Cost of Living in Mount Carmel, PA

Population 5,695 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

39
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 Mount Carmel a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $75,000.

Located 50 miles west of Allentown, Mount Carmel is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 60% lower than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 24
Rent 61

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Carmel

The median home value in Mount Carmel is $74,700 — 76% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $796/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,667/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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 61.4°F and lows of 40.7°F. Overall, Mount Carmel has a cost of living index of 39 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 61% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$74,700
76% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$348,353
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$796/mo
39% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
7.8x
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 73.8%
Renter-occupied 26.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$796
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,410/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
25.2 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.8%
Carpooled
13.8%
Walked
5.5%
Work from home
4.9%

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
$52,667
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,065
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
6% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Labor Force Participation
51.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.1%
Graduate degree 6.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.5
Male median age 41.4
Female median age 44.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.4°F
Avg Low
40.7°F
Annual Precip
40.9"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363949627281848276645241
Low °F 202129384959626052413225
Precip" 2.682.063.063.563.553.944.183.734.513.783.052.81

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,502
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mount Carmel, PA?

Mount Carmel has a cost index of 39 (100 = national average). It is 61% below the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Carmel, PA?

The median gross rent in Mount Carmel is $796 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Carmel?

The median home value in Mount Carmel is $74,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Carmel?

The median household income in Mount Carmel is $52,667 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Carmel, PA?

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

Is Mount Carmel, PA affordable?

Yes, Mount Carmel is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 39 — about 61% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Mount Carmel?

Mount Carmel has average high temperatures of 61.4°F and average lows of 40.7°F. Annual precipitation is 40.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mount Carmel at a Glance

Population
5,695
Median Income
$52,667
Home Value
$74,700
Median Rent
$796/mo
Unemployment
5.1%
Avg High Temp
61.4°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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