Cost of Living in Cornwall, PA

Population 4,602 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

151
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cornwall skews considerably older than the national median, with an average age of 57. Reported household income of $102,861 often reflects pension and investment income rather than wages, which makes the local tax picture — especially property tax treatment — a larger factor than in working-age cities. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 55 miles west of Allentown, Cornwall is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 63% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 101
Rent 226

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

About the Cost of Living in Cornwall

The median home value in Cornwall is $307,400 — 1% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,974/month, 126% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $102,861/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.5%, 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 63.8°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, Cornwall has a cost of living index of 151 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$307,400
1% above avg
Median Rent
$2,974/mo
126% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
8.6x
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 75.0%
Renter-occupied 25.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,974
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,588/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
26.2 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
9.3%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
12.7%

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
$102,861
38% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,877
Unemployment Rate
0.5%
90% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Labor Force Participation
51.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.6%
Graduate degree 24.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 56.6
Male median age 51.4
Female median age 63.1

🌤 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 47 — Good
55.9%
Good air days/yr
265
Max AQI recorded
238
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cornwall, PA?

Cornwall has a cost index of 151 (100 = national average). It is 51% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cornwall, PA?

The median gross rent in Cornwall is $2,974 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cornwall?

The median home value in Cornwall is $307,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Cornwall?

The median household income in Cornwall is $102,861 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cornwall, PA?

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

Is Cornwall, PA affordable?

Cornwall is above average in cost of living, with an index of 151 — about 51% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Cornwall?

Cornwall 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.

Cornwall at a Glance

Population
4,602
Median Income
$102,861
Home Value
$307,400
Median Rent
$2,974/mo
Unemployment
0.5%
Avg High Temp
63.8°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Pennsylvania

Explore county-level cost of living data

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