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City Housing Verdict

Brookhaven, PA

Manageable

The cost of living in Brookhaven, PA is 1% below the national average (Cost Index: 99). Homes here are typically valued around $259,705, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $96,393 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Brookhaven looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 19% rent burden, 2.7x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 86. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Brookhaven.

Monthly Housing
$1,557/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
19%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$5,976/mo
After housing and debt · $1,992/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: property tax
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 26%
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Cost Index
99
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$259,705
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $265,500
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,557/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$96,393
National: $78,538
Population
8,288
Purchasing Power
124
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
86 / 100
14% below average
Rent Index
116 / 100
16% above average
Goods & Groceries
97 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
114 / 100
14% higher utility bills
Healthcare & Services
103 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
99
Average

Brookhaven Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $259,705 and Pennsylvania's property tax rate of 1.58%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$96,393
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
19%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
2.7x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Brookhaven looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Brookhaven, PA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$4,103
Monthly Impact
$342
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.58%
National avg: ~1.00%

Pennsylvania Place Tax Context

Tax TypePennsylvaniaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.58%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate3.07%~5.0%
State Sales Tax6.34%~5.0%

Compare Brookhaven to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Brookhaven, PA
99
116
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Brookhaven, PA: 86
Rent Prices
116

FAQ: Living in Brookhaven

What is the cost of living like in Brookhaven, PA?+

Living costs in Brookhaven land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 99 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $259,705, and typical monthly rents run around $1,557. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.

How does Brookhaven fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,557, while local median household income is $96,393. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 19% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Brookhaven, PA?+

Pennsylvania has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 3.07%. The effective property tax rate is 1.58%. On a home worth $259,705, that translates to roughly $4,103 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 6.34% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Brookhaven, PA?+

The typical monthly rent in Brookhaven is around $1,557. That's about 16% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $259,705, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Brookhaven, PA?+

The median home in Brookhaven is valued at $259,705. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,313/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 87% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Brookhaven?+

Grocery prices in Brookhaven are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 97, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 114). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Brookhaven, PA like to live in?+

Brookhaven is a small town with a population of about 8,288. The median age of residents is 43, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 3.39%, well below the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Pennsylvania

If Brookhaven feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Pennsylvania

Use these city pages when you want to compare Brookhaven against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly