Cost of Living in Swissvale, PA

Population 8,499 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Swissvale is a smaller Pennsylvania community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,114 and housing costs ($141,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 7.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Swissvale sits roughly 5 miles east of Pittsburgh. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 46
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Swissvale

The median home value in Swissvale is $141,300 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,097/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,114/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.6%, 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 61.2°F and lows of 43.5°F. Overall, Swissvale has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$141,300
54% below avg
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
17% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.7x
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 46.9%
Renter-occupied 53.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,097
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,711/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
28.9 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
20.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
50.0%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
14.3%
Walked
5.7%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
20.3%

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
$60,114
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$44,467
Unemployment Rate
7.6%
57% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Labor Force Participation
75.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.4%
Graduate degree 18.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.9
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 42.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.2°F
Avg Low
43.5°F
Annual Precip
41.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 374049637279838175635141
Low °F 222431425260646356453528
Precip" 3.082.573.223.404.084.583.933.813.543.063.033.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 56 — Moderate
33.2%
Good air days/yr
237
Max AQI recorded
294
PM2.5 days
71
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Swissvale, PA?

Swissvale has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Swissvale, PA?

The median gross rent in Swissvale is $1,097 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Swissvale?

The median home value in Swissvale is $141,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Swissvale?

The median household income in Swissvale is $60,114 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Swissvale, PA?

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

Is Swissvale, PA affordable?

Yes, Swissvale is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Swissvale?

Swissvale has average high temperatures of 61.2°F and average lows of 43.5°F. Annual precipitation is 41.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Swissvale at a Glance

Population
8,499
Median Income
$60,114
Home Value
$141,300
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
Unemployment
7.6%
Avg High Temp
61.2°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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