A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
36%
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 Lebanon Pennsylvania National
Cost of living9298100
Goods & Services10799100
Groceries9999100
Health care11094100
Housing6491100
Transportation108106100
Utilities93107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lebanon, PA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lebanon is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Lebanon is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Lebanon are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Lebanon can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Lebanon Affordable?

Wondering if Lebanon 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 Lebanon, for example, the median home price is 46.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.5% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Lebanon boasting a median household income of $40,380, which is 27% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lebanon?

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Lebanon, the transportation index is 8.4% higher than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Lebanon, the housing index comes in at 36.5% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Lebanon 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 Lebanon is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Lebanon is 8% lower than the national average
  • Lebanon housing is 36% 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 Lebanon

See all the best places to live around Lebanon

Compare Lebanon, 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$51,275$4,273$1,196$1,538
      Renters$35,021$2,918$817$1,051
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Lebanon is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Lebanon has a median income of about $51,275 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,196 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $35,021. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $817 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.17$24.267.9%
      Beauty Salon $40.39$45.5611.4%
      Toothpaste $3.77$3.701.9%
      Shampoo $1.43$1.2811.4%
      Movie $12.52$12.133.2%
      Bowling $15.56$18.0013.6%

      Groceries

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.65$5.843.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.578.0%
      Milk $4.49$4.673.8%
      Potatoes $5.37$4.938.8%
      Pizza $11.67$12.093.4%
      Beer $11.13$10.416.9%

      Health Care

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.25$125.681.9%
      Doctor $177.40$135.7830.7%
      Dentist $118.44$113.294.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.64$10.650.2%
      Lipitor $469.00$468.600.1%

      Housing

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Home Price $99,100.00$184,700.0046.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,026.41$2,346.6913.6%
      Apartment Rent $821.00$949.0013.5%

      Transportation

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.66$3.465.7%
      Tire Balancing $68.88$59.9215.0%

      Utilities

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $169.62$193.9912.6%
      Phone $195.81$192.251.9%
      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.
      Rehrersburg, PA1941043.7%
      Fort Indiantown Gap, PA641043.7%
      Bethel, PA5001043.7%
      Brownstown borough, PA7998515.0%
      Pine Grove, PA2,0889010.1%
      Lebanon, PA25,779928.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Holbrook, NY25,79414242.0%
      Beloeil, QC25,755n/a 
      Hanahan, SC25,7431098.6%
      Kankakee, IL25,8188415.9%
      Mercer Island, WA25,820261161.2%
      Lebanon, PA25,779928.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.