Cost of Living in York, PA

Population 44,830 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023

49
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $47,115, median household incomes in York land roughly 37% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. At 11.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

York is about 45 miles north of Baltimore, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 53% lower than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 34
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in York

The median home value in York is $103,100 — 66% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $958/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,115/year is 37% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.0%, 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 63.3°F and lows of 41.4°F. Overall, York has a cost of living index of 49 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$103,100
66% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$270,750
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$958/mo
27% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,327/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.0x
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 43.8%
Renter-occupied 56.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$958
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,572/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
25.6 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.3%
Carpooled
11.6%
Public transit
5.4%
Walked
4.2%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
9.1%

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
$47,115
37% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,487
Unemployment Rate
11.0%
128% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.7%
Labor Force Participation
66.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.3%
Graduate degree 5.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.2
Male median age 31.9
Female median age 36.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.3°F
Avg Low
41.4°F
Annual Precip
42.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 394251637381858477665444
Low °F 212229395059636154423325
Precip" 2.612.483.663.354.173.224.323.764.803.593.103.06

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
55.6%
Good air days/yr
256
Max AQI recorded
208
PM2.5 days
147
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

83.2%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
27
Public schools
18,165
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in York, PA?

York has a cost index of 49 (100 = national average). It is 51% below the national average.

What is average rent in York, PA?

The median gross rent in York is $958 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in York?

The median home value in York is $103,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in York?

The median household income in York is $47,115 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in York, PA?

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

Is York, PA affordable?

Yes, York is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 49 — about 51% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in York?

York has average high temperatures of 63.3°F and average lows of 41.4°F. Annual precipitation is 42.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

York at a Glance

Population
44,830
Median Income
$47,115
Home Value
$103,100
Median Rent
$958/mo
Unemployment
11.0%
Avg High Temp
63.3°F
Sales Tax
6.3%
View all cities in Pennsylvania →
🗺️ County data for Pennsylvania

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs