Cost of Living in Catasauqua, PA

Population 6,491 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

74
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Catasauqua can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $202,000 against $74,363 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Catasauqua is part of the immediate Allentown metro area — 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

Housing 66
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Catasauqua

The median home value in Catasauqua is $201,600 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,130/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,363/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, 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 63.3°F and lows of 42.8°F, with about 33.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Catasauqua has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$201,600
34% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$279,628
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
14% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,775/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9x
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 73.3%
Renter-occupied 26.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,130
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,744/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
24.5 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.9%
Carpooled
6.8%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
2.1%
Work from home
10.5%

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
$74,363
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,589
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
36% above avg
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor Force Participation
72.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.8%
Graduate degree 12.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 34.6
Female median age 40.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.3°F
Avg Low
42.8°F
Annual Precip
47.4"
Annual Snowfall
33.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384251637482868477665443
Low °F 222331405160656355443427
Precip" 3.302.773.633.673.654.405.304.564.844.143.243.86
Snow" 9.810.86.30.50.00.00.00.00.00.20.94.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
63.4%
Good air days/yr
337
Max AQI recorded
229
PM2.5 days
134
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,510
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Catasauqua, PA?

Catasauqua has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in Catasauqua, PA?

The median gross rent in Catasauqua is $1,130 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Catasauqua?

The median home value in Catasauqua is $201,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Catasauqua?

The median household income in Catasauqua is $74,363 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Catasauqua, PA?

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

Is Catasauqua, PA affordable?

Yes, Catasauqua is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Catasauqua?

Catasauqua has average high temperatures of 63.3°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 47.4". Average annual snowfall is 33.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Catasauqua at a Glance

Population
6,491
Median Income
$74,363
Home Value
$201,600
Median Rent
$1,130/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
63.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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