B+
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
5%
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 Norristown Pennsylvania National
Cost of living10198100
Goods & Services10399100
Groceries10299100
Health care9494100
Housing9591100
Transportation107106100
Utilities110107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Norristown, PA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Norristown? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Norristown stands at 101, making it 1% higher 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.

The cost of living in Norristown aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Norristown residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Norristown Affordable?

Is Norristown an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Norristown, the median home price is 14% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 16.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Norristown come in at $54,409, which is 1.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Norristown?

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 Norristown, the housing index is 4.8% lower than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Norristown, the utilities index registers 10.4% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Norristown, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Norristown is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Norristown is 1% higher than the national average
  • Norristown housing is 5% 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 Norristown

See all the best places to live around Norristown

Compare Norristown, 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$77,166$6,431$1,800$2,315
      Renters$38,434$3,203$897$1,153
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Norristown, PA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Norristown, the median monthly income is $77,166 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,800 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $38,434, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $897 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Norristown 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 Norristown 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 Norristown 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 Norristown National avg. Difference
      Home Price $158,900.00$184,700.0014.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,169.88$2,346.697.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,106.00$949.0016.5%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Norristown 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%
      Cheyney University, PA1941044.4%
      Camden, NJ73,742919.1%
      Colwyn, PA2,541918.7%
      Darby, PA10,711927.9%
      Norristown, PA34,3921011.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      University CDP (Orange County), FL34,379927.5%
      Montgomery Village, MD34,41312525.2%
      Georgetown, KY34,362991.5%
      University City, MO34,3361065.8%
      Socorro, TX34,3298415.7%
      Norristown, PA34,3921011.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.