A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
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 Bloomsburg Pennsylvania National
Cost of living9598100
Goods & Services9699100
Groceries10299100
Health care9194100
Housing8291100
Transportation108106100
Utilities105107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bloomsburg, PA

The cost of living in Bloomsburg 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 Bloomsburg is 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Bloomsburg is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Bloomsburg Affordable?

Wondering if Bloomsburg 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 Bloomsburg, for example, the median home price is 18.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 17.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bloomsburg boasting a median household income of $41,035, which is 25.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bloomsburg?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, 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. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Bloomsburg, the groceries index registers 2.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Bloomsburg cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 Bloomsburg is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Bloomsburg is 5% lower than the national average
  • Bloomsburg housing is 18% 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 Bloomsburg

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Compare Bloomsburg, 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$68,073$5,673$1,588$2,042
      Renters$31,719$2,643$740$952
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Bloomsburg, PA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Bloomsburg, the median monthly income is $68,073 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,588 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $31,719, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $740 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Bloomsburg 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 Bloomsburg 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 Bloomsburg 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 Bloomsburg National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,100.00$184,700.0018.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,439.22$2,346.6938.7%
      Apartment Rent $785.00$949.0017.3%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Bloomsburg 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.
      Wilburton Number Two, PA761000.1%
      Centralia, PA01043.7%
      Slabtown, PA1591000.1%
      Strong, PA1931043.7%
      Shenandoah, PA4,7897821.6%
      Bloomsburg, PA13,916955.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hazel Crest, IL13,918981.8%
      Hudson, WI13,9121098.7%
      Loveland, OH13,9111066.1%
      Pierre, SD13,908937.2%
      Sauk Rapids, MN13,9261011.0%
      Bloomsburg, PA13,916955.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.