Art Gallery
  • Arboretum at Penn State
  • Lederer Park
  • The Frost Entomological Museum
  • Walnut Springs Park

Airports

  • State College Regional

Top Apartments in State College

Houses for Rent in State College

Property Management Companies in State College, PA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.