Carbondale, PA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Carbondale, PA Summary

Cost of living in Carbondale research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Carbondale is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Pennsylvania, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Carbondale is 86, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Carbondale is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Carbondale ranks as the #28 cheapest in Pennsylvania out of 255.

  • Carbondale ranks as the #639 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Carbondale is $139,192.

  • The median income in Carbondale is $48,592.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
86
Carbondale's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Carbondale, PA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Carbondale has an overall cost of living index of 86, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Pennsylvania, Carbondale has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Pennsylvania's index of 100.

The standard of living in Carbondale ranks as #28 most affordable out of the 255 places we measured in Pennsylvania. By definition, that implies Carbondale ranks as the #227 most expensive place in the Keystone State.

For more reading on life in Carbondale, check out:

28 out of 255
In Pennsylvania
639 out of 6,489
In America

Carbondale Cost Of Living Vs. Pennsylvania

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Carbondale. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Carbondale is 93.

  • The Groceries index in Carbondale is 97.

  • The Health index in Carbondale is 99.

  • The Housing index in Carbondale is 60.

  • The Transportation index in Carbondale is 96.

  • The Utilities index in Carbondale is 107.

Living Expense Carbondale Pennsylvania National Average
Overall 86 100 100
Services 93 101 100
Groceries 97 101 100
Health 99 95 100
Housing 60 93 100
Transportation 96 108 100
Utilities 107 108 100
For more reading on cost of living around Pennsylvania, check out:
Carbondale Cost of Living Vs. PA

Carbondale, PA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Pennsylvania, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Carbondale is $139,192.

  • The Median Rent in Carbondale is $788.

  • The Median Income in Carbondale is $48,592.

  • The Home Value To Income in Carbondale is 2.9x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Carbondale is 0.19x.

Statistic Carbondale Pennsylvania United States
Median Home Value $139,192 $281,782 $303,400
Median Rent $788 $1,162 $1,348
Median Income $48,592 $76,081 $78,538
Home Value To Income 2.9x 3.7x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.19x 0.18x 0.21x
$139,192
Median Home Value
$788
Median Rent
$48,592
Median Income

Carbondale, PA Costs By Category

Detailed Carbondale Services Costs Vs. Pennsylvania

Item Carbondale Pennsylvania
Shampoo $1.53 $1.28
Movie $10.2 $12.13
Bowling $13.92 $18
Haircut $15.07 $24.26
Beauty Salon $34.93 $45.56

Detailed Carbondale Groceries Costs Vs. Pennsylvania

Item Carbondale Pennsylvania
Ground Beef $5.7 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.36 $1.57
Milk $4.59 $4.67
Potatoes $5.35 $4.93
Pizza $9.94 $12.09
Beer $11.82 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.62 $3.7

Detailed Carbondale Health Costs Vs. Pennsylvania

Item Carbondale Pennsylvania
Optometrist $107.51 $125.68
Doctor $98.82 $135.78
Dentist $136.17 $113.29

Detailed Carbondale Transportation Costs Vs. Pennsylvania

Item Carbondale Pennsylvania
Gasoline $3.64 $3.46
Tire Balancing $42.06 $59.92

Detailed Carbondale Utilities Costs Vs. Pennsylvania

Item Carbondale Pennsylvania
All Electricity $205.85 $193.99
Phone $196.0 $192.25

Carbondale SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8
Diversity
6
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Carbondale

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Carbondale. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Scranton, PA has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Carbondale.

  • Dickson, TN has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Carbondale.

  • Dunmore, PA has a cost of living index of 96, 1.1x Carbondale.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Carbondale
Scranton, PA 76,074 90 1.0x
Dickson, TN 16,246 92 1.1x
Dunmore, PA 14,123 96 1.1x
Forest, VA 12,476 105 1.2x
Old Forge, PA 8,533 95 1.1x
Archbald, PA 7,348 95 1.1x
Blakely, PA 6,661 97 1.1x
Taylor, PA 6,261 93 1.1x
Moosic, PA 5,954 96 1.1x
Olyphant, PA 5,370 91 1.1x

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