Cost of Living in Hershey, PA
Population 14,334 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Hershey is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 14000 residents, where median household incomes of $78,750 and housing costs ($339,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.
Located 65 miles west of Allentown, Hershey is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 80% higher than Allentown's $189,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Hershey
The median home value in Hershey is $339,300 — 11% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,241/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,750/year is 6% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, 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 63.6°F and lows of 45.0°F, with about 29.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Hershey has a cost of living index of 105 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39 | 42 | 51 | 64 | 74 | 82 | 87 | 85 | 78 | 66 | 54 | 43 |
| Low °F | 23 | 25 | 32 | 43 | 53 | 63 | 68 | 66 | 58 | 46 | 36 | 28 |
| Precip" | 3.03 | 2.59 | 3.70 | 3.55 | 3.83 | 3.98 | 4.74 | 3.77 | 4.83 | 3.81 | 2.97 | 3.43 |
| Snow" | 9.1 | 9.4 | 5.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 4.4 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Hershey, PA?
Hershey has a cost index of 105 (100 = national average). It is 5% above the national average.
What is average rent in Hershey, PA?
The median gross rent in Hershey is $1,241 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Hershey?
The median home value in Hershey is $339,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Hershey?
The median household income in Hershey is $78,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Hershey, PA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Hershey is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.
Is Hershey, PA affordable?
Hershey is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 105 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Hershey?
Hershey has average high temperatures of 63.6°F and average lows of 45.0°F. Annual precipitation is 44.2". Average annual snowfall is 29.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Hershey at a Glance
- Population
- 14,334
- Median Income
- $78,750
- Home Value
- $339,300
- Median Rent
- $1,241/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 63.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Pennsylvania Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs