Cost of Living in Forty Fort, PA

Population 4,235 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

62
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Forty Fort stay well under national norms: a median home value of $163,000 against median household incomes of $74,966 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Pennsylvania. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Forty Fort is about 50 miles northwest of Allentown, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 54
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Forty Fort

The median home value in Forty Fort is $163,400 — 46% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $991/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,966/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.1%, 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 61.0°F and lows of 41.6°F, with about 45.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Forty Fort has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$163,400
46% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$475,188
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$991/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7x
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 65.0%
Renter-occupied 35.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$991
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,605/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
21.4 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.5%
Carpooled
9.9%
Walked
1.9%
Work from home
8.1%

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
$74,966
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,812
Unemployment Rate
9.1%
89% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Labor Force Participation
73.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.6%
Graduate degree 13.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.7
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 40.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.0°F
Avg Low
41.6°F
Annual Precip
38.7"
Annual Snowfall
45.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617280858275635140
Low °F 202229395058636154433426
Precip" 2.592.072.773.263.263.803.613.854.153.712.852.80
Snow" 11.710.910.10.80.00.00.00.00.00.73.27.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forty Fort, PA?

Forty Fort has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in Forty Fort, PA?

The median gross rent in Forty Fort is $991 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forty Fort?

The median home value in Forty Fort is $163,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forty Fort?

The median household income in Forty Fort is $74,966 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forty Fort, PA?

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

Is Forty Fort, PA affordable?

Yes, Forty Fort is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Forty Fort?

Forty Fort has average high temperatures of 61.0°F and average lows of 41.6°F. Annual precipitation is 38.7". Average annual snowfall is 45.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Forty Fort at a Glance

Population
4,235
Median Income
$74,966
Home Value
$163,400
Median Rent
$991/mo
Unemployment
9.1%
Avg High Temp
61.0°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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