Cost of Living in Elkins Park, PA

Population 7,286 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

122
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 Elkins Park a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $367,000.

Geographically, Elkins Park sits roughly 5 miles north of Philadelphia. Median home values run roughly 58% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 120
Rent 124

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

About the Cost of Living in Elkins Park

The median home value in Elkins Park is $366,700 — 20% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,625/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $129,773/year is 74% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, 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 65.6°F and lows of 47.2°F. Overall, Elkins Park has a cost of living index of 122 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$366,700
20% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$400,893
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,625/mo
24% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,031/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8x
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 78.9%
Renter-occupied 21.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,625
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,239/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
36.4 min
35% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
26.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
54.6%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
10.7%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
26.0%

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
$129,773
74% above avg
Per Capita Income
$74,271
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
14% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor Force Participation
73.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.9%
Graduate degree 42.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.2
Male median age 50.4
Female median age 49.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.6°F
Avg Low
47.2°F
Annual Precip
45"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424553657583888679685747
Low °F 272835445464696860483831
Precip" 3.342.573.963.773.613.874.324.224.523.633.194.00

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
63.6%
Good air days/yr
284
Max AQI recorded
221
PM2.5 days
144
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
4,396
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Elkins Park, PA?

Elkins Park has a cost index of 122 (100 = national average). It is 22% above the national average.

What is average rent in Elkins Park, PA?

The median gross rent in Elkins Park is $1,625 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elkins Park?

The median home value in Elkins Park is $366,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elkins Park?

The median household income in Elkins Park is $129,773 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elkins Park, PA?

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

Is Elkins Park, PA affordable?

Elkins Park is above average in cost of living, with an index of 122 — about 22% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Elkins Park?

Elkins Park has average high temperatures of 65.6°F and average lows of 47.2°F. Annual precipitation is 45". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Elkins Park at a Glance

Population
7,286
Median Income
$129,773
Home Value
$366,700
Median Rent
$1,625/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Avg High Temp
65.6°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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