Cost of Living in Monessen, PA

Population 6,825 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

38
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monessen is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $51,094 and housing costs ($87,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 7.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Monessen sits roughly 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. Median home values run roughly 55% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 29
Rent 52

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

About the Cost of Living in Monessen

The median home value in Monessen is $87,100 — 71% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $678/month, 48% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,094/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, 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 61.2°F and lows of 43.5°F. Overall, Monessen has a cost of living index of 38 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 62% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$87,100
71% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$221,149
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$678/mo
48% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.7x
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 73.0%
Renter-occupied 27.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$678
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,292/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
27.3 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.1%
Carpooled
10.6%
Public transit
3.2%
Walked
2.1%
Work from home
8.7%

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
$51,094
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,372
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
53% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Labor Force Participation
56.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.0%
Graduate degree 8.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.2
Male median age 44.9
Female median age 50.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.2°F
Avg Low
43.5°F
Annual Precip
41.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 374049637279838175635141
Low °F 222431425260646356453528
Precip" 3.082.573.223.404.084.583.933.813.543.063.033.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
76.2%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
119
PM2.5 days
179
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
790
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Monessen, PA?

Monessen has a cost index of 38 (100 = national average). It is 62% below the national average.

What is average rent in Monessen, PA?

The median gross rent in Monessen is $678 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monessen?

The median home value in Monessen is $87,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monessen?

The median household income in Monessen is $51,094 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monessen, PA?

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

Is Monessen, PA affordable?

Yes, Monessen is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 38 — about 62% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Monessen?

Monessen has average high temperatures of 61.2°F and average lows of 43.5°F. Annual precipitation is 41.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Monessen at a Glance

Population
6,825
Median Income
$51,094
Home Value
$87,100
Median Rent
$678/mo
Unemployment
7.4%
Avg High Temp
61.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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