A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
42%
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 West Mifflin Pennsylvania National
Cost of living8898100
Goods & Services9399100
Groceries10099100
Health care9194100
Housing5891100
Transportation107106100
Utilities125107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in West Mifflin, PA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in West Mifflin is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in West Mifflin is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, West Mifflin distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 42.3% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of West Mifflin can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.

Is West Mifflin Affordable?

Wondering if West Mifflin 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 West Mifflin, for example, the median home price is 46.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 32.9% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with West Mifflin boasting a median household income of $54,474, which is 1.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in West Mifflin?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In West Mifflin, the groceries index is 0.3% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In West Mifflin, healthcare costs are 8.6% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in West Mifflin comes in at 25.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The West Mifflin 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 West Mifflin is 10% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in West Mifflin is 12% lower than the national average
  • West Mifflin housing is 42% 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 West Mifflin

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Compare West Mifflin, 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$65,184$5,432$1,521$1,956
      Renters$34,031$2,836$794$1,021
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in West Mifflin, PA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for West Mifflin homeowners, is $65,184. This would allow for a maximum of $1,521 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $34,031 which would result in a maximum of $794 to be spent on rental 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 West Mifflin 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 West Mifflin 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 West Mifflin 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 West Mifflin National avg. Difference
      Home Price $99,200.00$184,700.0046.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,225.61$2,346.695.2%
      Apartment Rent $637.00$949.0032.9%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item West Mifflin 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%
      Harrison City, PA781010.8%
      Wyano, PA5911010.8%
      Webster, PA781010.8%
      North Braddock, PA4,7038119.5%
      West Mifflin, PA19,7428812.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Niskayuna, NY19,74111615.6%
      Shafter, CA19,74311211.5%
      Sherwood, OR19,74514039.8%
      Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC19,745n/a 
      Blythe, CA19,747964.3%
      West Mifflin, PA19,7428812.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.