Cost of Living in Media, PA

Population 5,868 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

120
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 Media a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $398,000.

Located 15 miles west of Philadelphia, Media falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 71% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 131
Rent 103

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

About the Cost of Living in Media

The median home value in Media is $398,400 — 31% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,359/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $86,219/year is 16% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, 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 65.2°F and lows of 47.3°F, with about 23.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Media has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$398,400
31% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$614,636
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,359/mo
3% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,187/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4x
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 38.1%
Renter-occupied 61.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,359
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,973/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
29.6 min
10% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
62.4%
Carpooled
7.5%
Public transit
6.5%
Walked
3.7%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
19.6%

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
$86,219
16% above avg
Per Capita Income
$63,004
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
2% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Labor Force Participation
73.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.7%
Graduate degree 34.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43
Male median age 41.3
Female median age 43.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.2°F
Avg Low
47.3°F
Annual Precip
44.1"
Annual Snowfall
23.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414453657483888679675646
Low °F 262834445464706861493931
Precip" 3.132.753.963.473.344.044.384.294.403.472.913.97
Snow" 7.18.43.60.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.23.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 50 — Good
51.2%
Good air days/yr
271
Max AQI recorded
253
PM2.5 days
111
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,985
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Media, PA?

Media has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.

What is average rent in Media, PA?

The median gross rent in Media is $1,359 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Media?

The median home value in Media is $398,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Media?

The median household income in Media is $86,219 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Media, PA?

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

Is Media, PA affordable?

Media is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Media?

Media has average high temperatures of 65.2°F and average lows of 47.3°F. Annual precipitation is 44.1". Average annual snowfall is 23.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Media at a Glance

Population
5,868
Median Income
$86,219
Home Value
$398,400
Median Rent
$1,359/mo
Unemployment
4.7%
Avg High Temp
65.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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