Cost of Living in Jim Thorpe, PA

With a cost of living index of 74, Jim Thorpe, PA is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 26% cheaper than the national average and 9% below the Pennsylvania state average of 83. Jim Thorpe is a small community of 4,534 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Jim Thorpe's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $831 (37% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $177,400 (42% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.5x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Jim Thorpe is $70,625, which is 6% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 14% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.