Cost of Living in Elizabethtown, PA

Population 11,857 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

75
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Elizabethtown can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $223,000 against $67,770 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 3.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Elizabethtown is about 60 miles north of Baltimore, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Baltimore's $219,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 79

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

About the Cost of Living in Elizabethtown

The median home value in Elizabethtown is $222,600 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,038/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,770/year is 9% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, 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 63.6°F and lows of 45.0°F, with about 29.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Elizabethtown has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$222,600
27% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$354,651
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,038/mo
21% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,273/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9x
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 54.4%
Renter-occupied 45.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,038
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,652/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
23.4 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.4%
Carpooled
6.4%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
9.5%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
9.5%

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
$67,770
9% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,658
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
39% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Labor Force Participation
67.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.3%
Graduate degree 10.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.5
Male median age 35.1
Female median age 33.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.6°F
Avg Low
45.0°F
Annual Precip
44.2"
Annual Snowfall
29.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394251647482878578665443
Low °F 232532435363686658463628
Precip" 3.032.593.703.553.833.984.743.774.833.812.973.43
Snow" 9.19.45.60.40.00.00.00.00.00.20.84.4

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,882
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elizabethtown, PA?

Elizabethtown has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.

What is average rent in Elizabethtown, PA?

The median gross rent in Elizabethtown is $1,038 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elizabethtown?

The median home value in Elizabethtown is $222,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elizabethtown?

The median household income in Elizabethtown is $67,770 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elizabethtown, PA?

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

Is Elizabethtown, PA affordable?

Yes, Elizabethtown is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Elizabethtown?

Elizabethtown has average high temperatures of 63.6°F and average lows of 45.0°F. Annual precipitation is 44.2". Average annual snowfall is 29.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Elizabethtown at a Glance

Population
11,857
Median Income
$67,770
Home Value
$222,600
Median Rent
$1,038/mo
Unemployment
3.0%
Avg High Temp
63.6°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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