A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
59%
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 McKeesport Pennsylvania National
Cost of living8398100
Goods & Services9399100
Groceries10099100
Health care9194100
Housing4191100
Transportation107106100
Utilities125107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in McKeesport, PA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in McKeesport? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in McKeesport stands at 83, making it 17% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

McKeesport housing costs are 59.1% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, McKeesport residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Is McKeesport Affordable?

Is McKeesport affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take McKeesport, for instance, where the median home price falls 72.3% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 28.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with McKeesport flaunting a median household income of $28,881, 47.8% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in McKeesport?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In McKeesport, the transportation index is 7.4% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in McKeesport starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 3.07%.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The McKeesport 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. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in McKeesport is 15% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in McKeesport is 17% lower than the national average
  • McKeesport housing is 59% 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 McKeesport

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Compare McKeesport, PA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$42,669$3,556$996$1,280
      Renters$20,991$1,749$490$630
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in McKeesport, PA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in McKeesport have a median income of $42,669. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $996 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $20,991, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $490.

      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 McKeesport National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.73$24.262.2%
      Beauty Salon $40.40$45.5611.3%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.288.5%
      Movie $11.77$12.133.0%
      Bowling $16.24$18.009.8%

      Groceries

      Item McKeesport National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.70$5.842.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.6%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.47$4.9310.8%
      Pizza $12.83$12.096.2%
      Beer $10.58$10.411.6%

      Health Care

      Item McKeesport National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $109.26$125.6813.1%
      Doctor $100.92$135.7825.7%
      Dentist $110.50$113.292.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.45$10.651.9%
      Lipitor $502.54$468.607.2%

      Housing

      Item McKeesport National avg. Difference
      Home Price $51,200.00$184,700.0072.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,225.61$2,346.695.2%
      Apartment Rent $680.00$949.0028.3%

      Transportation

      Item McKeesport National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.73$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $64.05$59.926.9%

      Utilities

      Item McKeesport National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $270.68$193.9939.5%
      Phone $196.77$192.252.4%
      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.
      Van Voorhis, PA4781010.8%
      Wyano, PA5911010.8%
      Webster, PA781010.8%
      Harrison City, PA781010.8%
      North Braddock, PA4,7038119.5%
      McKeesport, PA19,1288317.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Corner Brook, NL19,117n/a 
      Hermosa Beach, CA19,147290189.8%
      Nanuet, NY19,14814343.0%
      Erlanger, KY19,106954.5%
      South San Jose Hills, CA19,10413737.5%
      McKeesport, PA19,1288317.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.