Cost of Living in Forest Hills, PA

Population 6,332 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Forest Hills stay well under national norms: a median home value of $182,000 against median household incomes of $86,802 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Pennsylvania. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 6 miles east of Pittsburgh, Forest Hills falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with Pittsburgh's $193,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Forest Hills

The median home value in Forest Hills is $182,200 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $970/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $86,802/year is 16% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.6%, 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 61.2°F and lows of 43.5°F. Overall, Forest Hills has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,200
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$556,875
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$970/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7x
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 73.7%
Renter-occupied 26.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$970
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,584/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
30.5 min
13% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
60.4%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
7.1%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
23.7%

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
$86,802
16% above avg
Per Capita Income
$58,113
Unemployment Rate
8.6%
78% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor Force Participation
70.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 36.5%
Graduate degree 23.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.7
Male median age 42.6
Female median age 47.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.2°F
Avg Low
43.5°F
Annual Precip
41.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 374049637279838175635141
Low °F 222431425260646356453528
Precip" 3.082.573.223.404.084.583.933.813.543.063.033.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 56 — Moderate
33.2%
Good air days/yr
237
Max AQI recorded
294
PM2.5 days
71
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest Hills, PA?

Forest Hills has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Forest Hills, PA?

The median gross rent in Forest Hills is $970 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest Hills?

The median home value in Forest Hills is $182,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forest Hills?

The median household income in Forest Hills is $86,802 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest Hills, PA?

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

Is Forest Hills, PA affordable?

Yes, Forest Hills is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Forest Hills?

Forest Hills has average high temperatures of 61.2°F and average lows of 43.5°F. Annual precipitation is 41.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Forest Hills at a Glance

Population
6,332
Median Income
$86,802
Home Value
$182,200
Median Rent
$970/mo
Unemployment
8.6%
Avg High Temp
61.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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