A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
35%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Darby Pennsylvania National
Cost of living9298100
Goods & Services10399100
Groceries10299100
Health care9494100
Housing6591100
Transportation107106100
Utilities110107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Darby, PA

Understanding the cost of living in Darby can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Darby cost of living index is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Darby is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Darby Affordable?

Wondering if Darby is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Darby, for example, the median home price is 57.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 16.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Darby boasting a median household income of $40,423, which is 26.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Darby?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Darby, the housing index is 35.2% lower than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Darby, the transportation index is 6.7% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Darby cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Darby is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Darby is 8% lower than the national average
  • Darby housing is 35% lower than the national average
  • Pennsylvania general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Pennsylvania state income tax is 18% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Darby

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Compare Darby, PA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$57,986$4,832$1,353$1,740
      Renters$27,925$2,327$652$838
      The affordability of the housing market in Darby, PA as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Darby homeowners, the median income is $57,986. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,353 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $27,925. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $652 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Pennsylvania Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Pennsylvania 6% 8%

      Pennsylvania Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Pennsylvania 3.07% 3.07%

      Goods & Services

      Item Darby National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.54$24.263.0%
      Beauty Salon $66.27$45.5645.4%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.52$1.2818.4%
      Movie $13.75$12.1313.3%
      Bowling $19.47$18.008.1%

      Groceries

      Item Darby National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.4%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.0%
      Potatoes $5.37$4.938.8%
      Pizza $11.73$12.092.9%
      Beer $11.99$10.4115.2%

      Health Care

      Item Darby National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.50$125.681.7%
      Doctor $132.56$135.782.4%
      Dentist $103.31$113.298.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.22$10.655.3%
      Lipitor $398.10$468.6015.0%

      Housing

      Item Darby National avg. Difference
      Home Price $78,700.00$184,700.0057.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,169.88$2,346.697.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,107.00$949.0016.6%

      Transportation

      Item Darby National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.53$3.462.0%
      Tire Balancing $70.89$59.9218.3%

      Utilities

      Item Darby National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $222.45$193.9914.7%
      Phone $198.27$192.253.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Arcadia University, PA5951043.8%
      Tavistock, NJ51043.8%
      Cheyney University, PA1941044.4%
      Prospect Park CDP, PA2248217.9%
      Audubon Park, NJ9698712.8%
      Darby, PA10,711927.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cold Springs, NV10,70411717.3%
      Pleasanton, TX10,703955.2%
      Memphis, FL10,702990.8%
      Soquel, CA10,72118080.3%
      Woodbury, NY10,70013333.4%
      Darby, PA10,711927.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.