Cost of Living in Downingtown, PA

Population 8,163 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

110
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Downingtown a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $323,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.4% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Downingtown is about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 39% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 106
Rent 116

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

About the Cost of Living in Downingtown

The median home value in Downingtown is $322,500 — 6% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,528/month, 16% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,292/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.4%, 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 61.9°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, Downingtown has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$322,500
6% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$570,223
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,528/mo
16% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,377/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
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 50.9%
Renter-occupied 49.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,528
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,142/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
26.5 min
2% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.2%
Carpooled
11.5%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
15.2%

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
$82,292
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,167
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
50% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor Force Participation
73.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.3%
Graduate degree 13.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.7
Male median age 39.6
Female median age 38.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.9°F
Avg Low
42.8°F
Annual Precip
47.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394150627180848275645343
Low °F 232431405059646255443428
Precip" 3.623.124.403.793.584.434.174.284.474.033.224.03

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
60.9%
Good air days/yr
248
Max AQI recorded
235
PM2.5 days
126
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
16
Public schools
13,079
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Downingtown, PA?

Downingtown has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Downingtown, PA?

The median gross rent in Downingtown is $1,528 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Downingtown?

The median home value in Downingtown is $322,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Downingtown?

The median household income in Downingtown is $82,292 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Downingtown, PA?

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

Is Downingtown, PA affordable?

Downingtown is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Downingtown?

Downingtown has average high temperatures of 61.9°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 47.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Downingtown at a Glance

Population
8,163
Median Income
$82,292
Home Value
$322,500
Median Rent
$1,528/mo
Unemployment
2.4%
Avg High Temp
61.9°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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