A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
26%
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 Kingston Pennsylvania National
Cost of living9298100
Goods & Services9699100
Groceries10299100
Health care9194100
Housing7491100
Transportation108106100
Utilities105107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kingston, PA

Knowing the cost of living in Kingston allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Kingston stands at 92, marking it 8% lower than the national average.

In Kingston, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Kingston will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Kingston Affordable?

Is Kingston an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Kingston, the median home price is 31.3% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 13% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Kingston come in at $49,888, which is 9.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kingston?

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Kingston, the utilities index registers 5% higher than the national average.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Kingston, the transportation index is 8.4% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Kingston 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 Kingston is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Kingston is 8% lower than the national average
  • Kingston housing is 26% 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 Kingston

See all the best places to live around Kingston

Compare Kingston, PA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$78,455$6,538$1,830$2,354
      Renters$27,345$2,279$638$820
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Kingston, PA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Kingston have a median income of $78,455. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,830 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $27,345, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $638.

      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 Kingston 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 Kingston 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 Kingston 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 Kingston National avg. Difference
      Home Price $126,900.00$184,700.0031.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,439.22$2,346.6938.7%
      Apartment Rent $826.00$949.0013.0%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Kingston 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.
      Plymouth, PA5,7808415.8%
      Glen Lyon, PA2,9298415.5%
      Ashley, PA2,7368515.5%
      Shickshinny, PA6148515.2%
      Nanticoke, PA10,2968514.5%
      Kingston, PA12,859927.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Key Biscayne, FL12,867260160.0%
      South Sioux City, NE12,8678613.9%
      Willow Grove, PA12,88111515.4%
      Joppatowne, MD12,83311414.0%
      Cedar Lake, IN12,830973.3%
      Kingston, PA12,859927.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.