Cost of Living in Swarthmore, PA

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F
30%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
101%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Swarthmore Pennsylvania National
Cost of living13097100
Groceries100100100
Health care9899100
Housing20190100
Transportation97101100
Utilities9899100
Lifestyle & Entertainment102100100
Household Items10299100
Education & Childcare99101100
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Homes For Sale In Swarthmore, PA

property for sale

13-15 S Chester Rd

Swarthmore, PA
property for sale

107 Rutgers Ave Unit G1

Swarthmore, PA
property for sale

801 Yale Ave #511

Swarthmore, PA
property for sale

1413 Blackrock Rd

Swarthmore, PA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Swarthmore is 34% higher than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Swarthmore is 30% higher than the national average
  • Swarthmore housing is 101% higher 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 Swarthmore

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$228,000$19,000$5,320$6,841
      Renters$74,035$6,170$1,727$2,221
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Swarthmore, 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 Swarthmore homeowners, is $228,000. This would allow for a maximum of $5,320 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $74,035 which would result in a maximum of $1,727 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%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Arcadia University, PA6091000.1%
      Cheyney University, PA198990.8%
      Prospect Park CDP, PA2337921.0%
      Audubon Park, NJ1,003927.9%
      Chester, PA35,1178613.9%
      Swarthmore, PA6,53113029.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lynchburg, Moore County, TN6,531981.8%
      Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL6,53017069.7%
      Shannon, QC6,530n/a 
      Dillon, SC6,5299010.3%
      Carrollton, VA6,53312524.9%
      Swarthmore, PA6,53113029.6%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
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