State College

Students and faculty of State College have a short commute to the Penn State Main Campus.
The Pickle's Taproom is the popular place for students and alumni in Downtown State College.
There are many leafy, peaceful neighborhoods in the State College area.
Penn State Golf Courses offer State College residents 36 holes of pristine golfing.
Enjoying coffee at the Downtown State College Farmers Market.

State College, PA Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,390

Population

42,728

Renter Mix

79% Rent

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.

Explore the City

When school is in session, Penn State is a lively place and State College comes alive.

Penn State Golf Courses offer State College residents 36 holes of pristine golfing.

There are many leafy, peaceful neighborhoods in the State College area.

Enjoying coffee at the Downtown State College Farmers Market.

State Theatre is a popular place for students and residents to catch a movie in State College.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$38,752

Average: $70,363

Education

17,115

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

15,961

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

26 Years

Largest Age Group

20-29 Years

Approximately 47% of Residents

Under 20

20%

Over 65

7%

Housing Distribution

State College has more renters than homeowners.

Renters
79%
Non-Renters
21%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
32%
Other Education
68%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in State College, PA is $1,170 for a studio, $1,392 for one bedroom, $1,620 for two bedrooms, and $1,751 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in State College has increased by 7.2% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,392/month
665 Sq Ft
House
$2,011/month
609 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,910/month
1,254 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in State College, PA

Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

60 / 100

Some Public Transit

Transit

40 / 100

Moderately Drivable

Drivability

60 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Radio Park El School

Public

Grades K-5

396 Students

Spring Creek Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

369 Students

Corl Street El School

Public

Grades K-5

239 Students

Mt. Nittany Elemenary

Public

Grades K-5

430 Students

Park Forest El School

Public

Grades K-5

430 Students

State College Area High School

Public

Grades 6-12

2,410 Students

Park Forest Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

815 Students

Mount Nittany Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

695 Students

Centre Learning Community Charter School

Public

Grades K-8

75 Students

Young Scholars of Central PA CS

Public

Grades K-8

371 Students

State College Area High School

Public

Grades 6-12

2,410 Students

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.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.