Cost of Living in Pennsylvania: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Pennsylvania? doxo breaks down key insights about Pennsylvania’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Pennsylvania pays $2,022 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Pennsylvania’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Pennsylvania ranks as the 29th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Pennsylvania is ranked as the 29th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $24,262 per year, Pennsylvania’s household expenses, on average, are 5% lower than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Pennsylvania households spend 32% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Pennsylvania is 95.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,022 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 95
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #29
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 32%
- Compared to the National Average: 5% lower
Pennsylvania Household Expenses are 5% Lower Than the National Average
The average Pennsylvania household pays $2,022 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Pennsylvania is $94, compared to the national average of $85, making it 11% higher than average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Pennsylvania residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,477, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 5% more expensive.
Average Pennsylvania Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Pennsylvania Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Pennsylvania Percent +/- National Average |
| Mortgage | $1,477 | $1,402 | 5% higher |
| Rent | $1,151 | $1,300 | 11% lower |
| Auto Loan | $422 | $496 | 15% lower |
| Utilities | $351 | $362 | 3% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $224 | $209 | 7% higher |
| Health Insurance | $127 | $114 | 11% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $113 | $121 | 7% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $120 | $122 | 2% lower |
| Life Insurance | $84 | $87 | 3% lower |
| Alarm & Security | $94 | $85 | 11% higher |
| Total | $2,022 | $2,126 | 5% lower |
Chester Springs Has the Highest Cost of Living in Pennsylvania for Household Bills
Residents of Chester Springs pay the highest household bills in the state of Pennsylvania, at an average of $3,489 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Chester Springs is 164, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 64% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Chester Springs makeup 21% of the average annual household income of $202,165.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Pennsylvania Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Chester Springs | $202,165 | $3,489 | 164 | 64% higher | 21% |
| 2 | Wynnewood | $158,719 | $3,353 | 158 | 58% higher | 25% |
| 3 | Plymouth Meeting | $129,776 | $3,240 | 152 | 52% higher | 30% |
| 4 | Wayne | $161,554 | $3,151 | 148 | 48% higher | 23% |
| 5 | Langhorn | $107,123 | $3,105 | 146 | 46% higher | 35% |
| 6 | Horsham | $94,230 | $3,012 | 142 | 42% higher | 38% |
| 7 | Collegeville | $145,347 | $3,004 | 141 | 41% higher | 25% |
| 8 | Bryn Mawr | $136,955 | $2,994 | 141 | 41% higher | 26% |
| 9 | Glen Mills | $137,155 | $2,992 | 141 | 41% higher | 26% |
| 10 | Chalfont | $142,687 | $2,973 | 140 | 40% higher | 25% |
Shamokin Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Pennsylvania for Household Bills
Out of 242 cities, Shamokin is the most affordable place in Pennsylvania, with residents paying $1,383 on average for household bills, accounting for 45% of annual income of $36,842. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Shamokin is 65, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 35% below the national average.
Titusville is the second most affordable city in Pennsylvania, with residents paying $1,389 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Pennsylvania are Lewistown ($1,439), Johnstown ($1,459) and Bradford ($1,476).
10 Most Affordable Pennsylvania Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 233 | New Castle | $53,680 | $1,522 | 72 | 28% lower | 34% |
| 234 | Sunbury | $52,937 | $1,516 | 71 | 29% lower | 34% |
| 235 | Sharon | $40,185 | $1,515 | 71 | 29% lower | 45% |
| 236 | Uniontown | $51,611 | $1,495 | 70 | 30% lower | 35% |
| 237 | Danville | $73,321 | $1,494 | 70 | 30% lower | 24% |
| 238 | Bradford | $56,748 | $1,476 | 69 | 31% lower | 31% |
| 239 | Johnstown | $52,966 | $1,459 | 69 | 31% lower | 33% |
| 240 | Lewistown | $53,770 | $1,439 | 68 | 32% lower | 32% |
| 241 | Titusville | $43,026 | $1,389 | 65 | 35% lower | 39% |
| 242 | Shamokin | $36,842 | $1,383 | 65 | 35% lower | 45% |
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Pennsylvania with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.