Home project costs in Altoona, PA
Every project we cover, priced for the Altoona metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Altoona area is 89.5 against 100 for the US, which puts Altoona 248th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 100.7. BLS counts roughly 58,650 jobs here.
In Altoona, 9 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 26 below, and 3 are level with it. The biggest premiums are kitchen backsplash (+10%), retaining wall (+9%) and tile flooring (+9%); the biggest discounts are roof replacement (−11%), metal roof (−8%) and concrete driveway (−4%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Altoona 3 W, 4 miles away) shows a January average low of 19°F, a July average high of 81°F and 45 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Altoona
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $18.45 | $22.03 | $24.02 | $22.66 | 0.97 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $22.09 | $27.58 | $36.73 | $29.12 | 0.95 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $23.52 | $24.42 | $27.36 | $28.78 | 0.85 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $23.81 | $29.53 | $36.41 | $30.67 | 0.96 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $20.12 | $25.48 | $26.68 | $27.41 | 0.93 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $22.81 | $28.18 | $33.00 | $30.38 | 0.93 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $19.49 | $21.35 | $22.98 | $26.65 | 0.80 |
Concrete & paving in Altoona
The 7 jobs here average −2% versus the US in Altoona, from −4% (concrete driveway) to +7% (paver patio).
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Altoona | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Altoona | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,750 | −4% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Altoona | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,300 | −1% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Altoona | 1,000 sq ft | $2,400 – $9,750 | −4% |
| Paver patio cost in Altoona | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +7% |
| Concrete patio cost in Altoona | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −4% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Altoona | 400 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,650 | −3% |
Decks & outdoor in Altoona
The 2 jobs here average −2% versus the US in Altoona, from −3% (composite deck) to −2% (wood deck).
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Altoona | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,900 | −2% |
| Composite deck cost in Altoona | 300 sq ft | $11,700 – $23,500 | −3% |
Building & additions in Altoona
Across these 2 projects, Altoona averages −4% against national midpoints. Detached garage is highest at −3% and home addition lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Altoona | 576 sq ft | $28,100 – $56,300 | −3% |
| Home addition cost in Altoona | 300 sq ft | $36,500 – $73,900 | −4% |
Doors & windows in Altoona
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Altoona, from −2% (storm door) to level (window replacement).
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Altoona | 1 door | $680 – $3,650 | −2% |
| Storm door cost in Altoona | 1 door | $340 – $930 | −2% |
| Front door cost in Altoona | 1 door | $480 – $2,500 | −1% |
| Window replacement cost in Altoona | 10 windows | $4,500 – $15,000 | level |
| Patio door cost in Altoona | 1 door | $600 – $5,950 | −1% |
Fencing in Altoona
The 4 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Altoona, from −2% (chain-link fence) to −1% (vinyl fence).
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Altoona | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,550 | −2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Altoona | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,100 | −1% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Altoona | 150 linear ft | $1,500 – $6,000 | −2% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Altoona | 150 linear ft | $3,750 – $11,300 | −1% |
Roofing & exterior in Altoona
The 5 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Altoona, from −11% (roof replacement) to +1% (attic insulation).
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Altoona | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,350 – $11,300 | −11% |
| Metal roof cost in Altoona | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,950 – $30,100 | −8% |
| Gutters cost in Altoona | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −3% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Altoona | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,250 – $24,700 | −2% |
| Attic insulation cost in Altoona | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,050 | +1% |
Kitchen & bath in Altoona
Across these 5 projects, Altoona averages +3% against national midpoints. Kitchen backsplash is highest at +10% and kitchen cabinets lowest at −3%.
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Altoona | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $13,500 | −3% |
| Shower pan cost in Altoona | 1 pan | $1,000 – $2,900 | +5% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Altoona | 120 sq ft | $18,500 – $31,400 | level |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Altoona | 45 sq ft | $4,800 – $23,700 | +2% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Altoona | 30 sq ft | $340 – $1,650 | +10% |
Landscaping & drainage in Altoona
Across these 5 projects, Altoona averages level against national midpoints. Retaining wall is highest at +9% and French drain lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Altoona | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −4% |
| Retaining wall cost in Altoona | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,900 – $14,500 | +9% |
| Sod installation cost in Altoona | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Altoona | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,750 | −3% |
| Inground pool cost in Altoona | 450 sq ft | $36,900 – $115,000 | +2% |
Flooring & interior in Altoona
The 3 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Altoona, from level (hardwood flooring) to +9% (tile flooring).
| Project | Size | Altoona range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Altoona | 500 sq ft | $5,500 – $12,500 | level |
| Laminate flooring cost in Altoona | 500 sq ft | $2,050 – $7,100 | +1% |
| Tile flooring cost in Altoona | 200 sq ft | $2,850 – $10,700 | +9% |
Altoona against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Altoona prices −1% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 3 price higher and 3 lower. Winchester is the lowest at −8% (85 miles) and Pittsburgh the highest at +3% (80 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PAthis page | 89.5 | 100.7 | −1% | |
| State College, PA | 35 miles | 96.8 | 100.7 | +2% |
| Chambersburg, PA | 50 miles | 94.6 | 100.7 | −1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 65 miles | 98.7 | 100.7 | +2% |
| Hagerstown, MD | 65 miles | 94.2 | 96.4 | −6% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 80 miles | 94.7 | 100.7 | +3% |
| Winchester, VA | 85 miles | 96.5 | 96.7 | −8% |