Cost of Living in Bellefonte, PA

Population 6,022 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bellefonte is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $57,157 and housing costs ($233,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.2% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 120 miles east of Pittsburgh, Bellefonte is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 76
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in Bellefonte

The median home value in Bellefonte is $232,500 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $900/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,157/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.2%, 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 59.1°F and lows of 38.4°F. Overall, Bellefonte has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$232,500
24% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$302,600
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$900/mo
32% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,298/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.5x
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 48.7%
Renter-occupied 51.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$900
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,514/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
21.5 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.7%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
1.8%
Walked
5.6%
Work from home
11.3%

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
$57,157
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,955
Unemployment Rate
1.2%
75% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor Force Participation
66.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.7%
Graduate degree 13.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45
Male median age 45.6
Female median age 43

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.1°F
Avg Low
38.4°F
Annual Precip
40.3"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343847607078828173624938
Low °F 181926364655595750403123
Precip" 2.812.333.133.903.684.373.603.463.813.153.172.93

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
65.5%
Good air days/yr
199
Max AQI recorded
177
PM2.5 days
188
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,681
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bellefonte, PA?

Bellefonte has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bellefonte, PA?

The median gross rent in Bellefonte is $900 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bellefonte?

The median home value in Bellefonte is $232,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bellefonte?

The median household income in Bellefonte is $57,157 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bellefonte, PA?

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

Is Bellefonte, PA affordable?

Yes, Bellefonte is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bellefonte?

Bellefonte has average high temperatures of 59.1°F and average lows of 38.4°F. Annual precipitation is 40.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bellefonte at a Glance

Population
6,022
Median Income
$57,157
Home Value
$232,500
Median Rent
$900/mo
Unemployment
1.2%
Avg High Temp
59.1°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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