Wilkes-Barre, PA
Your dollar goes further in Wilkes-Barre, PA — everyday costs run about 19% below the national average (Cost Index: 81). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $171,246, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $47,970 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.
Wilkes-Barre looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 23% rent burden, 3.6x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 56. 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
Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Wilkes-Barre.
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.
Wilkes-Barre Mortgage Calculator
Pre-filled with the local median home value of $171,246 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.
Property Tax in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Pennsylvania Place Tax Context
Compare Wilkes-Barre 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.
Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)
FAQ: Living in Wilkes-Barre
Is Wilkes-Barre, PA an affordable place to live?+
Yes — everyday expenses in Wilkes-Barre run about 19% below the US average (Cost Index: 81). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $171,246, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $939, versus $1,348 nationally.
How does Wilkes-Barre fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $939, while local median household income is $47,970. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 23% 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 Wilkes-Barre, 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 $171,246, that translates to roughly $2,706 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 6.34% on everyday purchases.
How much does it cost to rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?+
The typical monthly rent in Wilkes-Barre is around $939. That's roughly 30% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $171,246, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Wilkes-Barre, PA?+
The median home in Wilkes-Barre is valued at $171,246. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $866/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 49% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Wilkes-Barre?+
Grocery prices in Wilkes-Barre are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 101, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 107). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Wilkes-Barre, PA like to live in?+
Wilkes-Barre is a smaller city with a population of about 44,217. The median age of residents is 35.3, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 21.14%, above the national average of 12.4%.
Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Pennsylvania
If Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.
More Cities in Pennsylvania
View All Pennsylvania Cities →- 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)