Cost of Living in Dickson City, PA

Population 6,022 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Dickson City 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. At 8.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Dickson City is about 60 miles north of Allentown, the nearest large metro — 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 61
Rent 72

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

About the Cost of Living in Dickson City

The median home value in Dickson City is $184,700 — 39% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $951/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,343/year is 22% lower 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 61.0°F and lows of 41.6°F, with about 45.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Dickson City has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$184,700
39% below avg
Median Rent
$951/mo
28% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2x
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 65.1%
Renter-occupied 34.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$951
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,565/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
26.1 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.6%
Carpooled
11.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
2.9%
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
$58,343
22% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,911
Unemployment Rate
8.1%
68% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.8%
Graduate degree 11.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 45.8
Male median age 44.7
Female median age 46.4

🌤 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Dickson City, PA?

Dickson City has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Dickson City, PA?

The median gross rent in Dickson City is $951 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Dickson City?

The median home value in Dickson City is $184,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Dickson City?

The median household income in Dickson City is $58,343 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Dickson City, PA?

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

Is Dickson City, PA affordable?

Yes, Dickson City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Dickson City?

Dickson City 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.

Dickson City at a Glance

Population
6,022
Median Income
$58,343
Home Value
$184,700
Median Rent
$951/mo
Unemployment
8.1%
Avg High Temp
61.0°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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