Cost of Living in East Petersburg, PA

Population 4,575 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

89
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

East Petersburg 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.4% — below most comparable cities in the state.

East Petersburg is about 55 miles southwest of Allentown, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 31% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 81
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in East Petersburg

The median home value in East Petersburg is $248,100 — 19% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,323/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $86,614/year is 16% 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 63.8°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, East Petersburg has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$248,100
19% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$135,056
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,323/mo
1% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.6x
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 90.1%
Renter-occupied 9.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,323
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,937/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
21.7 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.5%
Carpooled
5.2%
Public transit
0.9%
Work from home
7.8%

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
$86,614
16% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,547
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
50% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor Force Participation
73.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.8%
Graduate degree 12.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.8
Male median age 49.1
Female median age 46.2

🌤 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 58 — Moderate
29.6%
Good air days/yr
321
Max AQI recorded
304
PM2.5 days
61
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in East Petersburg, PA?

East Petersburg has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.

What is average rent in East Petersburg, PA?

The median gross rent in East Petersburg is $1,323 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in East Petersburg?

The median home value in East Petersburg is $248,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in East Petersburg?

The median household income in East Petersburg is $86,614 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in East Petersburg, PA?

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

Is East Petersburg, PA affordable?

Yes, East Petersburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in East Petersburg?

East Petersburg 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.

East Petersburg at a Glance

Population
4,575
Median Income
$86,614
Home Value
$248,100
Median Rent
$1,323/mo
Unemployment
2.4%
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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