Cost of Living in Williamsport, PA

Population 27,629 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

54
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Williamsport's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $49,363 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail. Around 25% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 95 miles northwest of Allentown, Williamsport is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Allentown's $189,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 48
Rent 63

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

About the Cost of Living in Williamsport

The median home value in Williamsport is $146,500 — 52% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $825/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,363/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.1%, 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 61.1°F and lows of 41.4°F, with about 35.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Williamsport has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$146,500
52% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$198,635
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$825/mo
37% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,010/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8x
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 43.5%
Renter-occupied 56.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$825
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,439/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
18.3 min
32% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.5%
Carpooled
12.7%
Public transit
4.0%
Walked
7.4%
Bicycle
1.1%
Work from home
10.2%

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
$49,363
34% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,135
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
27% above avg
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Labor Force Participation
59.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.6%
Graduate degree 10.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.9
Male median age 29.5
Female median age 33.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
61.1°F
Avg Low
41.4°F
Annual Precip
43.5"
Annual Snowfall
35.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353948627281858375635140
Low °F 202229394958636154433326
Precip" 2.962.313.133.623.863.854.644.174.763.703.253.27
Snow" 9.79.37.30.80.00.00.00.00.00.11.76.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
85.5%
Good air days/yr
119
Max AQI recorded
69
PM2.5 days
214
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87.5%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
6,497
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Williamsport, PA?

Williamsport has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.

What is average rent in Williamsport, PA?

The median gross rent in Williamsport is $825 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Williamsport?

The median home value in Williamsport is $146,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Williamsport?

The median household income in Williamsport is $49,363 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Williamsport, PA?

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

Is Williamsport, PA affordable?

Yes, Williamsport is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Williamsport?

Williamsport has average high temperatures of 61.1°F and average lows of 41.4°F. Annual precipitation is 43.5". Average annual snowfall is 35.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Williamsport at a Glance

Population
27,629
Median Income
$49,363
Home Value
$146,500
Median Rent
$825/mo
Unemployment
6.1%
Avg High Temp
61.1°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
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