Cost of Living in North East, PA

Population 4,069 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

52
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in North East can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $151,000 against $67,469 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. At 8.5%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, North East is about 70 miles southwest of Buffalo, the nearest large metro. Housing prices track closely with Buffalo's $152,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 50
Rent 56

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

About the Cost of Living in North East

The median home value in North East is $151,000 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $731/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,469/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.5%, 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 58.8°F and lows of 42.7°F, with about 104.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, North East has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$151,000
50% below avg
Median Rent
$731/mo
44% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.2x
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 53.7%
Renter-occupied 46.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$731
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,345/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
20.6 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.9%
Carpooled
15.7%
Walked
2.4%
Bicycle
2.5%
Work from home
5.5%

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
$67,469
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,628
Unemployment Rate
8.5%
77% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Labor Force Participation
51.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.9%
Graduate degree 6.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.9
Male median age 44.4
Female median age 40.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.8°F
Avg Low
42.7°F
Annual Precip
43"
Annual Snowfall
104.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353744576877818074625140
Low °F 212128384959646357463728
Precip" 3.412.523.083.473.503.703.333.354.324.383.754.17
Snow" 31.819.414.52.60.00.00.00.00.00.19.626.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
65.8%
Good air days/yr
180
Max AQI recorded
212
PM2.5 days
148
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,629
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in North East, PA?

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

What is average rent in North East, PA?

The median gross rent in North East is $731 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in North East?

The median home value in North East is $151,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in North East?

The median household income in North East is $67,469 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in North East, PA?

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

Is North East, PA affordable?

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

What is the weather like in North East?

North East has average high temperatures of 58.8°F and average lows of 42.7°F. Annual precipitation is 43". Average annual snowfall is 104.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

North East at a Glance

Population
4,069
Median Income
$67,469
Home Value
$151,000
Median Rent
$731/mo
Unemployment
8.5%
Avg High Temp
58.8°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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