A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
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 Berwick Pennsylvania National
Cost of living8898100
Goods & Services9699100
Groceries10299100
Health care9194100
Housing5891100
Transportation108106100
Utilities105107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Berwick, PA

Understanding the cost of living in Berwick 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 Berwick cost of living index is 88, which is 12% 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.

It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Berwick stands out by reporting housing costs that are 41.8% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.

Is Berwick Affordable?

Is Berwick affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Berwick, the median home price is 43.9% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 36.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Berwick boasting a median household income of $42,424, 23.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Berwick?

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.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Berwick, healthcare costs are 9.4% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Berwick, the utilities index stands at 5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Berwick displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Berwick is 11% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Berwick is 12% lower than the national average
  • Berwick 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 Berwick

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Compare Berwick, 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$56,294$4,691$1,313$1,689
      Renters$26,517$2,210$619$796
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Berwick, 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 Berwick homeowners, is $56,294. This would allow for a maximum of $1,313 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $26,517 which would result in a maximum of $619 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 Berwick National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.86$24.262.5%
      Beauty Salon $36.67$45.5619.5%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.9%
      Movie $9.90$12.1318.4%
      Bowling $17.39$18.003.4%

      Groceries

      Item Berwick National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.93$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.53$1.572.7%
      Milk $4.58$4.672.0%
      Potatoes $5.36$4.938.7%
      Pizza $10.88$12.0910.0%
      Beer $13.28$10.4127.5%

      Health Care

      Item Berwick National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $83.44$125.6833.6%
      Doctor $105.97$135.7822.0%
      Dentist $109.14$113.293.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.75$10.650.9%
      Lipitor $493.33$468.605.3%

      Housing

      Item Berwick National avg. Difference
      Home Price $103,600.00$184,700.0043.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,439.22$2,346.6938.7%
      Apartment Rent $599.00$949.0036.9%

      Transportation

      Item Berwick National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.69$3.466.6%
      Tire Balancing $67.65$59.9212.9%

      Utilities

      Item Berwick National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $207.34$193.996.9%
      Phone $195.27$192.251.6%
      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.
      Slabtown, PA1591000.1%
      Delano, PA2217722.7%
      Weston, PA3168416.1%
      Glen Lyon, PA2,9298415.5%
      McAdoo, PA2,6318515.2%
      Berwick, PA10,0038812.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Galion, OH10,0038515.2%
      Hampton, NH10,00213939.0%
      Hinton, AB10,000n/a 
      Clinton, TN10,0069010.3%
      Ventnor City, NJ9,99511414.3%
      Berwick, PA10,0038812.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.