Cost of Living in Monongahela, PA

Population 4,113 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

48
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monongahela is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $55,500 and housing costs ($119,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Monongahela sits roughly 15 miles south of Pittsburgh. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 39
Rent 62

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

About the Cost of Living in Monongahela

The median home value in Monongahela is $119,300 — 61% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $817/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,500/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.4%, 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, Monongahela has a cost of living index of 48 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$119,300
61% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$144,193
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$817/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2x
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 70.5%
Renter-occupied 29.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$817
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,431/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
8.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.3%
Carpooled
5.6%
Public transit
1.2%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
8.4%

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
$55,500
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,624
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
74% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.5%
Graduate degree 6.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.1
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 48

🌤 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 51 — Moderate
49.3%
Good air days/yr
212
Max AQI recorded
238
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Monongahela, PA?

Monongahela has a cost index of 48 (100 = national average). It is 52% below the national average.

What is average rent in Monongahela, PA?

The median gross rent in Monongahela is $817 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monongahela?

The median home value in Monongahela is $119,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monongahela?

The median household income in Monongahela is $55,500 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monongahela, PA?

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

Is Monongahela, PA affordable?

Yes, Monongahela is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 48 — about 52% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Monongahela?

Monongahela 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.

Monongahela at a Glance

Population
4,113
Median Income
$55,500
Home Value
$119,300
Median Rent
$817/mo
Unemployment
8.4%
Avg High Temp
61.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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