Cost of Living in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Population 9,622 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

179
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Bala Cynwyd run well above the national baseline, with a median of $628,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $144,453 place the city among the better-paid Pennsylvania metros.

Bala Cynwyd sits roughly 5 miles west of Philadelphia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 170% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 206
Rent 138

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bala Cynwyd

The median home value in Bala Cynwyd is $628,400 — 106% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,812/month, 38% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $144,453/year is 94% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Pennsylvania's top state income tax rate is 3.1% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. The climate averages highs of 65.2°F and lows of 47.3°F, with about 23.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Bala Cynwyd has a cost of living index of 179 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 79% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$628,400
106% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$655,128
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,812/mo
38% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,120/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$779
1 BR
$871
2 BR
$1,065
3 BR
$1,337
4 BR
$1,547
Owner-occupied 69.8%
Renter-occupied 30.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,812
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,426/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
30.6 min
13% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
29.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
57.5%
Carpooled
4.8%
Public transit
6.0%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
29.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 3.1%
Total Sales Tax 6.3%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.3%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$144,453
94% above avg
Per Capita Income
$91,798
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
15% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor Force Participation
65.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.0%
Graduate degree 44.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.9
Male median age 41.1
Female median age 42.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.2°F
Avg Low
47.3°F
Annual Precip
44.1"
Annual Snowfall
23.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414453657483888679675646
Low °F 262834445464706861493931
Precip" 3.132.753.963.473.344.044.384.294.403.472.913.97
Snow" 7.18.43.60.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.23.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
63.6%
Good air days/yr
284
Max AQI recorded
221
PM2.5 days
144
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bala Cynwyd, PA?

Bala Cynwyd has a cost index of 179 (100 = national average). It is 79% above the national average.

What is average rent in Bala Cynwyd, PA?

The median gross rent in Bala Cynwyd is $1,812 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bala Cynwyd?

The median home value in Bala Cynwyd is $628,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bala Cynwyd?

The median household income in Bala Cynwyd is $144,453 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bala Cynwyd, PA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bala Cynwyd is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.

Is Bala Cynwyd, PA affordable?

Bala Cynwyd is above average in cost of living, with an index of 179 — about 79% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Bala Cynwyd?

Bala Cynwyd has average high temperatures of 65.2°F and average lows of 47.3°F. Annual precipitation is 44.1". Average annual snowfall is 23.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bala Cynwyd at a Glance

Population
9,622
Median Income
$144,453
Home Value
$628,400
Median Rent
$1,812/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Avg High Temp
65.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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