Cost of Living in Pen Argyl, PA

Population 3,489 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

69
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Pen Argyl offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $172,000 — costs less than 2.2 times median household income of $79,948, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago.

Pen Argyl sits roughly 20 miles northeast of Allentown — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 9% lower than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Pen Argyl

The median home value in Pen Argyl is $172,100 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,165/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $79,948/year is 7% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, 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, Pen Argyl has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$172,100
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$245,044
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,165/mo
11% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.3x
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 74.2%
Renter-occupied 25.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,165
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,779/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
25.9 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.3%
Carpooled
8.7%
Walked
1.9%
Work from home
2.5%

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
$79,948
7% above avg
Per Capita Income
$33,658
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
14% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor Force Participation
68.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.8%
Graduate degree 9.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.4
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 40

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,492
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Pen Argyl, PA?

Pen Argyl has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.

What is average rent in Pen Argyl, PA?

The median gross rent in Pen Argyl is $1,165 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Pen Argyl?

The median home value in Pen Argyl is $172,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Pen Argyl?

The median household income in Pen Argyl is $79,948 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pen Argyl, PA?

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

Is Pen Argyl, PA affordable?

Yes, Pen Argyl is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Pen Argyl?

Pen Argyl 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.

Pen Argyl at a Glance

Population
3,489
Median Income
$79,948
Home Value
$172,100
Median Rent
$1,165/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
63.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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