Cost of Living in Sayre, PA

Population 5,444 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

62
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 Sayre a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $166,000. At 9.7%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 75 miles south of Syracuse, Sayre is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 33% higher than Syracuse's $125,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 54
Rent 74

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

About the Cost of Living in Sayre

The median home value in Sayre is $166,000 — 46% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $976/month, 26% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,393/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.7%, 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 59.0°F and lows of 37.1°F. Overall, Sayre has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$166,000
46% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$188,666
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$976/mo
26% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2x
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 61.1%
Renter-occupied 38.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$976
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,590/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
19.2 min
29% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.7%
Carpooled
7.7%
Walked
12.2%
Work from home
9.2%

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
$55,393
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$40,598
Unemployment Rate
9.7%
102% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Labor Force Participation
60.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.0%
Graduate degree 21.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.8
Male median age 40.8
Female median age 40.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.0°F
Avg Low
37.1°F
Annual Precip
32.4"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 343645587078828173614939
Low °F 161724344454585749393023
Precip" 1.661.342.392.812.983.503.363.583.473.022.212.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
82%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
93
PM2.5 days
196
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
1,049
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sayre, PA?

Sayre has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sayre, PA?

The median gross rent in Sayre is $976 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sayre?

The median home value in Sayre is $166,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sayre?

The median household income in Sayre is $55,393 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sayre, PA?

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

Is Sayre, PA affordable?

Yes, Sayre is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sayre?

Sayre has average high temperatures of 59.0°F and average lows of 37.1°F. Annual precipitation is 32.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sayre at a Glance

Population
5,444
Median Income
$55,393
Home Value
$166,000
Median Rent
$976/mo
Unemployment
9.7%
Avg High Temp
59.0°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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