Cost of Living in Clarks Summit, PA

Population 5,058 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Clarks Summit 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. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 65 miles north of Allentown, Clarks Summit is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 25% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 87

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

About the Cost of Living in Clarks Summit

The median home value in Clarks Summit is $236,900 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,147/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,442/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, 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 61.0°F and lows of 41.6°F, with about 45.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Clarks Summit has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$236,900
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$335,470
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,147/mo
13% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,776/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.2x
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 76.4%
Renter-occupied 23.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,147
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,761/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
19.1 min
29% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
9.2%
Walked
1.7%
Work from home
15.7%

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
$91,442
23% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,499
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
64% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor Force Participation
67.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.4%
Graduate degree 27.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44
Male median age 45.1
Female median age 43.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.0°F
Avg Low
41.6°F
Annual Precip
38.7"
Annual Snowfall
45.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617280858275635140
Low °F 202229395058636154433426
Precip" 2.592.072.773.263.263.803.613.854.153.712.852.80
Snow" 11.710.910.10.80.00.00.00.00.00.73.27.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
63%
Good air days/yr
292
Max AQI recorded
218
PM2.5 days
140
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,425
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Clarks Summit, PA?

Clarks Summit has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in Clarks Summit, PA?

The median gross rent in Clarks Summit is $1,147 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Clarks Summit?

The median home value in Clarks Summit is $236,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Clarks Summit?

The median household income in Clarks Summit is $91,442 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Clarks Summit, PA?

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

Is Clarks Summit, PA affordable?

Yes, Clarks Summit is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Clarks Summit?

Clarks Summit has average high temperatures of 61.0°F and average lows of 41.6°F. Annual precipitation is 38.7". Average annual snowfall is 45.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Clarks Summit at a Glance

Population
5,058
Median Income
$91,442
Home Value
$236,900
Median Rent
$1,147/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Avg High Temp
61.0°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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