Cost of Living in Bloomsburg, PA
Population 12,906 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Bloomsburg sits on the smaller end of the Pennsylvania city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 31% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Bloomsburg is about 60 miles northwest of Allentown, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Allentown's $189,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bloomsburg
The median home value in Bloomsburg is $186,100 — 39% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $937/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,096/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.4%, above 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 61.4°F and lows of 40.7°F. Overall, Bloomsburg has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 36 | 39 | 49 | 62 | 72 | 81 | 84 | 82 | 76 | 64 | 52 | 41 |
| Low °F | 20 | 21 | 29 | 38 | 49 | 59 | 62 | 60 | 52 | 41 | 32 | 25 |
| Precip" | 2.68 | 2.06 | 3.06 | 3.56 | 3.55 | 3.94 | 4.18 | 3.73 | 4.51 | 3.78 | 3.05 | 2.81 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bloomsburg, PA?
Bloomsburg has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.
What is average rent in Bloomsburg, PA?
The median gross rent in Bloomsburg is $937 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bloomsburg?
The median home value in Bloomsburg is $186,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bloomsburg?
The median household income in Bloomsburg is $49,096 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bloomsburg, PA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bloomsburg is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.
Is Bloomsburg, PA affordable?
Yes, Bloomsburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Bloomsburg?
Bloomsburg has average high temperatures of 61.4°F and average lows of 40.7°F. Annual precipitation is 40.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Bloomsburg at a Glance
- Population
- 12,906
- Median Income
- $49,096
- Home Value
- $186,100
- Median Rent
- $937/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 61.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Pennsylvania Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs