Cost of Living in Old Forge, PA

Population 8,533 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

60
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Old Forge stay well under national norms: a median home value of $170,000 against median household incomes of $73,258 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Pennsylvania.

Old Forge is about 55 miles north of Allentown, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Old Forge

The median home value in Old Forge is $169,700 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $862/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,258/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, 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 61.0°F and lows of 41.6°F, with about 45.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Old Forge has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$169,700
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$282,400
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$862/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4x
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 71.2%
Renter-occupied 28.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$862
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,476/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
24.2 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.3%
Carpooled
11.3%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
1.6%
Work from home
10.0%

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
$73,258
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$39,583
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
16% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Labor Force Participation
68.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.5%
Graduate degree 9.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.2
Male median age 46.4
Female median age 47.7

🌤 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

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
63%
Good air days/yr
292
Max AQI recorded
218
PM2.5 days
140
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
958
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Old Forge, PA?

Old Forge has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.

What is average rent in Old Forge, PA?

The median gross rent in Old Forge is $862 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Old Forge?

The median home value in Old Forge is $169,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Old Forge?

The median household income in Old Forge is $73,258 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Old Forge, PA?

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

Is Old Forge, PA affordable?

Yes, Old Forge is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Old Forge?

Old Forge 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.

Old Forge at a Glance

Population
8,533
Median Income
$73,258
Home Value
$169,700
Median Rent
$862/mo
Unemployment
5.6%
Avg High Temp
61.0°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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