Median Age
26 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 47% of Residents
Under 20
20%
Over 65
7%
State College, PA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,374
Population
42,728
Renter Mix
79% Rent
Welcome to the proud home of Penn State University
University
•
College Town
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Entertainment
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.
Popular Neighborhoods
Explore the City
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 Theatre is a popular place for students and residents to catch a movie in State College.
When school is in session, Penn State is a lively place and State College comes alive.
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.
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 July 2026, the average apartment rent in State College, PA is $1,210 for a studio, $1,374 for one bedroom, $1,617 for two bedrooms, and $1,746 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in State College has increased by 4.0% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,374/month
665 Sq Ft
House
$2,305/month
1,326 Sq Ft
Learn More About State College
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly State College, PA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Some Public Transit
Transit
40
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
60
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
424 Students
Public
Grades K-5
250 Students
Public
Grades K-5
413 Students
Spring Creek Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
360 Students
Centre Learning Community Charter School
Public
Grades K-8
67 Students
State College Area High School
Public
Grades 6-12
2,403 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
822 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
752 Students
Centre Learning Community Charter School
Public
Grades K-8
67 Students
Young Scholars of Central PA CS
Public
Grades K-8
371 Students
State College Area High School
Public
Grades 6-12
2,403 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
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
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Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Nearby City Guides
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 June 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.