Cost of Living in Shenandoah, PA
Population 4,256 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
At $40,702, median household incomes in Shenandoah land roughly 45% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 32% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Shenandoah is about 40 miles west 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 77% lower than Allentown's $189,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Shenandoah
The median home value in Shenandoah is $43,500 — 86% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $742/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $40,702/year is 45% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.2%, 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 63.4°F and lows of 44.1°F. Overall, Shenandoah has a cost of living index of 31 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 69% less expensive.
Shenandoah has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39 | 42 | 51 | 63 | 74 | 82 | 87 | 84 | 77 | 65 | 54 | 43 |
| Low °F | 23 | 24 | 32 | 42 | 52 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 57 | 45 | 35 | 28 |
| Precip" | 2.97 | 2.61 | 3.53 | 3.35 | 3.51 | 4.77 | 4.77 | 4.49 | 4.88 | 3.80 | 3.02 | 3.51 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Shenandoah, PA?
Shenandoah has a cost index of 31 (100 = national average). It is 69% below the national average.
What is average rent in Shenandoah, PA?
The median gross rent in Shenandoah is $742 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Shenandoah?
The median home value in Shenandoah is $43,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Shenandoah?
The median household income in Shenandoah is $40,702 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Shenandoah, PA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Shenandoah is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.
Is Shenandoah, PA affordable?
Yes, Shenandoah is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 31 — about 69% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Shenandoah?
Shenandoah 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.
Shenandoah at a Glance
- Population
- 4,256
- Median Income
- $40,702
- Home Value
- $43,500
- Median Rent
- $742/mo
- Unemployment
- 11.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 63.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data