Cost of Living in Mountain Top, PA

Population 11,856 · 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

Mountain Top is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $105,286 and housing costs ($275,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 45 miles northwest of Allentown, Mountain Top falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 45% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 64

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

About the Cost of Living in Mountain Top

The median home value in Mountain Top is $274,600 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $843/month, 36% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,286/year is 41% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, 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 61.0°F and lows of 41.6°F, with about 45.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Mountain Top has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$274,600
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$317,633
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$843/mo
36% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.1x
Favors renting
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 89.8%
Renter-occupied 10.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$843
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,457/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
27.4 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.9%
Carpooled
8.0%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
16.5%

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
$105,286
41% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,446
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
41% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor Force Participation
65.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.8%
Graduate degree 17.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44
Male median age 40.3
Female median age 45.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.0°F
Avg Low
41.6°F
Annual Precip
38.7"
Annual Snowfall
45.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 363948617280858275635140
Low °F 202229395058636154433426
Precip" 2.592.072.773.263.263.803.613.854.153.712.852.80
Snow" 11.710.910.10.80.00.00.00.00.00.73.27.7

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
2,845
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mountain Top, PA?

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

What is average rent in Mountain Top, PA?

The median gross rent in Mountain Top is $843 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mountain Top?

The median home value in Mountain Top is $274,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mountain Top?

The median household income in Mountain Top is $105,286 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mountain Top, PA?

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

Is Mountain Top, PA affordable?

Yes, Mountain Top 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 Mountain Top?

Mountain Top has average high temperatures of 61.0°F and average lows of 41.6°F. Annual precipitation is 38.7". Average annual snowfall is 45.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mountain Top at a Glance

Population
11,856
Median Income
$105,286
Home Value
$274,600
Median Rent
$843/mo
Unemployment
2.9%
Avg High Temp
61.0°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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