C
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
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 Phoenixville Pennsylvania National
Cost of living11398100
Goods & Services10399100
Groceries10299100
Health care9494100
Housing13691100
Transportation107106100
Utilities110107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Phoenixville, PA

The cost of living in Phoenixville 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 Phoenixville is 113, which is 13% higher 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 significantly influence the Phoenixville cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 36.2%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Phoenixville Affordable?

Is Phoenixville affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Phoenixville, for instance, where the median home price falls 40.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 26.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Phoenixville flaunting a median household income of $85,550, 54.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Phoenixville?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Phoenixville, the transportation index is 6.7% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Phoenixville, the groceries index is 2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Phoenixville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Phoenixville is 16% higher than the Pennsylvania average
  • The cost of living in Phoenixville is 13% higher than the national average
  • Phoenixville housing is 36% 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 Phoenixville

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Compare Phoenixville, 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$109,205$9,100$2,548$3,276
      Renters$66,611$5,551$1,554$1,999
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Phoenixville 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. Phoenixville has a median income of about $109,205 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,548 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $66,611. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,554 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 Phoenixville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.54$24.263.0%
      Beauty Salon $66.27$45.5645.4%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.52$1.2818.4%
      Movie $13.75$12.1313.3%
      Bowling $19.47$18.008.1%

      Groceries

      Item Phoenixville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.4%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.0%
      Potatoes $5.37$4.938.8%
      Pizza $11.73$12.092.9%
      Beer $11.99$10.4115.2%

      Health Care

      Item Phoenixville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.50$125.681.7%
      Doctor $132.56$135.782.4%
      Dentist $103.31$113.298.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.22$10.655.3%
      Lipitor $398.10$468.6015.0%

      Housing

      Item Phoenixville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $258,900.00$184,700.0040.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,169.88$2,346.697.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,204.00$949.0026.9%

      Transportation

      Item Phoenixville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.53$3.462.0%
      Tire Balancing $70.89$59.9218.3%

      Utilities

      Item Phoenixville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $222.45$193.9914.7%
      Phone $198.27$192.253.1%
      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.
      Cheyney University, PA1941044.4%
      Darby, PA10,711927.9%
      Eagleville CDP (Centre County), PA423964.4%
      Yeadon, PA11,495973.5%
      Pottstown, PA22,633973.1%
      Phoenixville, PA16,96111313.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Islip, NY16,96514039.5%
      Edmundston, NB16,970n/a 
      Ojus, FL16,9721088.0%
      Poplar Bluff, MO16,9798217.6%
      La Marque, TX16,983918.9%
      Phoenixville, PA16,96111313.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.