Cost of Living in Chambersburg, PA

Population 22,051 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Chambersburg is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 22000 residents, where median household incomes of $56,177 and housing costs ($196,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Chambersburg is about 65 miles northwest of Columbia, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 59% lower than Columbia's $480,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 64
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Chambersburg

The median home value in Chambersburg is $196,200 — 36% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,088/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,177/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, 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 64.4°F and lows of 46.4°F. Overall, Chambersburg has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$196,200
36% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$280,779
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,088/mo
17% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,197/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0x
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 43.4%
Renter-occupied 56.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,088
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,702/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
20.7 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.5%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
4.9%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
7.0%

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
$56,177
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,562
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
14% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Labor Force Participation
59.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.7%
Graduate degree 10.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.2
Male median age 37.5
Female median age 44.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.4°F
Avg Low
46.4°F
Annual Precip
35.6"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414453657483878578665444
Low °F 252734445564686659473730
Precip" 2.461.973.043.333.553.362.942.903.832.762.632.83

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 39 — Good
88.7%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
301
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17:1
Student-teacher ratio
17
Public schools
9,456
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chambersburg, PA?

Chambersburg has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Chambersburg, PA?

The median gross rent in Chambersburg is $1,088 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Chambersburg?

The median home value in Chambersburg is $196,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Chambersburg?

The median household income in Chambersburg is $56,177 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Chambersburg, PA?

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

Is Chambersburg, PA affordable?

Yes, Chambersburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Chambersburg?

Chambersburg has average high temperatures of 64.4°F and average lows of 46.4°F. Annual precipitation is 35.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Chambersburg at a Glance

Population
22,051
Median Income
$56,177
Home Value
$196,200
Median Rent
$1,088/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Avg High Temp
64.4°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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