Cost of Living in Malvern, PA

Population 3,427 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

148
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 Malvern a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $460,000. At 9.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Malvern sits roughly 20 miles west of Philadelphia. Median home values run roughly 98% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 151
Rent 144

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

About the Cost of Living in Malvern

The median home value in Malvern is $460,400 — 51% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,886/month, 44% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $106,638/year is 43% 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 61.3°F and lows of 42.5°F. Overall, Malvern has a cost of living index of 148 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$460,400
51% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$772,154
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
44% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,285/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3x
Favors renting
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 53.8%
Renter-occupied 46.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,886
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,500/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
19.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.6%
Carpooled
3.1%
Public transit
4.0%
Walked
1.9%
Work from home
19.9%

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
$106,638
43% above avg
Per Capita Income
$78,581
Unemployment Rate
9.1%
88% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor Force Participation
72.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 40.4%
Graduate degree 26.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.9
Male median age 48.9
Female median age 49

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.3°F
Avg Low
42.5°F
Annual Precip
45.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 374049617179848275635242
Low °F 222330405059646255433427
Precip" 3.022.564.073.643.693.844.724.384.833.813.023.76

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
60.9%
Good air days/yr
248
Max AQI recorded
235
PM2.5 days
126
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
4,428
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Malvern, PA?

Malvern has a cost index of 148 (100 = national average). It is 48% above the national average.

What is average rent in Malvern, PA?

The median gross rent in Malvern is $1,886 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Malvern?

The median home value in Malvern is $460,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Malvern?

The median household income in Malvern is $106,638 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Malvern, PA?

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

Is Malvern, PA affordable?

Malvern is above average in cost of living, with an index of 148 — about 48% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Malvern?

Malvern has average high temperatures of 61.3°F and average lows of 42.5°F. Annual precipitation is 45.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Malvern at a Glance

Population
3,427
Median Income
$106,638
Home Value
$460,400
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
Unemployment
9.1%
Avg High Temp
61.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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