Cost of Living in Monaca, PA

Population 5,557 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monaca offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $142,000 — costs less than 2.2 times median household income of $64,839, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. At 6.9%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Monaca falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 26% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 47
Rent 59

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

About the Cost of Living in Monaca

The median home value in Monaca is $142,100 — 53% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $773/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,839/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, 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 61.1°F and lows of 42.5°F, with about 44.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Monaca has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$142,100
53% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$202,685
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$773/mo
41% below avg
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 62.1%
Renter-occupied 37.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$773
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,387/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
25.1 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.2%
Carpooled
4.6%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
2.0%
Work from home
13.5%

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
$64,839
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,944
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
43% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor Force Participation
65.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.1%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39
Male median age 40.8
Female median age 36.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.1°F
Avg Low
42.5°F
Annual Precip
39.6"
Annual Snowfall
44.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 364049627279838275635141
Low °F 212330415159636255443427
Precip" 2.962.623.153.323.834.124.263.523.302.832.862.84
Snow" 13.311.77.61.00.00.00.00.00.00.42.47.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
43.3%
Good air days/yr
235
Max AQI recorded
275
PM2.5 days
89
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
2,314
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Monaca, PA?

Monaca has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in Monaca, PA?

The median gross rent in Monaca is $773 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monaca?

The median home value in Monaca is $142,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monaca?

The median household income in Monaca is $64,839 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monaca, PA?

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

Is Monaca, PA affordable?

Yes, Monaca is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Monaca?

Monaca has average high temperatures of 61.1°F and average lows of 42.5°F. Annual precipitation is 39.6". Average annual snowfall is 44.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Monaca at a Glance

Population
5,557
Median Income
$64,839
Home Value
$142,100
Median Rent
$773/mo
Unemployment
6.9%
Avg High Temp
61.1°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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