A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
34%
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 St. Marys Pennsylvania National
Cost of living9098100
Goods & Services9799100
Groceries9799100
Health care8994100
Housing6691100
Transportation114106100
Utilities109107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in St. Marys, PA

Knowing the cost of living in St. Marys allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in St. Marys stands at 90, marking it 10% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in St. Marys 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. St. Marys 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 St. Marys Affordable?

Wondering if St. Marys 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 St. Marys, for example, the median home price is 34.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 31.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with St. Marys boasting a median household income of $54,950, which is 0.7% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in St. Marys?

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In St. Marys, the groceries index is 3% lower 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.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in St. Marys, 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 St. Marys is 8% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in St. Marys is 10% lower than the national average
  • St. Marys housing is 34% 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 St. Marys

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Compare St. Marys, 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$70,712$5,893$1,650$2,122
      Renters$28,731$2,394$670$862
      The affordability of the housing market in St. Marys, 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 St. Marys homeowners, the median income is $70,712. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,650 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $28,731. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $670 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 St. Marys National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.02$24.2617.5%
      Beauty Salon $45.08$45.561.1%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.701.9%
      Shampoo $1.42$1.2810.7%
      Movie $10.18$12.1316.1%
      Bowling $12.76$18.0029.1%

      Groceries

      Item St. Marys National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.35$5.848.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.33$1.5715.2%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.46$4.9310.7%
      Pizza $9.45$12.0921.9%
      Beer $8.99$10.4113.7%

      Health Care

      Item St. Marys National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $99.22$125.6821.1%
      Doctor $124.54$135.788.3%
      Dentist $103.83$113.298.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.32$10.653.1%
      Lipitor $368.67$468.6021.3%

      Housing

      Item St. Marys National avg. Difference
      Home Price $120,400.00$184,700.0034.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,318.94$2,346.6943.8%
      Apartment Rent $654.00$949.0031.1%

      Transportation

      Item St. Marys National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.68$3.466.4%
      Tire Balancing $79.53$59.9232.7%

      Utilities

      Item St. Marys National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $218.99$193.9912.9%
      Phone $196.00$192.252.0%
      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.
      Force, PA2377921.4%
      Byrnedale, PA5888218.4%
      Wilcox, PA3538218.2%
      Johnsonburg, PA2,3048218.0%
      James City, PA2508317.0%
      St. Marys, PA12,333909.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      New Baltimore, MI12,3331054.6%
      Gulfport, FL12,3341032.9%
      Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA12,331265164.8%
      Streator, IL12,3378613.8%
      Lincolnwood, IL12,33813838.4%
      St. Marys, PA12,333909.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.