Cost of Living in Bristol, PA

Population 9,874 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

86
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Bristol is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $70,595 and housing costs ($236,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 15 miles east of Philadelphia, Bristol falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Philadelphia's $232,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 97

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

About the Cost of Living in Bristol

The median home value in Bristol is $236,400 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,281/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,595/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 65.6°F and lows of 47.2°F. Overall, Bristol has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$236,400
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$333,690
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,281/mo
3% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
Favors buying
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 61.3%
Renter-occupied 38.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,281
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,895/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
32.0 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.0%
Carpooled
10.1%
Public transit
3.9%
Walked
3.7%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
9.9%

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
$70,595
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$39,369
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor Force Participation
70.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.0%
Graduate degree 9.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 41.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.6°F
Avg Low
47.2°F
Annual Precip
45"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424553657583888679685747
Low °F 272835445464696860483831
Precip" 3.342.573.963.773.613.874.324.224.523.633.194.00

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
81.4%
Good air days/yr
200
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
296
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,264
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bristol, PA?

Bristol has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bristol, PA?

The median gross rent in Bristol is $1,281 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bristol?

The median home value in Bristol is $236,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bristol?

The median household income in Bristol is $70,595 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bristol, PA?

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

Is Bristol, PA affordable?

Yes, Bristol is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Bristol?

Bristol has average high temperatures of 65.6°F and average lows of 47.2°F. Annual precipitation is 45". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Bristol at a Glance

Population
9,874
Median Income
$70,595
Home Value
$236,400
Median Rent
$1,281/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
Avg High Temp
65.6°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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