Cost of Living in Mount Joy, PA

Population 8,310 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mount Joy sits on the smaller end of the Pennsylvania city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.4% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 55 miles north of Baltimore, Mount Joy is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 10% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 79
Rent 81

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Joy

The median home value in Mount Joy is $241,300 — 21% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,070/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $84,514/year is 13% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.4%, 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 63.8°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, Mount Joy has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$241,300
21% below avg
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
19% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,657/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.8x
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 61.5%
Renter-occupied 38.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,070
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,684/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
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
8.8%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
5.8%
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
$84,514
13% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,905
Unemployment Rate
1.4%
70% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor Force Participation
72.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.2%
Graduate degree 10.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.7
Male median age 34
Female median age 41.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.8°F
Avg Low
42.8°F
Annual Precip
42.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404252647482868578665444
Low °F 222331405060656356443427
Precip" 2.592.203.333.343.444.784.203.524.693.783.063.13

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 58 — Moderate
29.6%
Good air days/yr
321
Max AQI recorded
304
PM2.5 days
61
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

94%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
2,993
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Mount Joy has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Joy, PA?

The median gross rent in Mount Joy is $1,070 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Joy?

The median home value in Mount Joy is $241,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Mount Joy?

The median household income in Mount Joy is $84,514 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Joy, PA?

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

Is Mount Joy, PA affordable?

Yes, Mount Joy is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Mount Joy?

Mount Joy has average high temperatures of 63.8°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 42.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mount Joy at a Glance

Population
8,310
Median Income
$84,514
Home Value
$241,300
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Unemployment
1.4%
Avg High Temp
63.8°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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