Cost of Living in State College, PA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,145 (excluding rent), and $2,348 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,181 (excluding rent), and $4,470 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.19 $18.19

$15.16 $15.16

$50.5 $50.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.3 $52.3

$45.67 $45.67

$178 $178

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.10 $9.10

$8.09 $8.09

$13.15 $13.15

Cappuccino

$4.56 $4.56

$3.04 $3.04

$8.11 $8.11

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.71 $2.71

$2.01 $2.01

$3.52 $3.52

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.81 $1.81

$2.68 $2.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.93 $4.93

$2.96 $2.96

$7.88 $7.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.10 $7.10

$5.07 $5.07

$10.14 $10.14

Milk (1 liter)

$0.93 $0.93

$0.54 $0.54

$1.35 $1.35

White Bread (500g)

$3.39 $3.39

$1.54 $1.54

$8.65 $8.65

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.81 $1.81

$6.75 $6.75

Eggs

$3.98 $3.98

$1.75 $1.75

$7.53 $7.53

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.79 $9.79

$26.81 $26.81

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.33 $8.33

$4.39 $4.39

$16.44 $16.44

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.99 $11.99

$6.35 $6.35

$18.89 $18.89

Apples (1kg)

$3.55 $3.55

$1.97 $1.97

$6.53 $6.53

Banana (1kg)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.07 $1.07

$2.11 $2.11

Oranges (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$1.90 $1.90

$7.50 $7.50

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$2.89 $2.89

$6.98 $6.98

Potato (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.81 $1.81

$6.80 $6.80

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.01 $2.01

$7.76 $7.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.16 $2.16

$2.05 $2.05

$5.64 $5.64

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.48 $1.48

$0.97 $0.97

$5.23 $5.23

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.23 $14.23

$13.24 $13.24

$17.32 $17.32

Wine (Bottle)

$17.83 $17.83

$15.46 $15.46

$24.78 $24.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.30 $1.30

$3.08 $3.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$5.11 $5.11

$8.75 $8.75

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.16 $2.16

$2.46 $2.46

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$85.2 $85.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.24 $5.24

$3.74 $3.74

$5.24 $5.24

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.29 $2.29

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$44.79 $44.79

$39.81 $39.81

$44.79 $44.79

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 $0.94

$0.85 $0.85

$0.99 $0.99

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.7K $23.7K

$36.4K $36.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.1K $24.1K

$22.2K $22.2K

$25.5K $25.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$161 $161

$102 $102

$407 $407

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$40.55 $40.55

$20.11 $20.11

$60.3 $60.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.5 $60.5

$29.85 $29.85

$104 $104

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.07 $25.07

$17.55 $17.55

$50.1 $50.1

Cinema Ticket

$12.05 $12.05

$20.08 $20.08

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$899 $899

$499 $499

$1,598 $1,598

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$28.0K $28.0K

$12.7K $12.7K

$31.8K $31.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.19 $45.19

$24.73 $24.73

$55.0 $55.0

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.22 $40.22

$30.17 $30.17

$58.8 $58.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.2 $81.2

$45.68 $45.68

$152 $152

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 $116

$40.36 $40.36

$353 $353

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,499 $1,499

$1,199 $1,199

$1,898 $1,898

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,176 $1,176

$1,008 $1,008

$1,345 $1,345

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,885 $2,885

$1,630 $1,630

$4,726 $4,726

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,005 $2,005

$1,381 $1,381

$2,660 $2,660

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,663 $2,663

$2,073 $2,073

$3,709 $3,709

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,211 $2,211

$2,072 $2,072

$2,357 $2,357

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,277 $4,277

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: February 28, 2026

State College, PA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in State College, PA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in State College, PA, United States tends to sit at a steady, center-ground level for a college town, offering accessibility without the price spikes of larger metros. You'll find value in campus-driven events, casual eateries near student neighborhoods, and a pace that favors budgeting over luxury. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the town rewards longer stays with predictable costs and reliable services, plus easy access to outdoor recreation and short commutes. Expect quieter summers and lively autumns around football season. Tip: Map your housing and transport around the university calendar to strike the best balance.

Daily life in State College, PA, United States living cost revolves around walkable neighborhoods, campus-adjacent housing, and a mix of small markets and larger stores. Housing search is less frantic than big cities: look for options near campus if you value quick commutes, or explore quieter blocks a little farther out for more space. Grocery choices range from cooperative markets to campus vendors. For getting around, the bus system is capable, and biking is common; you'll appreciate straightforward routes and parking options near centers of activity. Co-working spaces, libraries, and cafe hotspots support remote work or study sessions, with seasonal spots adjusting to student rhythms. Tip: Track transit schedules and seasonal crowd patterns to optimize routines.

A practical budgeting framework helps you stretch a modest income in State College, PA, United States, while preserving a comfortable rhythm. Start with a simple budgeting framework: housing and utilities take the largest share, groceries and meals the next, and transport and extras the rest; adjust for football season or semester breaks. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to campus without the most intense crowds if you value quiet evenings, or seek a lively area within easy walking distance if you feed off activity. Free or low-cost campus events, seasonal farmers markets, and bike-friendly routes amplify quality of life without heavy spend. Tip: pair a short-term lease with a longer-term plan to test neighborhoods before committing.