Cost of Living in Kutztown, PA

Population 4,188 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

79
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Kutztown a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $228,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Kutztown sits roughly 15 miles west of Allentown — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 75
Rent 87

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

About the Cost of Living in Kutztown

The median home value in Kutztown is $227,500 — 25% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,139/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,722/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, 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 63.4°F and lows of 44.1°F. Overall, Kutztown has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$227,500
25% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$346,881
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
13% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6x
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 50.0%
Renter-occupied 50.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,139
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,753/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
25.7 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
3.5%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
6.9%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
11.9%

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
$52,722
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,807
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
73% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Labor Force Participation
63.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.9%
Graduate degree 13.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.2
Male median age 29.7
Female median age 48.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.4°F
Avg Low
44.1°F
Annual Precip
45.2"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394251637482878477655443
Low °F 232432425261666457453528
Precip" 2.972.613.533.353.514.774.774.494.883.803.023.51

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
56.3%
Good air days/yr
287
Max AQI recorded
193
PM2.5 days
171
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,371
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kutztown, PA?

Kutztown has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.

What is average rent in Kutztown, PA?

The median gross rent in Kutztown is $1,139 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kutztown?

The median home value in Kutztown is $227,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kutztown?

The median household income in Kutztown is $52,722 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kutztown, PA?

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

Is Kutztown, PA affordable?

Yes, Kutztown is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Kutztown?

Kutztown has average high temperatures of 63.4°F and average lows of 44.1°F. Annual precipitation is 45.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kutztown at a Glance

Population
4,188
Median Income
$52,722
Home Value
$227,500
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
Unemployment
8.3%
Avg High Temp
63.4°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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