Research / Most affordable ZIP codes
Most affordable ZIP codes in Pennsylvania
Ranked by the SkaldMaps Cost of Living Index, lowest first. 100 is about the national level; lower values indicate lower estimated costs.
How we rank lowest cost of living
The Cost of Living Index combines the local cost of everyday goods and services with the estimated cost of owning a typical listed home, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These measures are combined and compared with a national baseline.
100 is about the national level. Below 100, a homebuyer's money goes further; above 100, it goes less far.
It reflects homes for sale today, not what current owners pay, so it needs listing data: ZIPs without enough listings are not ranked. It does not include income, so a low index does not mean local wages cover local costs.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 993 Pennsylvania ZIPs qualify.
Pennsylvania ZIP codes ranked by lowest cost of living
1ZIP 15901Johnstown
Pennsylvania
- Cost of living index
- 55.8
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 49°F
- Avg. commute
- 17 min
2ZIP 15722Carrolltown
Pennsylvania
- Cost of living index
- 56.0
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 49°F
- Avg. commute
- 24 min
3ZIP 15942Johnstown
Pennsylvania
- Cost of living index
- 57.7
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 49°F
- Avg. commute
- 26 min
4ZIP 15906Johnstown
Pennsylvania
- Cost of living index
- 58.2
- ZIP population
- ~10k
- Avg. temperature
- 49°F
- Avg. commute
- 23 min
5ZIP 15902Johnstown
Pennsylvania
- Cost of living index
- 58.9
- ZIP population
- ~11k
- Avg. temperature
- 49°F
- Avg. commute
- 19 min
6ZIP 15943Nanty-Glo
Pennsylvania
- Cost of living index
- 60.1
- ZIP population
- ~4k
- Avg. temperature
- 48°F
- Avg. commute
- 31 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | Cost of living index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 16668 | Patton | Cambria County | 62.9 |
| #8 | 15714 | Northern Cambria | Cambria County | 63.1 |
| #9 | 15033 | Donora | Washington County | 63.5 |
| #10 | 16639 | Fallentimber | Cambria County | 64.1 |
| #11 | 15148 | Wilmerding | Allegheny County | 64.2 |
| #12 | 15946 | Portage | Cambria County | 64.4 |
| #13 | 15468 | New Salem | Fayette County | 64.7 |
| #14 | 15110 | Duquesne | Allegheny County | 64.9 |
| #15 | 15104 | North Braddock | Allegheny County | 65.2 |
| #16 | 16121 | Farrell | Mercer County | 65.3 |
| #17 | 15022 | Charleroi | Washington County | 65.5 |
| #18 | 15442 | Brownsville | Fayette County | 66.0 |
| #19 | 15444 | Brownsville | Fayette County | 66.0 |
| #20 | 17866 | Shamokin | Northumberland County | 66.2 |
| #21 | 16503 | Erie | Erie County | 66.6 |
| #22 | 16641 | Cresson | Cambria County | 66.6 |
| #23 | 17851 | Mount Carmel | Northumberland County | 66.9 |
| #24 | 17872 | Shamokin | Northumberland County | 67.1 |
| #25 | 15132 | Mckeesport | Allegheny County | 67.2 |
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More Pennsylvania research
Best ZIP codes for schools
Ranked by school quality index
- Pennsylvania median ZIP
- 52.4
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 36.9 to 65.7
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- Pennsylvania median ZIP
- 26.7 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 20.5 min to 33.4 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- Pennsylvania median ZIP
- 93.9
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 87.2 to 98.8
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- Pennsylvania median ZIP
- 88.4%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 79.6% to 95.5%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- Pennsylvania median ZIP
- 51.6°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 48.2°F to 54.3°F