Cost of Living in Palmer Heights, PA

Population 3,963 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

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

Palmer Heights is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $115,292 and housing costs ($289,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 13 miles northeast of Allentown, Palmer Heights falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 53% higher than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 95
Rent 107

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

About the Cost of Living in Palmer Heights

The median home value in Palmer Heights is $289,400 — 5% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,411/month, 7% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $115,292/year is 55% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 63.3°F and lows of 42.8°F, with about 33.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Palmer Heights has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$289,400
5% below avg
Median Rent
$1,411/mo
7% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1x
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 96.7%
Renter-occupied 3.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,411
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,025/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
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.9%
Carpooled
3.1%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.8%
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
$115,292
55% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,536
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
0% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Labor Force Participation
63.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.5%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.6
Male median age 44.9
Female median age 51.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.3°F
Avg Low
42.8°F
Annual Precip
47.4"
Annual Snowfall
33.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 384251637482868477665443
Low °F 222331405160656355443427
Precip" 3.302.773.633.673.654.405.304.564.844.143.243.86
Snow" 9.810.86.30.50.00.00.00.00.00.20.94.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
57.7%
Good air days/yr
368
Max AQI recorded
227
PM2.5 days
135
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Palmer Heights, PA?

Palmer Heights has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Palmer Heights, PA?

The median gross rent in Palmer Heights is $1,411 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Palmer Heights?

The median home value in Palmer Heights is $289,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Palmer Heights?

The median household income in Palmer Heights is $115,292 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Palmer Heights, PA?

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

Is Palmer Heights, PA affordable?

Palmer Heights is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 100 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Palmer Heights?

Palmer Heights has average high temperatures of 63.3°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 47.4". Average annual snowfall is 33.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Palmer Heights at a Glance

Population
3,963
Median Income
$115,292
Home Value
$289,400
Median Rent
$1,411/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
Avg High Temp
63.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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