Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA vs Altoona, PA MSA

How do Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA and Altoona, PA MSA rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.

$1,520
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA (1BR)
$948
Altoona, PA MSA (1BR)
+60%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Metro
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA
$1,520/mo 1BR
Population: 6,232,894
Metro
Altoona, PA MSA
$948/mo 1BR
Population: 122,640

A 1-bedroom in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA is 60% more expensive than Altoona, PA MSA at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($1,520 vs $948). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.

How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?

Bedrooms Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA Altoona, PA MSA Difference
Studio $1,397 $802 +$595 (+74%)
1 Bedroom $1,520 $948 +$572 (+60%)
2 Bedroom $1,810 $1,138 +$672 (+59%)
3 Bedroom $2,170 $1,458 +$712 (+49%)
4 Bedroom $2,423 $1,705 +$718 (+42%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA is 58% above the US average. Altoona, PA MSA is 1% below.

Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).