Cost of Living in Brownstown, PA

Population 3,482 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Brownstown a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $295,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Brownstown is about 50 miles southwest of Allentown, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 56% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 97
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Brownstown

The median home value in Brownstown is $294,600 — 3% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,109/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $100,094/year is 34% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.1%, 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 63.8°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, Brownstown has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$294,600
3% below avg
Median Rent
$1,109/mo
16% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.1x
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 94.8%
Renter-occupied 5.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,109
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,723/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
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.9%
Carpooled
11.4%
Walked
0.5%
Bicycle
5.9%
Work from home
6.3%

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
$100,094
34% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,355
Unemployment Rate
8.1%
69% above avg
Poverty Rate
0.8%
Labor Force Participation
70.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.3%
Graduate degree 6.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.8
Male median age 29.7
Female median age 31.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.8°F
Avg Low
42.8°F
Annual Precip
42.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404252647482868578665444
Low °F 222331405060656356443427
Precip" 2.592.203.333.343.444.784.203.524.693.783.063.13

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 58 — Moderate
29.6%
Good air days/yr
321
Max AQI recorded
304
PM2.5 days
61
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brownstown, PA?

Brownstown has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brownstown, PA?

The median gross rent in Brownstown is $1,109 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brownstown?

The median home value in Brownstown is $294,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Brownstown?

The median household income in Brownstown is $100,094 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brownstown, PA?

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

Is Brownstown, PA affordable?

Brownstown is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Brownstown?

Brownstown has average high temperatures of 63.8°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 42.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Brownstown at a Glance

Population
3,482
Median Income
$100,094
Home Value
$294,600
Median Rent
$1,109/mo
Unemployment
8.1%
Avg High Temp
63.8°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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