Cost of Living in Hanover, PA

Population 16,483 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Hanover can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $201,000 against $64,135 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. At 8.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 40 miles northwest of Baltimore, Hanover falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 66
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Hanover

The median home value in Hanover is $200,900 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,095/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,135/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.2%, 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 63.3°F and lows of 41.4°F. Overall, Hanover has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$200,900
34% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$286,883
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,095/mo
17% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,360/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 56.2%
Renter-occupied 43.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,095
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,709/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
25.6 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.4%
Carpooled
9.7%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
3.7%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
3.9%

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
$64,135
14% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,747
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
70% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Labor Force Participation
66.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.7%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.7
Male median age 37.3
Female median age 44.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.3°F
Avg Low
41.4°F
Annual Precip
42.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394251637381858477665444
Low °F 212229395059636154423325
Precip" 2.612.483.663.354.173.224.323.764.803.593.103.06

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.6%
Good air days/yr
256
Max AQI recorded
208
PM2.5 days
147
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91.1%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
6,237
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hanover, PA?

Hanover has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Hanover, PA?

The median gross rent in Hanover is $1,095 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hanover?

The median home value in Hanover is $200,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hanover?

The median household income in Hanover is $64,135 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hanover, PA?

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

Is Hanover, PA affordable?

Yes, Hanover is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Hanover?

Hanover has average high temperatures of 63.3°F and average lows of 41.4°F. Annual precipitation is 42.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Hanover at a Glance

Population
16,483
Median Income
$64,135
Home Value
$200,900
Median Rent
$1,095/mo
Unemployment
8.2%
Avg High Temp
63.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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