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Cost of Living in Dauphin County, PA

Population 289,593 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,217
Median home value$236,400
Median household income$76,242

The median rent in Dauphin County, PA is $1,217/month, about the same as the Pennsylvania median and 14% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $236,400, 29% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $76,242 a year, 2% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 19.2%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $48,680/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.1×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,195/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Dauphin County vs. Pennsylvania vs. U.S.

Dauphin CountyPennsylvaniaU.S.
Median rent$1,217$1,209$1,413
Median home value$236,400$254,500$332,700
Median household income$76,242$77,971$80,734
Homeownership rate63.1%69.3%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher34.4%35.2%35.7%
Poverty rate12.9%11.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.5%5.3%5.2%
Work from home16.8%15.6%15.1%
Median age39.440.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Dauphin County, PA?

The median gross rent in Dauphin County, PA is $1,217 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Dauphin County, PA?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $48,680 a year in gross income.

Is Dauphin County, PA expensive to live in?

Rent there is 14% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.1 times the median household income.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County, PARent $1,397 · Income $61,953Allegheny County, PARent $1,153 · Income $78,548Montgomery County, PARent $1,683 · Income $113,915Bucks County, PARent $1,605 · Income $114,764Delaware County, PARent $1,372 · Income $89,546Lancaster County, PARent $1,357 · Income $86,959

Counties with a similar cost of living

Cowlitz County, WARent $1,206 · Income $76,531Colonial Heights city, VARent $1,234 · Income $76,505Macomb County, MIRent $1,211 · Income $77,837Walla Walla County, WARent $1,218 · Income $74,202Hamilton County, TNRent $1,253 · Income $76,183Missoula County, MTRent $1,190 · Income $75,598

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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