| Index | York | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 57 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 101 | 100 |

The cost of living in York affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in York is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, York distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 43.2% 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 York can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.
Is York an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in York is 57.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. York has a median household income of $53,149, which is 34.7% 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 York, healthcare costs are 0.5% lower than the national average.
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 York, the housing index is 43.2% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In York, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 3.07%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for York are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $79,690 | $6,641 | $1,859 | $2,391 |
| Renters | $40,664 | $3,389 | $949 | $1,220 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Messiah College, PA | 2,118 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Jefferson borough (Greene County), PA | 258 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Valley View CDP (Schuylkill County), PA | 1,624 | 89 | 11.5% |
| Midway, PA | 1,044 | 89 | 11.3% |
| New Salem CDP, PA | 455 | 89 | 11.2% |
| York, PA | 45,108 | 87 | 13.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Channelview, TX | 45,083 | 94 | 6.1% |
| Concord, NH | 45,076 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Cutler Bay, FL | 45,068 | 123 | 22.7% |
| Altamonte Springs, FL | 45,050 | 106 | 6.3% |
| El Centro, CA | 45,037 | 111 | 11.3% |
| York, PA | 45,108 | 87 | 13.0% |