Cost of Living in Pennside, PA

Population 5,406 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

78
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Pennside stay well under national norms: a median home value of $195,000 against median household incomes of $77,411 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Pennsylvania. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Pennside is about 25 miles southwest of Allentown, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Allentown's $189,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 64
Rent 98

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

About the Cost of Living in Pennside

The median home value in Pennside is $195,000 — 36% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,289/month, 2% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,411/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, 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 63.4°F and lows of 44.1°F. Overall, Pennside has a cost of living index of 78 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 22% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$195,000
36% below avg
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
2% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.6x
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 77.7%
Renter-occupied 22.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,289
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,903/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
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.4%
Carpooled
8.8%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
6.4%

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
$77,411
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,346
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
43% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor Force Participation
73.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.0%
Graduate degree 11.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 37.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.4°F
Avg Low
44.1°F
Annual Precip
45.2"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394251637482878477655443
Low °F 232432425261666457453528
Precip" 2.972.613.533.353.514.774.774.494.883.803.023.51

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
56.3%
Good air days/yr
287
Max AQI recorded
193
PM2.5 days
171
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Pennside, PA?

Pennside has a cost index of 78 (100 = national average). It is 22% below the national average.

What is average rent in Pennside, PA?

The median gross rent in Pennside is $1,289 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Pennside?

The median home value in Pennside is $195,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Pennside?

The median household income in Pennside is $77,411 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pennside, PA?

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

Is Pennside, PA affordable?

Yes, Pennside is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 78 — about 22% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Pennside?

Pennside has average high temperatures of 63.4°F and average lows of 44.1°F. Annual precipitation is 45.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Pennside at a Glance

Population
5,406
Median Income
$77,411
Home Value
$195,000
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Avg High Temp
63.4°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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🗺️ County data for Pennsylvania

Explore county-level cost of living data

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