Cost of Living in Northern Cambria, PA

Population 3,515 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

32
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 Northern Cambria a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $84,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Northern Cambria is about 65 miles east of Pittsburgh, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 56% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 28
Rent 40

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

About the Cost of Living in Northern Cambria

The median home value in Northern Cambria is $84,400 — 72% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $521/month, 60% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,448/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.5%, 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 57.2°F and lows of 40.6°F. Overall, Northern Cambria has a cost of living index of 32 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 68% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$84,400
72% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$250,296
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$521/mo
60% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5x
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 68.7%
Renter-occupied 31.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$521
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,135/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
25.3 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.5%
Carpooled
6.4%
Walked
3.3%
Work from home
1.5%

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
$50,448
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$22,868
Unemployment Rate
7.5%
55% above avg
Poverty Rate
35.8%
Labor Force Participation
55.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.4%
Graduate degree 4.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 40.1
Female median age 37.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.2°F
Avg Low
40.6°F
Annual Precip
41.3"
10° 28° 45° 63° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 333645586875797771594738
Low °F 192128384957616053433325
Precip" 2.542.533.123.544.124.404.223.953.993.063.112.68

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
58.7%
Good air days/yr
201
Max AQI recorded
252
PM2.5 days
108
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
977
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Northern Cambria, PA?

Northern Cambria has a cost index of 32 (100 = national average). It is 68% below the national average.

What is average rent in Northern Cambria, PA?

The median gross rent in Northern Cambria is $521 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Northern Cambria?

The median home value in Northern Cambria is $84,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Northern Cambria?

The median household income in Northern Cambria is $50,448 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Northern Cambria, PA?

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

Is Northern Cambria, PA affordable?

Yes, Northern Cambria is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 32 — about 68% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Northern Cambria?

Northern Cambria has average high temperatures of 57.2°F and average lows of 40.6°F. Annual precipitation is 41.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Northern Cambria at a Glance

Population
3,515
Median Income
$50,448
Home Value
$84,400
Median Rent
$521/mo
Unemployment
7.5%
Avg High Temp
57.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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