Cost of Living in Emmaus, PA

Population 11,727 · 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

Emmaus is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $82,875 and housing costs ($244,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Emmaus is part of the immediate Allentown metro area. Median home values run roughly 29% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 80
Rent 101

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

About the Cost of Living in Emmaus

The median home value in Emmaus is $244,300 — 20% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,331/month, 1% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,875/year is 11% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, 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 63.3°F and lows of 42.8°F, with about 33.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Emmaus has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$244,300
20% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$376,620
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,331/mo
1% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,779/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3x
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 67.5%
Renter-occupied 32.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,331
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,945/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
28.2 min
4% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.5%
Carpooled
8.9%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
11.0%

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
$82,875
11% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,315
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
32% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor Force Participation
71.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.8%
Graduate degree 9.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.1
Male median age 36.5
Female median age 43.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.3°F
Avg Low
42.8°F
Annual Precip
47.4"
Annual Snowfall
33.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384251637482868477665443
Low °F 222331405160656355443427
Precip" 3.302.773.633.673.654.405.304.564.844.143.243.86
Snow" 9.810.86.30.50.00.00.00.00.00.20.94.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
63.4%
Good air days/yr
337
Max AQI recorded
229
PM2.5 days
134
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
8,345
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Emmaus, PA?

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

What is average rent in Emmaus, PA?

The median gross rent in Emmaus is $1,331 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Emmaus?

The median home value in Emmaus is $244,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Emmaus?

The median household income in Emmaus is $82,875 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Emmaus, PA?

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

Is Emmaus, PA affordable?

Yes, Emmaus 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 Emmaus?

Emmaus has average high temperatures of 63.3°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 47.4". Average annual snowfall is 33.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Emmaus at a Glance

Population
11,727
Median Income
$82,875
Home Value
$244,300
Median Rent
$1,331/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Avg High Temp
63.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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